HALLOWEEN DECOR IS A HIT THIS SEASON
Take a walk through your neighborhood this October and you’re likely to spot several new large and creepy guests in town who’ve staked a claim to your neighbors’ lawns. One of them may be a seven-foot-high fanged clown; another could be a reaper-like ferryman, or last year’s most popular terror: a 12-foot-high skeleton with moving eyes.
“Consumers are looking for ways to celebrate Halloween despite the ongoing changes and uncertainty from the pandemic last year,” says Katherine Cullen of the National Retail Federation. “In 2020, plans for trick-or-treating, haunted houses, and more were limited due to social distancing concerns. But one of the few ways people were able to safely celebrate Halloween was through decorations.”
That helps explain how the 12-foot plastic skeleton figure ($300) went viral last year on social media. That product quickly sold out and is on pace to do the same in 2021.
Last year was the first year that Charlottesville, Virginia homeowner Lynne Sade boarded the outdoor Halloween display bandwagon.
“We jumped on the trend because of COVID and wanting to create something special for our young kids. There are lots of moms like myself who think it’s becoming normal to purchase extensive Halloween decorations,” she says.
Nate Hewett, marketing director for halloweencostumes.com in North Mankato, Minnesota, confirms that an increasing number of consumers are opting to decorate.
“In our overall Halloween decorations product selection, we noticed 47% growth in outdoor decor from 2019 to 2020, and we are already seeing over 100% growth in the same segment for 2021, which is a strong indication that outdoor Halloween decorations are increasing in popularity,” Hewett explains.
When considering where to display these items, Hewitt recommends areas on your lawn, porch, or walkway that are easily visible to the street or near the front door. Set a budget (outdoor figures and animatronics can get pricey) and think carefully about illumination, too.