On Wednesday, costume shop Hip-Wa-Zee in Columbia's Five Points is reporting a 20 percent increase in sales.
COLUMBIA (WACH) - The National Retail Federation expects Americans to spend $5.8 billion on Halloween this year.
On Wednesday, costume shop Hip-Wa-Zee in Columbia's Five Points is reporting a 20 percent increase in sales.
Store owner Leslie Minard says the increase comes as welcome relief.
"I think people are just tired of hearing all of the depressing news and they want to go out and have a good time," said Minard.
Minard says even though sales are up, it seems her customers are still shopping savvy.
Adding that she's seen an increase in accessories and costume rentals over pricier pre-packaged outfits.
"Usually people who go out for Halloween, they are only going to wear the costume once. That way they don't have to own it and a lot of the time the rentals are a better quality costume," said Minard.
"I just couldn't afford to put all the pieces together of a full costume that I would have to buy myself, so this year I decided I'm just going to rent it and I can bring it back," said costume shopper Molley Oakley.
And Minard says the positive trend in Halloween sales leaves her feeling optimistic about the future.
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