America’s only professional costumers’ organisation The National Costumers Association (NCA) has revealed the results of its recent survey, which show that while shops are slowly reopening, customers are not yet flooding back.
“This survey reveals the basic fact that shoppers are still anxious about Covid-19, even though they have been cooped up for months,” said NCA executive director Ed Avis. “But at least costume shops in many parts of the country now have a chance to open their doors, which most haven’t done since early March.”
Of the costume shops who responded to the survey, 11% are still closed, 25% are fully reopened and 39% are operating with limited hours. The remainder are open either online or by appointment only.
Of those who have reopened, almost half have reported that sales are bad, with others saying they are ok. One described sales as ‘amazing’.
The situation is looking brighter for the suppliers who responded, with the majority saying their sales have been ok, or roughly the same as before Covid-19.
The survey also asked how they the industry feels about Halloween, with 63% of retailers who responded believing that Covid-19 will prevent a normal Halloween. Suppliers were more optimistic, with more than 70% hoping for an ‘ok’ Halloween.
The survey also canvassed opinion on next year’s Halloween & Party Expo, which is currently scheduled for January 2021, with retailers proving more cautious about attending than suppliers.
