According to the National Retail Federation, a record 170 million people in the United States plan to celebrate Halloween this year purchasing costumes, handing out candy and decorating their homes. NRF’s 2012 Halloween consumer spending survey, conducted by BIGinsight, demonstrated that 71.5% of Americans will get into the Halloween spirit, up from 68.6% in 2011.

They will spend more, too, with the average consumer shelling out $79.82 on decorative items, costumes and candy, up from $72.31 last year.

The proportion of U.S. consumers celebrating Halloween is the most in NRF’s 10-year survey history, the organization stated, adding that it expects shoppers to spend about $8 billion for the holiday.

“By the time Halloween rolls around each year it’s safe to say Americans have already spent two months preparing for one of the fastest-growing and most widely-loved holidays of the year,” said NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay. “Retailers know that when it comes to Halloween, new costume ideas for children, adults and pets, and the latest in home and yard décor top people’s shopping lists. We expect retailers to stock their shelves well ahead of time to capture the attention of eager holiday shoppers.”