Halloween creeping up to half a billion pounds, GlobalData

Halloween will be worth £491 million to UK retailers in 2018 (up 2.1% on last year), according to GlobalData.

Zoe Mills, Retail Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “More clothing specialists are recognising the appeal of Halloween in the UK, with retailers creating visual displays highlighting Halloween clothing in-store alongside accessories and makeup. The focus this year is clearly on accessorising costumes, with animal-ear headbands available from a number of stores – reminiscent of the 2004 film Mean Girls Halloween scene.”

“Netflix inspires a darker side of the celebrations with a gruesome approach to the event, launching a number of horror programmes in the run up to the occasion. Topshop also continued its partnership with the video-streaming service, teaming up with its Chilling Adventures of Sabrina this year, giving its customers access to the first peak of the new show’s trailer earlier this month.”

Social media continues to influence UK shoppers, with consumers tweeting, snapping or posting their Halloween costumes and home makeovers. “The pumpkin’s purpose in the event has also been revamped this year with more shoppers choosing pumpkin picking as a family leisure activity. New, alternative fruits and vegetables are also set to be carved into ghoulish shapes with butternut squashes and pineapples on the menu this year,” Mills concludes.