Retailers hope for record Halloween sales

The spooky celebration is the third biggest sales event of the year and retailers are trying out new ideas.

Poundland said 60% of its Halloween range is new and its eyelashes, trick or treat baskets, devil costumes and window decorations are selling strongly.

99p Stores commercial director Hussein Lalani said: “People are having more Halloween parties. We’re selling a lot more cups, plates and serviettes.”

Grocer Asda is selling Spanish exotic fruit persimons carved as Jack O’Lanterns, alongside experiences including ghost hunting walks, while Sainsbury’s is hosting an online party planner.

Asda said it expects multichannel to be increasingly important this year. It has introduced a store for its George clothing line with adults and children’s clothing online.

Asda commercial director for home and seasonal Louise Hoste said: “It’s incredible how popular Halloween has become in the UK and how important it has become to the industry. It is now the third biggest event in the retail calendar, behind Christmas and Easter, worth £300 million in the UK.

“At Asda, our Halloween sales have grown 22%over the last five years and this year we are predicting a sales increase of 3.3 per cent. Because of our relationship with Walmart we continue to lead the UK market.”