Lexington, September 18, 2025
News Summary
As Halloween approaches, Lexington is experiencing a surge in seasonal shopping. Retailers, including major chains like Target and Walmart, have rapidly shifted to Halloween-themed merchandise. Spirit Halloween has opened local stores, and surveys indicate a significant increase in Halloween participation among Americans. Despite inflation, online shopping trends rise, with many consumers planning early purchases. Retailers are responding with a diverse range of products, ensuring that Lexington has everything needed to celebrate the spooky season.
Lexington is brimming with Halloween spirit as stores in the area accelerate seasonal shopping. Although autumn officially begins on September 22, retailers have wasted no time, replacing back-to-school displays with Halloween-themed merchandise. Major national chains, including Target, Walmart, Marshalls, and Hobby Lobby, have prominently showcased Halloween items alongside pumpkin-themed products, enticing early shoppers.
In addition to these large retailers, Spirit Halloween has opened locations in Lexington, offering a variety of costumes and decorations to gear up for the spooky season. This year, various surveys indicate that seven out of ten Americans are expected to participate in Halloween celebrations, an uptick in interest that retailers are keen to support with an array of products.
According to projections from the National Retail Federation (NRF), U.S. consumers spent an average of nearly $104 on Halloween last year, eclipsing spending for Fourth of July and St. Patrick’s Day, but falling short of what is typically spent on Easter and Valentine’s Day. For 2023, average family expenditures on Halloween candy reached $31.93, with expectations indicating this amount will stay around $32 to $35 over the next two years.
Consumer spending trends suggest that approximately 50% of shoppers plan to invest in Halloween decorations, with nearly $4 billion expected to be spent on fall-themed décor in 2024. Additionally, early Halloween shopping is becoming more pronounced, with 47% of consumers initiating their shopping before October—an increase from 37% five years ago.
Katharine Cullen from the NRF highlights that Halloween represents a transition into the fall season, motivating shoppers to begin acquiring seasonal decor earlier. Despite recent inflation challenges, data from Moody’s reveals that higher-income households continue to maintain spending levels. However, consumer optimism about the economy has waned since November 2024. Rising prices are prompting cautious approaches to discretionary spending.
As the shopping environment shifts, nearly half of consumers plan to maintain holiday spending in line with the previous year’s figures. The online shopping trend continues to rise, with one-third of consumers leaning towards e-commerce for their Halloween needs. Retailers are responding with in-store deals and a wide variety of holiday goods—particularly standout pumpkin-themed items—available in Central Kentucky.
Local retailers, like Hobby Lobby, feature eye-catching fall-themed décor, ranging from scarecrows to pumpkin displays. Interestingly, glimpses of Christmas merchandise are also starting to appear on higher shelves, indicating a blend of seasonal offerings within the retail landscape.
So far, Spirit Halloween has launched two stores in Lexington, one located in Fayette Mall and the other in Hamburg, catering to the seasonal demand with diverse inventory. With popular items like pumpkin-shaped goods and seasonal blankets gaining traction, Halloween shopping in Lexington seems set to grow, delighting consumers ahead of the annual festivities.
FAQ
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What date does autumn officially start?
Autumn officially starts on September 22.
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Which major retailers are stocking Halloween merchandise?
Major retailers include Target, Walmart, Marshalls, and Hobby Lobby.
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What percentage of Americans are expected to celebrate Halloween this year?
About seven out of ten Americans are expected to participate in Halloween celebrations.
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How much did the average family spend on Halloween candy last year?
The average family spent $31.93 on Halloween candy in 2023.
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How prevalent is early Halloween shopping?
47% of consumers are beginning their Halloween shopping before October, up from 37% five years ago.
Key Features of Halloween Shopping Trends
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Start of Autumn | September 22 |
| Retailers Stocking Merchandise | Target, Walmart, Marshalls, Hobby Lobby, Spirit Halloween |
| Participation Rate | 70% of Americans expected to celebrate |
| Average Spending on Halloween | $104 per person |
| Average Candy Spending | $31.93 |
| Early Shopping Trend | 47% starting before October |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Halloween Shopping Trends
- WHAS11: Spirit Christmas Store Locations in Kentucky
- PIX11: Spirit Halloween Opens in NYC
- KRIS 6 News: USS Lexington Free Admission
- Fox 56 News: Lexington Spirit Halloween History
- Wikipedia: Halloween
- Google Search: Halloween trends 2023
- Google Scholar: Halloween consumer spending
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Halloween
- Google News: Halloween retail trends
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
