Halloween spending just might spook some wallets

Only 26 shopping days till Halloween.

The run-up to Halloween has become one of the highest-spending holiday periods in the country. For retailers, it kicks off the fourth fiscal quarter that -- with spending for Thanksgiving, followed by Black Friday and the gift-giving season of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa -- has the potential to make or break their fortunes.

The National Retail Federation on Sept. 29 released its report, "Top 10 Trends in Halloween Spending," which projects Halloween spending -- including costumes, candy and indoor and outdoor decorations -- will reach $7.4 billion in the United States, up from $6.9 billion in 2013. The average American will spend $77.52, up from $75 in 2013.

Local retailers already are experiencing high demand for costumes to turn little gremlins into characters of the Disney hit "Frozen" and the recently reintroduced "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."

It is estimated 2.6 million children will take on the "Frozen" look and 1.8 million as turtle-wannabes, according to the NRF survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics.

Halloween masks are on display Friday at Celebrate the Season in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Costumes to transform little girls into Anna or Elsa from "Frozen" range from $19.99 to $59.99, with accessories including gloves, tights and wands at various prices; bracelets are $2 and wigs are $14.99. The Turtle togs, officially licensed by Nickelodeon, range from $19.99 to $29.99 for a deluxe outfit that apparently has the printed jumpsuit padded with foam to simulate muscles. Weapons, such as Michaelangelo's 29-inch nunchakus, are priced separately -- $9.99.

The NRF survey predicted spending of $1 billion on children's costumes, $1.4 billion on adult costumes and $350 million on costumes for pets.

Rob Younghouse of Younghouse Party Central at 2005 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau confirmed the NRF prediction of the appeal of "Frozen." The store receives daily calls from parents asking about the "Frozen" costumes' availability, he said. He also sees an uptick in sales of adult costumes and says the popularity of the television series "The Walking Dead" is an influence.

But, he said, a number of the store's customers enjoy creating their own costumes.

"The beauty of our store is that we get into accessories. You can pick up things for $3 or so to be creative. We also carry two good lines of makeup," Younghouse said, adding that with the holiday this year falling on a Friday, he expects Halloween weekend parties will add to sales.

The Dungeon at Younghouse Party Central is packed full of all things Halloween. (Laura Simon)

Younghouse carries a complete line of supplies for events ranging from baby showers to tailgate parties, and while those items occupy the sales floor, at this time of year its 2,800-square-foot lower level -- aka The Dungeon -- is exclusively devoted to Halloween, with costumes, accessories, décor and more. It has its own entrance.

The Younghouse family has been in the party-supply business for about 40 years; Younghouse and his wife, Laura, bought the business from his parents. Before moving to the North Kingshighway location about six years ago, the store was situated near the Interstate 55 Dutchtown exit.

New to the holiday retail scene is Celebrate the Season, which last week opened its doors in the Park West Centre south of Mount Auburn Road and William Street.

"Zombies are going to be giant this year," said Christina Winkler, the store's general manager, and the store has a full complement of fake body parts as well as a range of zombie costumes -- zombie skeleton, zombie doctor, zombie task force member and zombie Southern belle.

Adult costumes range from $20 to $70, if one wants to impersonate a "Sassy Raggedy Ann," with a gingham-print mini-dress and red yarn wig. Couples could pair up and be two pieces of bread, one spread with peanut butter and the other with jelly, or a condiment duo, one as ketchup and the other as mustard.

Winkler pointed out a display of sugar-skull merchandise, tie-ins to the upcoming 20th Century Fox animated comedy "The Book of Life," an adventure that spans three fantastical worlds. The movie, set for release Oct. 17, brings to the screen sugar skulls, part of the tradition of the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos, seen as a way to honor dead ancestors.

At Party City in the Cape West Plaza on Siemers Drive, three aisles are turned over to Halloween, with hundreds of costumes, decorations and accessories, plus fog machines and strobe lights for creating special effects and a selection of 12 different Styrofoam headstones to design a front-yard cemetery. While each stone is priced at $6.99, the store offers a buy-two-get-one-free deal.

It's not just the party-supply retailers who receive a boost from Halloween spending. The outsized home improvement stores take advantage of the holiday with a growing selection of yard decorations, and discount, drug and grocery stores cash in with candy, costume and decoration sales, too.

NRF numbers rank Halloween spending as No. 8 compared to other seasonal spending. What NRF calls "winter holidays" top the chart -- and dwarf other holidays -- with $602 billion spent on gifts, food, decorations and more. Coming a distant second is back-to-school/college spending, with $72 billion spent in 2013 on supplies ranging from dorm room furnishings, clothing, tablets and smartphones. Third is Mother's Day at $19.9 billion spent on special outings, flowers, cards, clothing and jewelry. In rank order, other days for big spending, according to NRF, are Valentine's Day, Easter, Father's Day and Super Bowl Sunday. St. Patrick's Day trails Halloween at No. 9.

nhadler@semissourian.com

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