Issue 11.43

October 31, 2025

BOO-MING BUSINESS

NRF CONSUMER SURVEY FINDS HALLOWEEN SPENDING TO REACH RECORD $13.1 BILLION

Halloween spending is expected to reach a record $13.1 billion this year, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual consumer survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. The figure is up from $11.6 billion last year and exceeds the previous $12.2 billion record set in 2023.

Most Halloween shoppers (79%) anticipate prices will be higher this year specifically because of tariffs. Despite these reservations, nearly three-quarters of consumers (73%) plan to celebrate the holiday, in line with last year’s 72%. Read more >

DSCC WELCOMES NEW

TEAM MEMBER

MEET TORI WILL

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome Tori Will as our new membership and administrative manager. In this role, Tori will support the State Chamber’s financial operations, bookkeeping, and member relations, bringing her energy and expertise to enhance the experience of our members. Read more >

Join us next week at our 27th Annual Superstars in Business awards luncheon on November 5 to meet her in person!

Welcome Tori to the State Chamber

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:

TAPP NETWORK

When most people hear the phrase digital marketing agency, they picture big budgets, fancy dashboards, and maybe some slick advertising campaigns. However, for Tapp Network, headquartered in Wilmington, that label barely scratches the surface.

“We’re not your typical marketing agency,” says Co-Founder Joe DiGiovanni. “At our core, we’re a digital transformation agency built to help mission-driven organizations create real impact.” While traditional firms often chase metrics like impressions and clicks, Tapp Network measures success by real-world outcomes. Read more >

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT:

NAMI DELAWARE

In a world where nearly one in five adults in the U.S. experiences a mental illness each year, access to community-based support and care has never been more critical. That’s where the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Delaware steps in.

As a leading mental health advocacy organization in the state, NAMI Delaware is transforming the way people think about mental illness, starting with support, education, and systemic change. “Our mission is simple,” says CEO Marie Wenzel. “We support, educate, and advocate until there is a cure.” Read more >

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

One of the priorities here at the State Chamber is to “right-size” our housing market so that working-age Delawareans can find housing options that suit their needs, as well as downsize options for retirees or “empty nesters” who might want to sell the lawn mower and the rake!

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that we have several public schools across the state with enrollments today that fill only 50% of the building capacity they occupy. That should come as no surprise since many of our older schools were built to accommodate the Baby Boom generation—children from neighborhoods bursting with families and kids (plural!). A school building that was constructed to support 600 students may have barely 300 students in the building today, and future projections show that number flattening out or maybe even declining further. Read more >