Halloween spending varies during COVID-19

Business owners who are looking to profit from Halloween spending during COVID-19 are experiencing mixed results. 

Nationally, 62 per cent of Canadians have no plans to celebrate the occasion this year. As such, themed attractions have adjusted for new customer spending.  

Sue Hancock is the manager of Exodus Escape Room which has a Halloween-themed room. She said the pandemic is reducing booking. 

“Since these new restrictions came in, we’re now asking that you book within your household. That’s ruled out a lot of our normal clientele,” said Hancock.  

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, some escape rooms are going online. More than 150 escape room brands globally have done so as of July 2020. 

The haunted house industry generates US$300 million to US$500 million every October. However, COVID-19 is closing most of them down. In the Greater Toronto Area alone, only one haunted house remains open. 

Local attraction Scarehouse Windsor is staying open. For co-owner Shawn Lippert, spending trends for his business are different than before. 

“We seem to be having more quantity go through the haunt on a Friday-Saturday versus years past, and then we have less coming through during the week,” Lippert said. 

 Aside from indoor Halloween activities, apple orchards have been drawing people outside to celebrate. Based in Leamington, Thiessen Apple Orchard has a series of attractions including a haunted barn and pumpkin patch. Owner Andrew Thiessen said business has risen during the pandemic.  

“COVID-19 has actually made us busier, we’ve seen more guests come to the farm this year,” said Thiessen. “I think they’re looking for outdoor activities and things to do, so we’ve actually seen an increase in business.” 

Thiessen also said his gross sales rose by 20 per cent this season.

It seems businesses looking to profit from Halloween during a pandemic are getting a mixed bag of tricks and treats. COVID’s impact on the season won’t be certain until after the last costume is put away.