As youngsters get ready to go trick, treating or partying tonight, how is the spookiest night of the year been shaping up for gift retailers?
“Halloween has been exceptional, which we were anticipating,” confirms Samantha Gibbs, owner of three Nest gift stores in Stoneygate, Broughton Abbey and Thurlaston Garden Centre. “Despite over ordering, presuming that we would store some of the items and just keep the windows full, products have all but gone.”
Continues Samantha: “In fact, Halloween started far earlier than usual. We kept it live all year on the website and were seeing weekly sales all through the summer, reaching a crescendo earlier than expected in late September/early October. We have been busy packing online orders to arrive by 31 October, and are expecting customers in all our shops to still be buying today, as Halloween is a one day occasion. In previous years, that has meant last minute impulse purchases.
“Interestingly, Halloween has become one of our best occasions and we really look forward to the colour and dynamic change in the shops. It punctuates Autumn wonderfully, and then we can go head first into Christmas.”
It’s a similar story at Mooch Gifts & Home in Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn. “Halloween continues to grow for our stores with sales up year on year,” says Mooch’s co-owner Jon May. “Our windows have been dressed with products from Talking Tables and Gisela Graham, along with feathery owls from Wilberry Toys.”Highlights Jon: “one product in particular – Talking Tables’ Table Indoor Fireworks– has proved extremely popular this year.”
Also making the most of Halloween has been Bill Nettelfield, owner of Bill & Bert’s in Colchester. In addition to a show stopping front window display, initiatives have included an interactive trail, with products such as Halloween gonks, Halloween tights and Halloween decorations ringing up sales. “On Saturday, we also invited customers to pop in and have a glass of prosecco or a beer with us,” highlights Bill.
A survey of 2,000 UK consumers has revealed that the average spend this Halloween is predicted to be close to £100 for those celebrating. “Although it is often thought of as a typically American holiday, Halloween has gained massive popularity in the UK in recent years,” commented Dan Whittaker, consumer finance expert at Little-loans.com.
The findings revealed that consumers are willing to spend the most money on events, such as parties, cinema screenings and horror nights, with spend predictions averaging £35.60 per person.
The survey data also revealed that Londoners are by far the biggest spenders, with the average cost in the capital a whopping £149.90. East Anglians meanwhile, were the ones set to spend the least at £50 in total.
Top: Gift retailers have been making the most of Halloween as an Autumn occasion.
