Halloween celebrations are growing in Sweden, and so are the purchases of pumpkins, decorations, costumes, and sweets. According to a survey from Svensk Handel, Halloween sales are expected to generate 1.6 billion kronor this year – up from 1.5 billion last year.
In the daily goods trade, one-third of the surveyed retailers state that the holiday is crucial for sales.
"Trade holidays are generally important for large parts of the industry, and for some, Halloween is one of the year's most intense sales periods", says Maria Mikkonen, chief economist at Svensk Handel, in a press release.
In the trade organization's consumer survey, 64 percent of the respondents state that they plan to celebrate Halloween, compared to 55 percent last year. Not surprisingly, the sweet-filled holiday is particularly popular among households with children.