Halloween Is Not Canceled: How Covid-19 Is Affecting Retail and Trick-or-Treaters This Weekend
To trick, or to treat, this year? That is the question that has been weighing on parents this fall. Personally, I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer, as long as you follow the CDC’s Halloween guidelines and guidelines by your local health department. My family plans on walking around our neighborhood (at a distance) in costumes that incorporate masks (not Halloween novelty masks), but we will not go door-to-door for candy. Instead we’ll knock on doors in our own home to fill our son’s bag with our own candy, and after walking around we’ll try the great home-based activities recommended by the National Confectioners Association (NCA) and Halloween & Costume Association (HCA).
We’re not alone. According to the NCA, 70% of (U.S.) moms still plan to celebrate Halloween this year with their children, and it’s speculated that the other 30% are buying more candy this year to celebrate with their children at home. Either way, confectioners are having a happy Halloween this year as seasonal chocolate and candy sales are up 13% over 2019, according to the NCA, as "consumers appreciate and value chocolate and candy during these uncertain times because of their uncanny ability to boost your mood and lighten your perspective.”
However, Halloween holiday sales have been a mixed bag, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). While candy sales are up, retailers like Party City are struggling with sales down for categories such as costume apparel. Not surprisingly, sales are also down for attractions such as pumpkin patches and haunted houses, with the Covid-19 pandemic once again striking live events hard.
Nevertheless, the pandemic is showing consumer’s resiliency with decorations sales up as a way to still make Halloween special. From candy shoots, to Halloween zip lines and Clark Griswold-like house decorations, just Google “Halloween 2020” to see how creative DIYers are getting across the country this year. For inspiration, check out these 10 tips to experience Halloween in a different way by influencer Mom Vs.
I’m sure this DIY sales insight wasn’t lost on Lowe’s as much has been written about their new data-driven culture. As a great way to help the communities they serve celebrate safely, Lowe’s is offering Halloween experiences in the parking lots of their stores. Families can visit Lowes.com/DIY to reserve a spot where they can drive up to receive candy and a small pumpkin for free. Not to be outdone, Walmart is offering a virtual Halloween Camp where consumers can play family-friendly games and make DIY projects with the help of content from celebrities like Neal Patrick Harris and Lebron James and sponsors Crayola and Hershey’s.
Whether you’re participating in this year’s activities virtually, curbside or door-to-door, health experts agree there are many ways you can celebrate Halloween safely this year, just please stay vigilant and remember that those packed, indoor costume parties are a hard no. Have a safe and Happy Halloween!