(Image Source: Woman's Day)
BY CHRISTINE SLUSSER
No tricks-- all treats. Americans are spending scary amounts this Halloween--the good kind of scary. Billings, Montana NBC affiliate KULR-8 reports that despite the spooky economy, Halloween is the second biggest American holiday as far as home decorating sales go.
It takes a ghoulish second to Christmas, of course.
LISA GONEVA: “I expanded this store just to fit this stuff in to my store. I went from 6,000 square feet up to ten.”
SHARON SONG: “Total spending for the holiday is estimated to reach $6-billion, and although costumes make up the majority of that amount, a large portion is spent on candy and decorations.”
One farm in Maryland says 10 per cent of its income for the year comes from pumpkins alone. Voice of America News visited the farm...and noticed just how much muoolah was frightfully flying.
“Pumpkins with scary faces, funny faces and almost anything else lit from inside the pumpkin, will decorate front porches across America on Halloween night. The Cliber family spent nearly $70 on pumpkins today. Other families have been making similar purchases.”
Bloomberg Business Week decided the best way to illustrate this recent Halloween boom...was through rhyme.
“Just when you think it’s all just for fun, notice shoppers swiping credit cards, one by one. Prices are spiking, like this girls green hair, as everyone scrambles for something to wear. Much to the retailers delight, they rake in the cash, as kids prepare for a huge candy stash.”
...and CNN reports while Halloween sales have been up this year...in previous years-- not so much. So after a few gruesome years, it’s safe to say the Halloween biz is back...for now.
CHRISTINE ROMANS: “Experts say the American consumer is tired of being sick and tired, and that they’re going to go out and spend some discretionary income on Halloween - what do you think?”
ROBERT PINZONE: “That seems to be what’s going on because we are definitely busier than last year. They’re tired of saving pennies, I guess they’re here, they wanna spend some money.”
How much did you shell out for Halloween this season? Did you go all out...or are you saving for Santa?
