The latest issue of Progressive Party Europe is out now, jam-packed with almost 70 pages of industry news, commentary and insight. Features include a spotlight on Halloween, the latest in licensed party product and an exclusive interview with the UK’s pop-up retail experts, Halloween HQ.
Read the October 2017 issue now.
The spookiest night of the year is just around the corner and consumers are already scouring the ‘Ten Best Halloween Looks For 2017’ articles, practising their make-up tutorials in front of the mirror and generally searching the web for the latest party inspiration.
For their part, retailers are also busy setting out their Halloween stock for all those forward planners – as well the last-minute trick-or-treaters, who will invariably be turning up at their local costume shop at 4:30pm on Saturday 28 October and wondering why ‘all the good stuff has gone’. This year’s mid-week Halloween means that most parties and celebrations will be taking place the weekend before, leaving the Tuesday night itself clear for kids to make the most of being out on a school night, buzzing from the thrill of dressing up and staying out after dark (not to mention all the e-numbers).
Last year’s Halloween was, ultimately, a bit of a disappointment – although following on from 2015’s bumper year was always going to be a bit of a stretch. So what’s the feeling about this year, as we approach the industry’s biggest and most lucrative season? It’s fair to say suppliers are apprehensive but hopeful, while retailers are cautiously planning ahead. The competition from budget stores and supermarkets shows no signs of abating (Aldi’s complete Halloween range has just launched, with prices starting at 89p and going up to £7.99 for an adult costume), so dedicated party retailers are painstakingly aware of the need to make a real statement with their offering.
Meanwhile, the media – both online and traditional – is going to town on Halloween fashion articles and how best to recreate the scariest characters of the moment (Pennywise from Stephen King’s IT, in case you weren’t sure.). But there are also articles warning the public to make sure they party safely; from concerns about the dangers of trick-or-treating to fire departments issuing warnings
about potential fire hazards.
The public is frequently warned about the danger of counterfeit costumes in the run-up to Halloween as fake or counterfeit costumes which don’t meet CE safety standards have been a major problem in the party industry for some time now. However, a number of high-profile arrests and trading standards raids have taken place throughout the UK over recent months, putting at least some of these operations out of business. For more on this story and how counterfeit costumes can damage the party industry, see news page 11 and our feedback feature on page 51.
We are also delighted to be able to bring you our first ever column from the European Balloon & Party Council (EBPC), as well as features looking at the latest in licensed party product, a focus on the decor and novelty costume markets and an exclusive interview with the UK’s pop-up retail experts, Halloween HQ.
Until next time, have a horror-filled Halloween!
