Halloween spending on the rise

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Halloween is less than two weeks away, so if you don't have a costume yet you'd better get moving.

The National Retail Federation says 170 million people will celebrate the spookiest holiday this year; the biggest number since they started tracking Halloween spending 10 years ago.

Geri Spear has been in the costume business for close to 40 years, and she told 22news over the past few years the economy took a toll on costume spending. “People don't want to reserve ahead of time. They wait and make sure they're going to be able to go to the event before they commit to spending money. We don't have expendable money anymore. It's just a different holiday than it used to be.”

The National Retail Federation thinks it will be a big year though. They say the average person will spend around 80 dollars on costumes, candy and decorations.