Halloween spending expected to reach 15 million euros in Lower Austria

Halloween is expected to generate around 15 million euros in spending in Lower Austria this year, ORF reports, with residents spending an average of 50 euros on the festivities.

According to a survey by KMU Forschung Austria cited by the Lower Austrian Chamber of Commerce, sweets are the most popular purchase: 93 percent of buyers plan to put them in their shopping baskets. Decorations rank next at 42 percent, followed by ornamental pumpkins at 36 percent.

Make-up, jewellery and accessories are on the shopping list for 27 percent of buyers, while 24 percent plan to buy costumes. Among adults, 38 percent say they will definitely hand out sweets or small gifts, and a further 32 percent are likely to do so.

Chamber of Commerce representative Franz Kirnbauer said Halloween creates additional shopping opportunities across different retail sectors and that buying from local businesses supports regional value creation.