Local retailers expecting good Halloween sales

While economists fear that the current economy will take a bite out of Halloween retail sales this year, several Athens retailers say their trick-or-treat business is on track to do as well as or possibly better than last year.

"Last week was absolutely crazy," Pam Luther, owner of the Alps Village shopping center seasonal shop, Halloween Express, said in reference to the first full week in October. "(Sales) are about the same (as last year) and I'm hoping to do better toward Halloween weekend."

The two weeks just prior to Halloween - which is this Saturday - really will tell the tale, though, Luther said.

"We do about 60 percent of our business the last two weeks (leading up to Halloween)," Luther said. "And anytime you have Halloween on a Friday or Saturday sales are bigger, because more families get involved, and lots of times, moms and dads want to dress up as well."

Like last year, Luther tried to boost sales by stationing people holding Halloween Express signs at strategic intersections near the shopping center.

University of Georgia students help drive Halloween dollars as well, Luther said.

"For some reason these college kids always find the money," she said.

At Junkman's Daughter's Brother, an "alternative" department store in downtown Athens, the retail shop's core shoppers - those UGA students - generate significant sales activity for the Halloween season, said Megan Tyrrell, office manager and costume buyer for the store. Junkman's Halloween merchandise centers on costumes and props.

Store sales typically are much higher in October than in December, Tyrrell said.

"We probably do 15 percent or 20 percent of our annual business in October," she said.

Heading into the fall, UGA fraternities and sororities host costume-themed parties that help Junkman's maintain a steady business and have given Tyrrell a feel for how October sales will go, she said.

"We have a year-round costume shop, so we wanted to see going into the fall how our pre-Halloween sales went," she said. "It has not slowed down yet."

However, Tyrrell expects Halloween sales to be down a little this year because many UGA students will be heading to Jacksonville, Fla., for the annual football game with the University of Florida.

"This Halloween is going to be slower, but more because of the Georgia-Florida game, as our main customer base will be in Jacksonville this weekend," she said.

Business has been so good at Hobby Lobby on Atlanta Highway, that store manager Tom Lennon does not expect to have much merchandise left over for clearance when Halloween is over, he said.

The year-round crafts store sells indoor and outdoor decorations and crafts for Halloween.

"We've had better (sales) this year than last," Lennon said. "Last year we had a lot of carryover, but this year I don't think we're going to."

Lennon attributes the brisk sales to setting up Halloween displays in early August, offering big discounts early and strong merchandising.

"We did break ads early this year and had a higher percent off," Lennon said. "We've been more aggressive with our advertising and sales."

Halloween sales at the Spencer's store in Georgia Square Mall are ahead of last year, which was one of the company's strongest years, said Garland Thompson, district manager for the chain.

The Athens Spencer's is one of the best performing stores under Thompson's district, which includes 18 stores in Georgia and Alabama.

"My Athens store is actually running No. 2 for the quarter and number one for the year," he said. "Athens is actually one of my bright spots."

The company's big Halloween push began this past weekend, and will run through Saturday, Halloween eve, Thompson said.

Spencer's also owns Spirit Halloween stores, which are running way ahead of sales projections, Thompson said.

Thompson attributes the success of Spencer's and of Spirit Halloween to the compan

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