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Retail Notes: Shoo the economic hobgoblins
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Published: October 5, 2008
Halloween might just be a treat for retailers this year.
At least that's the hope of some local retailers who believe that consumers may want to get some relief from the country's economic woes by having a little more fun than usual.
"I think as bad as things can be sometimes, you still want to put on a song and dance a little bit," said Bob Bridges, a co-owner of Halloween & More at Hanes Mall.
"Hopefully we have all the things that people need to make them smile."
Bridges said that customers are coming into his store at the same pace as last year.
He said he expects some of them to pull back on items they would otherwise buy because of higher gas prices, but he is optimistic about sales at his store overall.
Anna Taylor, a spokeswoman for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., said that customers are celebrating Halloween more than ever with parties, costumes and home decor, despite a tough economy.
According to the National Retail Federation, total Halloween spending is estimated to reach $5.77 billion this year. The average person plans to spend $66.54 on the holiday, up from $64.82 for Halloween in 2007.
"Though the economy is struggling, Halloween sales may be a bright spot for retailers this fall," said Tracy Mullin, the president and chief executive of the association.
"Consumers, who have been anxious and uncertain for the past several months, may be looking at Halloween as an opportunity to forget the stresses of daily life and just have a little fun."
At Spirit Halloween Superstores at Hanes Point Shopping Center, business is up a little bit over last year. That's partly because Halloween falls on a Friday this year, owner Randy Durso said.
"A lot of adults have parties," he said.
"Last year Halloween fell on a Wednesday and nobody knew when to throw a party."
He also said that it was much warmer this time last year, but this year's early fall weather is getting people in the mood for the holiday quicker.
Local stores have a variety of accessories, decor items and costumes, including Batman, The Joker, John McCain and Barack Obama.
Mark McKelvy, the general manager for Party City at Thruway Shopping Center on Stratford Road, said that High School Musical, Star Wars, Hanna Montana, Power Rangers and superhero costumes are always popular.
A Joker mask is doing well in his store, especially combined with nurse and doctor outfits.
Marketing to Women
Wildfire, a communications company in Winston-Salem, has a new marketing group called Factor 9.
The group's name derives from the finding that women weigh nine factors, on average, when making purchasing decisions. In comparison, men consider an average of three factors when deciding what to buy.
Factors that women consider before making a purchasing decision include the brand, fit, value, design, and the inspiration of products. The three factors that men generally consider are brand, fit and value.
Janie Curtis is the leader of the group that includes Tory White, Michelle Hundley and Karen Barnes.
New at Friendly
The Friendly Center and The Shops at Friendly Center in Greensboro have landed 10 new stores. Recently opened stores are Custom Diamond Creations, SportClips and WineStyles. Other stores to open by January are AT&T Mobility, Oreck, Poblano's, Yankee Candle, Carter's, Williams-Sonoma and Anthropologie.
Boutique opens
Devora Transou, the owner of Devora Designs, has opened PaperSassy Fine Stationery & Gifts at 113 W. Mountain St. in historic downtown Kernersville.
In addition to designing stationery carried by more than 100 retailers across the country, Transou has an in-house design agency.
■ Fran Daniel can be reached at 727-7366 or at fdaniel@wsjournal.com.
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