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Smaller"Halloween has become a national Mardi Gras," said James Lowry, a retail industry analyst. "But, the events of Sept. 11 and the military actions in Afghanistan have changed things somewhat.
"Things aren't going to be as festive, but people still want to have fun and enjoy themselves" he said. "People will still dress up in costumes, but you won't see as many ghoulish ones. We'll have more heroes at parties, including fire fighters and police."
Halloween has become the second biggest retail holiday of the year. According to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation, consumers plan to spend an average of $45 per household this year on Halloween candy, costumes and decorations. The Halloween market is expected to generate an estimated $6.9 billion in sales for 2001.
In addition to home decorations, Halloween is projected to produce $2 billion in candy sales, $1.5 billion in costume sales and $2.7 billion in pumpkin, greeting card and party supplies sales this year.
Lowry said sales could have been higher if retailers had not delayed full-blown marketing programs for nearly a month after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
"Retailers just couldn't put those decorations in the stores like in the past," he said. "It is the same with home owners. Last year we had Halloween decorations at nearly every house by Oct. 1 and now we see American flags."
But don't give up hope on the ghouls, goblins and witches. The addition of firefighters, police officers and emergency personnel may add a new twist to a popular holiday, Lowry said.
"It will bounce back fairly quickly because we are ready to have fun. Adults want to dress up and forget about things. Kids are looking forward to it like they do every year. Halloween is here to stay."
By Marc Ransford, Communications Manager
(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Lowry at jlowry@bsu.eduor (765) 285-5180.)
