UK shoppers split on Halloween spending as cost-of-living pressures bite
A Nationwide Building Society survey shows that while a fifth of 25-34-year-olds plan to splurge on Halloween, nearly twice as many across all ages intend to cut back because of rising living costs.
Nationwide Building Society’s latest survey finds a mixed picture for Halloween spending in the UK. Twenty percent of adults aged 25 to 34 intend to increase their outlay compared with last year, while 11% plan to buy Halloween gifts and 28% will stock up for trick-or-treaters. At the same time, 18% of respondents across all age groups say they will cut back due to cost-of-living pressures, double the proportion of those planning to spend more.
Chocolate confectionery prices are 3% lower than a year ago, and pumpkin sales rose 10% to 1.2 million households, with over 250,000 buying pumpkin-spice coffee. Average planned spending is £42 for a themed outing and £38 for costumes and accessories. Experts from Worldpanel and Nationwide warn that shoppers will keep seeking discounts as the autumn budget approaches, and the modest price drop may only partially ease budget strain before the festive season.
Why it matters
Halloween spending reflects broader consumer confidence and how cost-of-living pressures shape holiday budgets.
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