Phiily.com reports:

The National Retail Federation expects Halloween spending to reach $6.86 billion this year, equal to $72.31 a person — up from $66.28 a person last year. Seven in 10 Americans who were surveyed plan to celebrate the holiday, the most in the nine years the federation has been conducting its Halloween survey.

Less than two weeks before Halloween, retailers are holding out hopes that this year will bring more treats than tricks.

That doesn’t mean people aren’t trying to save on the festivities. Eighty-seven percent of survey respondents said they’d try to spend less overall. Some — about 19 percent — said they’d make a costume. More than 16 percent are recycling last year’s costume. And more than 40 percent will buy less candy.

Related: Pregnant Bellas, Capt Jacks top Halloween costumes

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Gina Labianca (L) tries on a super woman outfit as Charlie Lucas tries a snow white costume at the Halloween MegaStore Miami Beach on October 21 in Miami Beach, Florida. The megastore is a temporary location for the store which opened for the holiday to sell costumes, masks and other items to people needing to dress up for the evening of October 31 when costumed people around the world observe the day.

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

A mask is seen at the Halloween MegaStore Miami Beach on October 21, 2011 in Miami Beach, Florida.

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Carlos Valentine (L) tries on a sailor's hat as costume designer, Ozzy Darmon, helps Madeleine Wenthzel try on a Wonder Woman costume at the Halloween MegaStore Miami Beach on October 21 in Miami Beach, Florida.