Halloween is rapidly approaching, and based on previous years and current buzz, consumer demand for Halloween costumes, props and accessories is forecast to reach record levels this year. Halloween 2006 was the year of the pirate, princess and super hero. In 2009, it was Rainbow Brite for girls, with princess and witch close behind. For boys, spiderman, and adults, witch, vampire, pirate and clown. Each year, new costumes come to the fore. What will be the big changes this year?
Costumes run the full gamut from silly, through sublime to downright sexy, widening the appeal, as more people of all ages get into the spirit of Halloween. Kids may love Halloween but adults celebrate it by seeking out costumes as the year’s spookiest holiday approaches. Masquerade LLC and New York City Costumes say they are expecting a bumper year for seasonal costumes.
The National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIG research, points out the expectation that consumers splurged $4.96 billion back in 2006, on Halloween alone. Their records show that $3.29 billion was spent on Halloween a year earlier, so this was a huge boost.
Want to know what’s driving this consumer demand at Halloween? The NRF says it is largely due to a good economy, leading to a surge in celebrating. That upbeat thought must be common, because Halloween celebrations are expected to boom, and participants will be “bedecked and bedazzled in the latest Halloween costumes,” Masquerade LLC and New York City Costumes say.
The “best-dressed” Halloween fanatics will be tricking and treating in some amazing costumes this year, according to NRF’s consumer polling, and confirmed by early sales trends reported by leading Halloween Costume retailers New York Costumes and Halloween Adventure Costume Superstores. They say they are prepared for the surge.
Top Halloween Costume Trends for 2006
Top 10 Adult Male Costumes
- PIRATE
- SUPERHERO
- VAMPIRE
- STAR WARS
- FUNNY
- HORROR & GOTHIC
- MATRIX
- ELVIS
- WIZARD OF OZ
- PIMP
Top 10 Adult Female Costumes
- PIRATE AND WENCH
- WITCHES
- SUPERHERO
- SEXY COSTUMES
- NURSE
- VAMPIRESS
- STAR WARS
- WIZARD OF OZ
- DISNEY CHARACTER
- FANTASY & FAIRY
Top 10 Kids Costumes
- PRINCESS & FAIRY
- WONDERWOMAN CHILD COSTUME
- SUPERMAN MUSCLECHEST COSTUME
- GREEN LANTERN
- BATMAN
- HARRY POTTER COSTUMES
- SPIDERMAN
- STAR WARS COSTUMES
- SUPERHERO FLASH
- FUNNY COSTUMES
30th Annual Village Halloween Costume Ball at Theater for the New City
Nonstop theater, a costume competition and ballroom dancing will bewitch the East Village in Theater for the New City’s annual Village Halloween Costume Ball. This unique festival continues as a grand coming-together for everyday New Yorkers
