In the countdown to fright night, a peek into the Wal-Mart costume closet reveals America's changing Halloween habits for 2007.
In fact, with Halloween spending up 10 percent from 2006, the nation's largest retailer serves as the best barometer on everything boo-ful: from the preferred garb of once-a-year ghosts and goblins to the continued popularity of pumpkins to the Fifi's favorite frightful frock.
The comic book costume craze continues as thousands of children across the country have responded, "Spider-Man!" when asked what they'd like to be this Halloween. Scream, Super Man, and Jack Sparrow also top the list of most popular children's costumes so far this year.
Pumpkins are still the holiday's hallowed icon, and sales at Wal-Mart stores nationwide, show five states stand out as those where jack-o-lanterns, pumpkin seeds and pumpkin pies are fall faves. This year, customers in Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Massachusetts have purchased the most pumpkins consecutively (as of October 19, 2007).
Costume contests for pets? Maybe. Wal-Mart's 2007 costume sales indicate that dog owners who will parade with their pets this Halloween prefer princesses, witches and rather than fangs, four-legged Dracula.
"Halloween is the second most popular decorating season," said Andy Barron, Wal-Mart senior vice president, general merchandise manager for hardlines.
"With that in mind, we've worked hard to haveall the costumes, candy and creepy decorations customers want in our stores at unbeatable values."
marketing@alchempro.com
