Based on information from the National Retail Foundation, Tampa Bay consumers will be spending $79 million on Halloween this year.
Typically, 80% of all Halloween shopping, according to the NRF, will occur between now and October 16. The remaining dollars will be spent in the last 14 days leading up to the holiday.
Nearly 53% of consumers in Tampa Bay are expected to participate in Halloween this year, each spending, on average, about $86. This money will go towards the purchase of candy, decorations, costumes, pumpkins, and greeting cards.
Almost every type of small business in Tampa Bay enjoys a taste of this spending. This includes hardware stores, convenience stores, craft stores, fabric stores, thrift stores, florists, card stores, consignment shops, haunted houses, home decor store, bakeries, and, of course, candy stores.
To claim a significant share of this Halloween cash will require local small business owners to advertise. The key to successful advertising is reaching as many Halloween shoppers as possible over the next four weeks.