Retailers in Halloween Mood

Retailers are getting ready for a busy Halloween this year: According to the National Retail Federation, 71.5% of Americans "will get into the haunting Halloween mood, up from 68.6 percent last year and the most in NRF’s 10-year survey history." The survey suggests that purchases of candy, costumes, and decorations will be about 10% higher than last year--nearly $80 per household, on average.

Pet owners will be costuming their dogs or cats, too, to the tune of an estimated $370 million in Halloween spending.

And trick-or-treaters will be enjoying a LOT of candy this year. The National Confectioners Association projects more than $2 billion in US candy sales for Halloween.

The top 10 costumes? The NRF's infographic sums it up: superheroes, zombies/vampires, and the usual pirates, princesses, pumpkins, and ghosts.