Halloween spending in Vienna hits record
Vienna has been swept up by Halloween fever — residents of the Austrian capital are expected to spend a total of around 16 million euros on festive products, according to a study by KMU Forschung Austria, commissioned by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and cited by OTS.
According to the survey, seven out of ten families with children will actively celebrate the holiday this year, CE Report quotes BTA.
The average spending per person is about 50 euros, ten euros more than last year. The most commonly purchased items are candies (85%), decorative pumpkins, themed decorations such as cobwebs, skeletons, and ghosts, as well as costumes (34%).
About 28% of Viennese also plan to invest in makeup, jewelry, and accessories to complete their spooky look.
“Halloween has become an important seasonal shopping occasion and a significant boost for the local economy,” said Margarete Gumprecht, Head of Retail at the Vienna Chamber of Commerce. She noted that the holiday is now far more popular and economically significant than it was ten years ago. “Events like Halloween bring atmosphere and shopping incentives to the city, which is especially valuable in times of subdued consumer sentiment,” she added.
More than 70% of households with children under 16 said their kids will go trick-or-treating this year. Adults are also increasingly participating — 43% said they will hand out sweets or small gifts, while another 26% are considering doing so.
Around 80% of Viennese buy Halloween products from brick-and-mortar stores, and nearly 40% also shop online. According to the Chamber of Commerce, this growing trend boosts customer traffic each year and supports local retailers, suppliers, and costume and decoration shops.
