Goodwill in Winter Garden creates unique Halloween costumes at a discounted price

Halloween is back next week and this month has brought some scary statistics with supply chain shortages and more people celebrating the holiday than ever, despite the continued COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to experts, supplies and decorations are being impacted by the same supply chain issues that United States and Central Florida has seen for months since the pandemic initially started. All the decorations, candy and costumes are loaded up at ports around the U.S. but there aren't enough truck drivers to deliver them to stores. 

Consumers are expected to spend a record $10.14 billion on Halloween this year, according to the National Retail Federation. The numbers are up from $8.05 billion last year when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested that most avoid trick-or-treating.

According to the NRF's annual survey of 8,061 consumers, conducted Sept. 1-8 by research firm Prosper Insights and Analytics, the average consumer is expected to spend $102.74 on costumes, candy, decorations and greeting cards, which is $10 more than last year. 

Goodwill is also noticing a spooky Halloween trend with customers beginning their holiday shopping earlier than expected this year. 

"I think last year because of how bad the pandemic was, people weren't able to celebrate Halloween in the big styles they were used to," said Kim Praniewicz, Goodwill spokeswoman. "This year they have begun to plan ahead earlier than ever. We have been blessed with some very generous donors that help us out so that we never have a shortage."

According to Goodwill's annual Halloween Survey, three in four Americans (74%) plan to celebrate Halloween this year. The most popular ways people plan to celebrate include giving out candy to trick-or-treaters (41%), wearing a costume or dressing up (34%), decorating their homes (34%) and attending a party, either in-person or virtual, with family or friends, (24%).

As many people plan to partake in traditional Halloween activities this year, safety concerns around COVID-19 loom over the season. A majority of Americans (73%) say overall safety concerns due to the pandemic will have some impact on their Halloween plans this year. Most say their plans will be affected a lot (32%) or somewhat (29%), while 12% feel their plans will be impacted a little.

"Halloween is Goodwill's busiest season as customers embrace do-it-yourself costume and décor shopping at Goodwill stores," said Onney Crawley, chief marketing officer of Goodwill Industries International. "There are many ways to celebrate Halloween while taking safety precautions during the pandemic. Whatever your plans, Goodwill stores are a one-stop shop with a wide range of Halloween merchandise to fit your needs."

Goodwill in Winter Garden has proven that customers can create their own unique Halloween costumes at a discounted price. The non-profit provided DIY residents the ability to stand out and get creative in the process. Plus, everything from the store goes back to benefit the community. 

One of the most popular costumes the store has on display right now is a Cruella de Vil DIY. The newest movie starring Emma Stone came out earlier this year. 

Desi Pappas, Goodwill in Winter Garden employee, said she put the costume together with pieces she found across the store. The costume is less than $60. An adult Cruella costume from Part City starts off at $80. 

"You can find anything that works in the store and kind of work off of that," Pappas said. "I love being able to use my imagination and my creativity to help inspire others. It's one of my favorite parts of the job."

The Goodwill Halloween Survey also found that Halloween costumes based on pop culture trends or characters from TV, movies, video games or books are the most popular among respondents planning to dress up this year. Twenty-eight percent preferred these kinds of costumes this year, followed by iconic Halloween costumes, such as witches, ghosts, zombies or werewolves (25%), and very unique, one-of-a-kind costumes at (24%).

One of the ways the store helps customers with their Halloween costumes is with its 2021 Halloween Look Book. 

The book is produced all in-house with the help of Pappas and the rest of the marketing team. The Look Book showcases popular looks and pieces together the costumes with supplies from Goodwill. 

The Cruella costume is one one of the bigger pieces with lots of accessories. Other costumes in the Look Book can be built for much less. Goodwill dresses start at $7.99 and shoes are under $10. A children's Disney princess costume from Spirit Halloween starts at $50 and can go up to $75 depending on the princess. 

"We offer quality and low cost goods here all year round," Praniewicz said. "It has been a tough couple of years for a lot of families and knowing that we can help in this small way and in others means the world to us."