The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a crimp in Americans’ Halloween plans.
More than three-quarters of Americans say the virus is impacting their celebration plans, with overall participation down to 58%, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. Consumer spending is expected to reach $8.05 billion, down from $8.78 billion in 2019, due to the drop in participation.
Plans for parties, trick-or-treating, handing out candy and visiting haunted houses have all dropped, due largely to the fact that some activities do not easily adhere to social distancing. Still, more than 148 million U.S. adults plan to participate in Halloween-related activities. Among those celebrants, safe at-home activities ranked highest: 53% plan to decorate their homes, 46% plan to carve a pumpkin and 18% will dress up their pet.
Source: Chain Storeage