Halloween Retail Sales: Sweet or Sour?

 Retailers in Arkansas say it's never too early to start thinking about your Halloween costume, and this year, the hottest trend for kids continues to be superheroes. For the girls, they're celebrating the 40th anniversary of Woodstock in style, and choosing to dress up as hippies.

"They come in wanting to spend $15 dollars and they end up spending $30 dollars for the kids," said Donna Lusby with Halloween Express in Little Rock.

For adults, pretty much anything goes this year, but once again pirates top the list.

"They might want to spend $50 dollars. They could spend $150 dollars," said Lusby.

Projections for Halloween spending this year are mixed. Some economists predict a 4% increase in sales from last year, while the National Retail Federation predicts a scary scenario, a 15% decrease in sales.

At Halloween express in Little Rock, this store may prove that Arkansas could once again buck the national trend.

"Last year it was a little bit slow, but this year it's really trying to pick up and by the 15th.  We'll really be seeing a change," said Lusby.

It's a similar story down the street at the Halloween Store in Little Rock.

"It's kind of slow right now, but the last week it picks up quite a lot," said Lauren Garner with the Halloween Store.

And if you're wanting to save some cash this year, take it from the experts, get the accessories, and make the rest.

"One guy was wanting to be a vampire and he came here and got the blood. I told him to go to Salvation Army and buy a shirt and put blood on it -- something you don't have to mess up or spend a bunch on," said Garner.