HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Just over a week out from Halloween, frightening prices at the register are scaring some Americans away from buying new goods. Steep tariffs are driving up the price of holiday goods made overseas, especially from China.
Prices are going up storewide at Spirit Halloween due to the 30% tariff on Chinese imports. In a statement, CEO Steven Silverstein said:
“The impact of tariffs on these products will be significant. Like many retailers, we are working hard to manage these challenges through a multi-pronged approach. We are taking a long-term perspective, while remaining focused on growth.”
According to a report from Neilson IQ, 55% of millennials and 42% of Gen Z are turning to thrifted or DIY Halloween gear to save money. At Thrift Mart in Huntsville, Store Manager Matthew McGowan said costumes are flying off the rack this year.
“I think most of it is going to be the pricing that we have right now, because it’s definitely a lot more comparable than the other street,” he said.
The Saving Way Seasonal Manager Johnathan Moore said they’ve sold thousands of costumes this year.
“We’ve sold a lot,” he said. “I know our sales are higher than they’ve been in previous years.”
According to the National Retail Association, this year, consumers are expected to spend an average of $37.62 on a costume. That’s up 11% from last year.
Moore said affordability brings people into the store.
“People are trying to reuse things, repurpose things more so now than they have in past years, maybe with the price jumps and everything,” he said. “I know they were excited by our prices like because of how low our prices are compared to what it is at retail value.”
McGowan said he’s been selling around 100 costumes a day.
“A lot of the kids just come out for the usual kid costume, stuff like that, whatever’s popular at Walmart and other places,” he said, “and then for adults, they tend to combine a lot of different stuff and come up with their own different costumes.”
On Monday, President Trump threatened to impose tariffs of up to 155% on Chinese goods starting Nov. 1 unless Beijing agrees to a new trade agreement.
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