Once a fringe holiday, Halloween has now become a significant retail event in Australia.
The Rise of Halloween Down Under
Halloween has become a frighteningly big business in Australia. This year, expected:
- A whopping 21% of Australians are expected to celebrate Halloween
- Total retail sales are forecast to reach $450 million
- The average Aussie Halloween enthusiast is set to spend $93
Who's Driving the Halloween Craze?
Interestingly, it's not just kids fuelling this trend. Adults aged 35-49 are the most enthusiastic Halloween celebrators, with 40% planning to join the fun—a 3% increase from last year!
Top-Selling Halloween Categories
The retail industry expects these categories to sell, so look for top Halloween products here:
What sells in your shop
Go to your POS system into Register Reports
Select "Top N Stock Sales for a Given Period"
In the form, put in the following dates: 25/10/22 to 31/10/22. A report will come out with what is sold over that week.
As time is running out, could you do it now?
This data-driven approach has helped you avoid overstock nightmares and check that you have the products sold in your shop on Halloween.
Here are some more ideas to consider.
Devilish Decorations
The trend is now that Aussies are getting more creative with their Halloween decor each year, turning their homes into haunted houses.
How about considering:
- Halloween paper plates, cups, and napkins
- Spooky banners
- Balloons
- Creepy cocktail accessories (skull ice moulds, witch's brew punch)
Trick-or-Treating Essentials
The tradition of trick-or-treating has taken off in Australia, so you may want to consider:
- Plastic pumpkin buckets for collecting treats
- Glow sticks and light-up accessories for safety
- Halloween-themed bags and baskets
- Face paint and temporary tattoos for quick costume touch-ups
Navigating the Challenges of Halloween Retail
In retailing, Halloween can be challenging. Here is what I've learned over the years:
Start Now
There is a limited amount of time to begin planning your Halloween stock. Look for something original.
Manage Stock Carefully
Many Halloween items have a short shelf life. You do not want to be stuck with difficult-to-sell Halloween-specific items after October 31st. The odds are you have to put them in storage for next year or sell them at a discount.
Advertise
Put up signs or stands in front of the shop. If you have an Instagram or Facebook page, use it to show your Halloween products and create buzz.
Conclusion: Embracing the Halloween Spirit
Halloween is worth looking into.
FAQs about Halloween in Australia
Q: How big is Halloween in Australia?
A: Halloween is growing in popularity across Australia. Over 5 million Aussies, or about 1 in 5 people, celebrated Halloween this year. Social media and fun family activities fuel interest, so we can expect the numbers to keep rising.
Q: How big are Halloween sales?
A: Halloween spending totaled $430 million in 2022 and jumped to $490 million in 2023. Early estimates for 2024 put spending around $450 million.
Q: How much money do Australians spend on Halloween?
A: Halloween retail trends are up. Today's average spending for a person celebrating Halloween is expected to be $93, an increase of $7 (8.1%) from last year.
Q: What sells the most for Halloween?
A: Halloween sales Australia, top Halloween categories that Australians spend on include:
- Trick or treating (45%)
- Treats for trick-or-treaters (38%)
- Halloween costumes (37%)
- Home decorations (32%)
- Attending or hosting events (18%)
Q: Which product category has the most sales for Halloween?
A: The top-selling product category is trick-or-treating gear, with 45% planning to buy these supplies.
Q: What age group spends the most money on Halloween?
A: Australians aged 35-49 comprise the biggest spending age group at 40%, followed by those under 35 at 25%.
Q: Is Halloween getting more popular in Australia?
A: Yes. This year, 300,000 more Australians will celebrate than last year, and it is showing steady growth in popularity.
