Spooked shoppers seek deals in grim economy
Posted at: 10/23/2009 10:50 PM
| Updated at: 10/23/2009 10:56 PM
By: Antoinette Antonio, Eyewitness News 4; Charlie Pabst, KOB.com
Michelle Sanchez and her three kids are scouring the Savers thrift store in Albuquerque for a good deal on Halloween costumes.
Sanchez said Friday, "The pre-made ones are about $20, and if you make it yourself you can probably get it for about $10-15— it just depends on how extravagant you're gonna get."
Whether it's a little angel for Sanchez's daughter Amy, or something a little more sinister for her son Aidan, Sanchez says it has to be within the budget.
She said, "We're trying to do about 15 to 20 each with three of them."
A lot of families are cutting back, according to Ellen Davis with the National Retail Federation.
"Halloween spending is expected to decline this year by about $10 per person," Davis said.
Amanda Lucero and her family have been shopping around.
"30 bucks, $40, for one costume. I was just like 'I can't do it.' I'm a single parent with two kids and I have to come where I can get the best deal," Lucero said.
Some retailers are offering treats to lure in cautious shoppers.
Target Manager Julio Polanco said, "We have had struggles with trying to keep sales up, so we try and do a lot of different little things like adding in—a couple weeks ago, we had a promotion if you buy a costume, you get the trick-or-treating bag for free."
But for bargain stores like Savers, Halloween seems to be bringing in the dollars— even in these grim economic times.
Savers Manager Norma Casarez said, "We have had customers from the moment we open the door until the time we close. We have lines— it's just been a crazy, crazy week."
Savers says Halloween sales alone are close to $50,000 so far this season. The store expects to reach its $90,000 goal by next Friday.
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