Halloween decorating and shopping in the United Kingdom are extending beyond the holiday itself, with retailers reporting more interest in themed trees, wreaths, ornaments and activities throughout October.
“What was traditionally a single-night celebration has turned into a month-long event mirroring many of Christmas’s traditions, but without the same level of expectation,” Charlotte Broadbent, the UK general manager for the online wholesale platform Faire, told The Guardian.
An analysis of thousands of sales transactions on the online wholesale platform Faire found that the number of Halloween-themed products available on the platform grew from 425 in 2021 to 2,632 in 2025, an increase of more than 500%. Trees, wreaths and ornaments were among the fastest-growing categories, The Guardian reported.
Wilko, a British budget retailer, said sales of artificial trees in September were 200% higher than the previous year. The retailer identified Halloween trees as a major decorating trend for 2026. Some displays use black tinsel or witch-themed designs, while craft retailer Hobbycraft has shared ideas for decorating twig trees with handmade spiderwebs and felt pumpkins.
A survey by the Institute of Grocery Distribution found that 36% of shoppers planned to celebrate Halloween in 2026, up from 27% in 2025, according to Retail Gazette. Among people celebrating, 32% planned to attend a party or event, compared with 25% last year. Forty-six percent said they planned to decorate their homes, and 43% expected to buy food and drinks for the occasion.
Retailers say customers are also decorating earlier. The Box Party, an online partyware and gift retailer, increased its stock by 40% this year. Its owner, Libby Ewart, told The Guardian that homes are being decorated earlier and with more planning.
Research group Mintel found that people ages 16 to 34 in the U.K. are more likely than other age groups to buy Halloween costumes, cosmetics and decorations. Mintel analyst Emily Viberg said social media is helping extend the season, with 40% of Halloween buyers using platforms to purchase products directly.
