Halloween Costume Shopping Season Hits Peak
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A day off from school in October on Monday meant big business for businesses selling Halloween costumes and decorations.
CBS2's Lou Young watched parents and children in New Rochelle trying to get a jump on the holiday.
Young found the kiddos snaking their way through simulated terrors and fantasies, with parents in tow, inside a Halloween Spirit pop-up store.
"It's his favorite holiday of the year, so it not weird," said New Rochelle parent Nan Somboonlakana. "It did start a little early this year."
Halloween Spirit has 1,200 pop-up stores open across the country. Many opened since August, but the costume buying starts in earnest this week.
"We planned it this morning," said Ann Ibelli of Larchmont. "We started out to try and find what they wanted online."
The boys are going gruesome in general, but the most popular female costume this year is hard to find – the bad-girl from the "Suicide Squad" movie.
"Harley Quinn is selling out," said assistant store manager Marisa Pierce.
The little ones seem to be the easiest to please.
"A lot of shimmer and shine for the children -- Paw Patrol; also Ninja Turtles, believe it or not," she said.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, of course, were big long before today's kids were born – and they're not the only retro craze. That means you might want to do your shopping at a Goodwill store, where donated costumes are on sale for less.
"I like the Jason Costume," said Thomas Cosentino, 9.
He meant Jason Voorhees from the "Friday the 13th" series, the first installment of which was released in May 1980. When CBS2's Young pointed out that Thomas' choice was retro, Thomas replied, "I don't even know what that means."
And of course, there are also political choices this year – masks of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump – but also a premium on infusing the most innocent memories of childhood with a touch of evil – be it a demonic infant or a scary clown.
It is estimated that Halloween sales amount to nearly $7 billion annually in the U.S. The average cost of a costume is $45, although it's a good bet that the one your kid wants is more.
