Halloween Haul

Halloween, now a $2.5-billion industry, is increasingly filling the gap between the back-to-school and Christmas retail seasons. Retailers sell more candy before Halloween than for any other holiday. Some projections for this year:

* About 65% of adults surveyed plan to participate in Halloween activities.

* Halloween is second only to Christmas in terms of decorating, with 63% of adults planning to decorate their homes.

* About 68% of consumers plan to spend as much as $50, and 32% plan to spend more than $50, in preparation for Halloween.

* About 83% of parents will have children participating in Halloween activities.

Sources: Chocolate Manufacturers Assn., National Confectioners Assn., National Retail Federation

Researched by JENNIFER OLDHAM / Los Angeles Times