Pacsun's Halloween Storefront Is Its Biggest Yet

Pacsun’s Halloween Bet: A Record-Breaking Season

Pacsun has launched its largest Halloween storefront to date, aiming to capture a slice of what is expected to be a record-breaking $13.5 billion in US consumer spending for the spooky season. The youth apparel retailer is expanding its assortment across a wide range of price points to meet strong seasonal demand.

The extended Halloween shop includes 67 costumes and accessories for women and men. For women, Pacsun has significantly expanded its offering from last year to 52 costumes and accessories from Leg Avenue, covering a diverse selection of cute, playful and trend-focused looks. For men, the retailer is offering 15 exclusive designs.

“Halloween has become a real fashion moment for our customer, and we’re seeing them approach it with the same individuality they bring to getting dressed every day,” said Richard Cox, chief merchandising officer at Pacsun, in a statement. “It’s less about wearing a costume exactly as it comes and more about interpreting a character, a reference, or an idea through your own style. That shift felt very natural for Pacsun, because our role has always been to give young people the freedom to discover what resonates with them and make it their own.”

Beyond the Store: A Cinematic Experience

In addition to its Halloween storefront, Pacsun will host an exclusive double feature at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach, California, on October 2, screening two cult classics, ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Halloween.’ Customers can shop a selection of current Pacsun styles onsite, blending entertainment with retail.

Pricing and Shopper Behaviour

Pacsun’s Halloween collection is available online and in stores nationwide, with prices ranging from $17 to $111. This price range is likely to appeal to budget-conscious shoppers. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), cost remains an important factor for early shoppers: 23 percent of those surveyed buy Halloween items ahead of time to spread their spending, and 21 percent say the prices and deals are too good to miss.

If Halloween items cost more than expected, 31 percent said they would compare prices before buying, and 26 percent would look for coupons or sales. Another 34 percent plan to buy items they can reuse in later years or use for other occasions.

Overall, about half of consumers (49 percent) surveyed by NRF said they aim to start shopping for Halloween in September or earlier, in line with last year. Much of the early buying is also driven by excitement about the fright-night season. 42 percent of early shoppers said they started early because they look forward to fall, and 34 percent named Halloween as one of their favorite holidays, as interest in Halloween remains strong in the US.

Halloween Celebrations and Spending

74 percent of consumers surveyed plan to celebrate the holiday this year, and of those surveyed, 61 percent plan to hand out candy and 50 percent will dress up. NRF found that average Halloween spending is expected to reach $115.14 per person, roughly the same as in 2025.

Costumes are expected to be the largest spending category this Halloween at $4.4 billion, with 71 percent of Halloween shoppers planning to buy one. Adult costumes are predicted to account for $2 billion of that, with traditional characters leading the way. Some 4.8 million adults plan to go as a witch and 4.2 million as a vampire. Batman (2 million), Spider-Man (1.5 million) and ghosts (1.4 million) round out the most popular choices.

Where Shoppers Are Buying

Discount stores remain the most popular place to buy Halloween items (39 percent), just ahead of specialty Halloween and costume stores (32 percent) and online retailers (27 percent). For costume ideas, online searches are still the top source at 32 percent, but that share has dipped from 37 percent last year to its lowest point in ten years. In-store browsing ranks second for costume inspiration (26 percent) and first for decoration ideas (31 percent).

“Consumers continue to make Halloween a spending priority, but they are also approaching the season with affordability in mind,” Allison Zeller, NRF VP of industry and consumer insights, said in a statement. “This year’s results show that shoppers are being thoughtful and strategic, looking for ways to maximize value throughout the season. Retailers understand these priorities and are offering a wide range of products across price points, making it easier for consumers to celebrate in ways that fit their budgets.”

With its expanded range and experiential event, Pacsun is positioning itself to capitalise on a holiday that has become a major fashion and retail moment.