Halloween Promises Boost to Struggling Economy

[ElfBot]

An economy that was once shatteredby the collapse of one housing market may in fact be resurrected by another -the haunted housing market. According to the Haunted House Association,(www.hauntedhouseassociation.org), a collectiveof the most successful and renowned haunted houses and attractions in thecountry, money spent this fall on national Halloween Attractions are expectedto pump over $1 [...]

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[Wenceslaus]

The article claims, "Halloween is now the second biggest retail holiday in America behind Christmas". But Snopes says: False. Halloween isn't even in the top five. And the idea that the housing market could be "resurrected" by people visiting haunted attractions this fall is ridiculous. Someone needs a cold splash of reality about the size and nature of the problem.

 

[Ryan4Christmas]

I'm not sure if I agree with the "halloween isnt in the top 5" I believe it is, it's a great fun holiday and there's a lot to do around it then just trick or treating, lol

 

[Wenceslaus]

Did you click through to the Snopes link? It's not a question of whether Halloween is a great fun holiday (it is!), it's whether retail sales related to Halloween put it in the top five holidays.

 

[ILuvChristmas]

It's does pretty well for a holiday not requiring buying gifts or fixing up baskets such as the top 5 require. From the looks that I have seen lately, there are plenty of folks buying Halloween decor etc in the stores lately. And they're sounding quite "happy" that Halloween is on its way.

 

[Jeff Westover]

That article is a press release, so it definitely has a slant to it. No way is Halloween even in the top 5. It has, however, over the years become much more of an adult holiday and that likely has seen sales increase for the season overall.

 

[Snow-in-Texas]

It seems to me that Halloween has become more popular in the last few years. I see many more people decorating, almost as much as they do for Christmas. But, as for my definition of a holiday, it isn't even a holiday, I get off of work for a holiday. cheesy

 

[dvdelf]

That snopes info is also 3 years old
Is there any updated figures?
I'm not suggesting halloween has moved up, but I'm sure sending has changed across the board on ALL the holidays

 

[made582]

It may help boost the economy a little but it I don't see people going out and spending a lot more than they have in the years past. The companys that are seeing a boost already know they are going to get that boost this time of year. Just like toy retailers know they are going to get a boost in there sales at christmas time.

 

[Wenceslaus]

2008 figures from the National Retail Federation:

1. Winter holidays (Christmas), $470.4 billion.

2. Valentine's Day, $17.02 billion.

3. Mother's Day, $15.8 billion.

4. Easter, $14.44 billion.

5. Father's Day, $9.6 billion.

6. Halloween, $5.77 billion.

 

[ILuvChristmas]

It's funny I always thought people hated Valentine's Day. But there it is second in retail sales lol. I spend so much less for Valentine's Day than I do for Halloween LOL

Anyway who cares if Halloween isn't in the top five or not. It's FUN!!

 

[Ryan4Christmas]

Did you click through to the Snopes link? It's not a question of whether Halloween is a great fun holiday (it is!), it's whether retail sales related to Halloween put it in the top five holidays.

Oh okay, Sorry, I didn't see that part, that I can agree with, at the walmart i work at, when halloween is over, we still have a large amount of halloween product still left over, so in that way, I don't think it would be in the top 5 as far as retail sales go.

 

[ILuvChristmas]

Oh okay, Sorry, I didn't see that part, that I can agree with, at the walmart i work at, when halloween is over, we still have a large amount of halloween product still left over, so in that way, I don't think it would be in the top 5 as far as retail sales go.

To be honest Wal-mart doesn't carry that much quality Halloween products, candy aside. Could be why there is so much Halloween items left.

 

[Ryan4Christmas]

To be honest Wal-mart doesn't carry that much quality Halloween products, candy aside. Could be why there is so much Halloween items left.

This year I think we have one whole grocery aisle that isn't anything else but candy and then we have about 2-3 regular aisles that is costumes, props, masks etc etc..then we have a few other locations for halloween things, fabrics has well, fabrics of course and some other things like that, garden center carries the outside decor.

 

[Snow-in-Texas]

One thing to think about with Valentine's Day is that a lot of flowers are bought for that day, and flowers can be pretty expensive. Also those heart shaped boxes of candy can be up there too, depending on what you get.