Halloween shoppers feeling the pinch as prices rise

A store in Warner Robins is offering 25% off as families face higher Halloween accessory prices.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Creepy masks, spooky decorations and tons of candy could cost Halloween shoppers more than ever this season, with a projected record spending of $13.1 billion, according to the National Retail Federation. 

Halloween is only a few weeks away, but most shoppers are stressed about the increased prices. Research has shown that Halloween accessories have increased 12% since last year. 

Kim Wendler, owner of The Party Store in Warner Robins, says several customers have been unhappy with the increased prices. Since it’s the store’s 25th anniversary, to help, she is offering shoppers 25% off products.

“Prices have certainly gone up pretty significantly, giving tariffs and things like that,” she said. “But this is our 25th Halloween, and we were still just trying to offer everything we can to our customers. I think we are a little slower this year. But Halloween itself is a, ‘Oh my goodness I have to celebrate Halloween,’ so usually the last two weeks is our huge influx. I think up to this time it has been a little bit slower; people are really trying to make a more informed decision about what they want to do, and what they want to be.”

Wendler says her store is fully stocked. She wants to make sure her shoppers have what they want.  

“Every year we order Halloween at the beginning of the year,” she said. “But I will say it’s been a little tough trying to get things last minute, just because of all the tariff things that have been going on.”

Store manager Brian Gorman says for families to save money on Halloween, they should try to shop on sales.  

“Stores like us try to discount,” Gorman said. “We’ve got a 25% off promotion. That’s kind of the best way for businesses like us to keep things going and to help folks.”

Gorman says families shopping out of season can also save money.  

“Right after Halloween, we usually have discounts on costumes and things like that,” he said. “But even throughout the year, we do carry costumes and all that sort of stuff, year-round.”

Wendler also tells us the store  helps customers accessorize costumes if they can’t afford the entire thing. She suggests families start shopping for Halloween items weeks after Halloween to save for the next year.