Spooky: Spending for Halloween on the rise

Marie Keiser and and Lisa Holm were searching for the perfect Halloween costume.

“I’m going for the zombie, fairy look,” Holm said.

And they’re not alone. A record-breaking 170 million people will in the festivities. That’s more than any year over the past decade.

According to the National Retail Federation, this year, Americans will spend an average of $80 for the Halloween holiday. That’s up 10 percent from last year.

The study breaks it down to $28 on costumes, $23 on decorations and $23 on candy.

The Spirit Shop managers say Halloween only comes once a year, so people shouldn’t be afraid to spend on all the goodies.

“Halloween is the No. 2 holiday for spending, so people are spending more money,” said the manager at the Bend Spirit store. “They spend a ton on Christmas and, they’re picking up more for Halloween. It’s the one day of the year you can actually express yourself.”

The reason for the spending spree might have to do with Halloween being on a Wednesday. Some will have a different costume for weekend festivities, and then actual Halloween night, which means more spending.

Store owners also say the most important thing to invest in is a glow stick or reflective tape to keep kids safe when out tick-or-treating.