Shoppers in Ealing are gearing up for a bumper Halloween as research shows that they plan to spend almost £75 on costumes, decorations and sweets for trick or treaters - nearly 25% more than just five years ago.  

The survey of 2,000 adults, commissioned by Ealing Broadway, also revealed that over half (60%) of Ealing’sresidents will be celebrating by donning fancy dress this year, and 1 in 10 are planning to carve pumpkins.

With this in mind, Ealing Broadway has dubbed Saturday October 29 ‘Spooky Saturday’ as Ealing’s retailers prepare for a surge in scary sales – £25,214,451 in the run-up to Halloween.

To mark ‘Spooky Saturday’ Ealing Broadway will be opening its doors for a family-friendly trick or treat event between 1 and 7pm. Children and parents will be encouraged to wear their spookiest costumes to solve a series of clues and  find a range of Halloween treats hidden in 20 participating stores. 

Ealing Broadway shoppers looking for fancy dress inspiration are likely to look to Facebook, with the survey revealing that over two thirds (70%) of people in Ealing naming Facebook as their biggest inspiration for Halloween costumes and decorations. Spooky films influenced 1 in 8 (12%) and just 2% of people say they’ll be happy to wear the same outfit as they did last year.

As excitement builds for the upcoming Harry Potter film launch next month, it’s perhaps not surprising that witches and wizards are the region’s most popular costume choice. Nearly two thirds (60%) of those surveyed will be dressing themselves or their families up with wands and broomsticks.

Residents in Ealing should also expect a knock on the door from vampires (38%), zombies (22%) and to greet the odd trick-or-treating werewolf (20%).

Andrew Rollings, Centre Manager at Ealing Broadway said: “Halloween has really exploded in popularity over the last few years with people buying increasingly elaborate costumes and decorations.

“We’re expecting a record number of shoppers over Halloween weekend as people stock up on last-minute sweet treats for party guests and trick-or-treaters.”