With the ghoulish celebration a few weeks away, early-bird shoppers have already started to descend on mom and pop, chain and pop-ups costume stores in search of the perfect Halloween outfit.
Last year rain dampened many South Floridians’ Halloween plans as such some costume sellers are anticipating pent-up demand from revelers this year.
“We’re hoping that people who didn’t go out last year will make a big push this year,” said Indee Rapp, co-owner of Masquerade Costumes in Lauderhill. “The early-birds are coming out and starting to piece their costumes together.”
Rapp said she’s getting lots of requests for super hero, pirates and ’70’s costume themes. And sexy costumes for women are a repeat hit.
Nationwide, a record selection of american citizens —a hundred and seventy million — plan to celebrate Halloween this yr, boosting total spending to $8 billion, according to a national Retail Federation client survey.
The average American is also expected to shell out more this year – $79.82 on decorations, costumes and candy, up from $72.31 last year, the survey noted.
“There’s certainly pent-up demand for having some fun this year and shoppers are planning to spend their hard-earned dollars on items that help them get into the Halloween spirit,” said Phil Rist, an executive vice president of BIGinsight, which conducted the NRF survey.
At Halloween City pop-up stores, this year’s big theme is “Who you gonna be?” said Stephen Greene, a district manager with responsibility for its Broward County stores.
superr heroes are in reality big this 12 months,” Greene cited also. Political figures and indignant hen costumes also are in call for.
Forty-five percent of respondents in the NRF’s annual Halloween poll plan to dress up this year compared with 43.9 percent last year. More people — 51.4 percent will decorate their home or yard this year, up from 49.5 percent in 2011.
Still not everyone is splurging.
Nearly 26 percent of consumers say the economy will prohibit their plans, forcing a few to spend less, make their own costumes or buy much less sweet, the survey found out.
Retailers such as Party City are offering a wide range of costumes at varying prices to fit any budget, with some starting from $9.99, company officials said.
dresse accessories have grow to be increasingly more fashionable as they provide the chance to create an inexpensive, unique glance by way of mix and matching with pieces you have already got,” party city’s vice president of marketing bill Furtkevic mentioned.
With the Oct. 31 festivity falling on a Wednesday this year, Party City is anticipating that consumers will be celebrating Halloween the weekend before and on the actual day, Furtkevic said.
Others like Rapp, predict an extra bonus from celebrations which can be likely to occur the weekend ahead of and after Halloween.
Party City’s store traffic has been picking up lately and is expected to get busier from here on, Furtkevic said.
Michelle Grau of Hollywood was at the celebration city in Oakwood Plaza Tuesday buying costumes for a Halloween-themed celebration for her daughter Janae Rosso, who turns 15 on Sunday.
This year Rosso’s costume options were either Robyn Da Hood or Miss Wonderful, which retail for about $50 and $56 respectively, while Grau was considering dressing as a Bumble Bee.
“It’s my favorite holiday other than Christmas,” said Rosso.