February 2015

Page 268

Insider Look at: H&P Expo

Stock Up for Saturday The Party and Costume Industry Prepares for a Saturday Halloween at the H&P Expo.

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by Dacia Rivers ast year, Halloween landed on a Friday, which lead to a significant boost in sales for costume and party supply stores everywhere. What’s even more exciting is that this year, Halloween falls on a Saturday, which means even more people will be attending Halloween parties, dressing up, and going trick-or-treating. This makes it especially important for stores to stock up early for what promises to be another stellar sales year. According to the National Retail Foundation, Halloween spending in 2014 reached $7.14 billion. For 2015, industry experts predict that number will soar even higher.

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The Halloween Insider

In the past, Halloween was predominantly celebrated in the U.S., but the holiday’s popularity is starting to spread. Last year, the Halloween & Party Expo, which is the annual trade show for the Halloween, costume, and party-supply industry, hosted attendees from 70 different countries and territories, proving that Halloween and party sales are booming worldwide. The sales don't just stop at Halloween. Costumes are becoming more popular throughout the year, thanks in part to popular dress-up events such as Renaissance Fairs and sci-fi, comic, and fantasy conventions. Combined with birthday parties and other year-round celebrations, consumer demand for costumes and party goods is a flourishing business that lasts throughout the year. The best way to prepare for this steadily increasing stream of business is to attend the 2015 Halloween and Party Expo. A fun-filled and informational four-day event, the expo brings party supply and costume retailers the latest and greatest the industry has to offer. The expo hosts booths from hundreds of exhibitors, showcasing the cutting-edge party and costume gear that customers will clamor for this year. The 2015 expo will feature the most international exhibitors yet, bringing even more one-of-a-kind party and costume goods than ever before. With the exhibit hall split into three separate areas—Halloween products, fantasy costumes, and party goods—attendees can go straight to the areas that interest them. Visiting the new product area in the exhibit hall is a quick and easy way for repeat attendees to check out

Winter 2015


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