• September 27, 2012

Anyone looking for proof that Americans aren’t feeling especially creative this year can stop at the National Retail Federation’s latest Halloween costume poll: Some six million adults plan to dress as a witch this year, with 3.2 million selecting vampire costumes. (Last year, pirates came in second, with vampires in third place.) For kids, the poll, conducted by BIGInsight for the NRF, found that princesses came in first place (as they did last year), and for pets, pumpkin outfits (ditto.) Overall, consumers are likely to spend at least $2.9 billion on their Halloween look this year, including $1,4 billion for adults, $1.1 for kids, and $370 million for pets.