October 31st: The $13 Billion Business of Halloween

🎃The Business of Halloween: More Than Just Tricks & Treats
Each October, Halloween transforms from a holiday into a multibillion-dollar corner of
the U.S. economy. What started as simple traditions has evolved into a full-blown
seasonal industry, and it offers lessons for investors, entrepreneurs, and strategists.
Below is how Halloween became big business and what underlying trends make it
relevant beyond the pumpkins.

The Numbers Behind the Spook

• In 2025, total Halloween spending in the U.S. is projected to hit $13.1 billion, a
• new record.
• That sum breaks down roughly as follows:
  • Costumes: ~$4.3 billion
  • Decorations: ~$4.2 billion
  • Candy: ~$3.9 billion
• The average U.S. household now spends over $100 celebrating Halloween, with
• nearly half of consumers beginning their shopping before October even starts.
• In short: Halloween is no longer a one-night holiday, it’s a full-fledged retail season.

How the Industry Got Here
Season Creep & Retail Strategy

Retailers have learned to “extend the scare,” putting Halloween displays out as early as
late summer. Specialty pop-up chains like Spirit Halloween capitalize on short-term
leases and rapid setup models, a master class in lean, temporary retail.

Consumers & Social Spending
Halloween has become just as popular among adults as kids. Driven by social media,
many consumers now treat it as an experience rather than a simple celebration,
spending on elaborate decorations, themed events, and share-worthy costumes.

Haunted Attractions & Events
Haunted houses, theme park overlays, and “dark experiences” now make up a robust sub-industry, with thousands of attractions nationwide drawing millions of visitors annually. These events require capital, compliance, and logistics, blurring the line between art and enterprise.

Lessons from the Halloween Economy

1. Seasonal businesses can thrive with precision planning. Timing, inventory
   control, and cash-flow management are critical.
2. Emotion drives spending. Holidays tied to identity or nostalgia tend to resist
   recessions.
3. Barriers to entry grow as the market matures. Professional operations
   dominate once margins tighten.
4. Resilience lies in experience-driven demand. Consumers will often protect
   “celebration budgets,” even when other spending slows.
   Halloween’s evolution is more than spooky fun, it’s a fascinating example of how
   emotional connection, creative marketing, and smart logistics can turn a niche holiday
   into a durable economic engine.

💼 Our Current Investment Offerings
At Eppler Capital Funds, we focus on helping investors achieve dependable,
predictable returns through private-market investments not tied to public equities.
Current opportunities include:

• Promissory Note Fund – Offers fixed returns up to 10% per year, backed by secured
  notes in old-school cash-cow businesses.
• San Diego Real Estate Fund (MMTM VIII) – Targets the housing shortage by
  acquiring and improving residential properties with new ADUs. Projected ROI: 40%+
  over 24 months with strong tax benefits. Closing 11/30/25.
• Texas Oil & Gas JV (TSO Ten Well) – Invests in proven-producing wells across
  Texas, offering 20%+ IRRs and 65–75% first-year tax deductions on active income.
  Closing 12/31/25.
  If you’d like to review your portfolio or learn more about these opportunities, I’d be
  happy to connect.
  

Schedule a Call With Me