Do-It-Yourself Halloween Costumes Gain Popularity: Goodwill promotes “A Costume a Day, the Goodwil

PRLog (Press Release) - Oct 16, 2009 -
A recent survey by the National Retail Federation estimates that the average shopper will spend about $10 less this Halloween than last year, and that more than 16% of us will cut costs by making costumes instead of purchasing them.  Thrift stores like Goodwill hope to benefit from this trend by promoting inexpensive do-it-yourself costumes.

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida is encouraging people to visit its stores and website (http://www.goodwillswfl.org) for costume suggestions.  Their “Costume a Day, the Goodwill Way” promotion features 30 inexpensive do-it-yourself costumes—one for each day of October leading up to Halloween.  

“We have a little bit of everything,” says Kirsten O’Donnell, Goodwill’s director of Public Relations and Marketing. “With a set of green scrubs, you don’t just have to be a doctor.  With a little tweaking, you could wear those scrubs and be an elf or Peter Pan.  All you need is a little imagination.”

For customers needing a little extra creative help, Goodwill stores will celebrate “Freaky Fridays.”  Each store will have one or more employees dressed in costume, designated to help guests find a one-of-a-kind creation.  But customers can get costume help every day of the week.

“We’ve had waiters, cowboys, and even French maids looking for help with their costumes this year,” says Les Grantham, manager of the Goodwill store on Daniels in South Fort Myers.  Grantham adds “Since we have new items coming in every day, our store associates are really good at helping people hunt down the things they need.”  

“Our shoppers can be pretty imaginative,” says O’Donnell. “And it helps everyone when they buy their costumes at Goodwill. Our customers get a one-of-a kind outfit at a great price, and their purchases help support the community.”

O'Donnell also notes that local Goodwill stores also sell inexpensive packaged Halloween costumes and decorations.

Goodwill operates 24 Retail & Donation Centers in Southwest Florida.  Revenue generated from the resale of donated items funds programs and services for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment.

For a list of costume suggestions, or to learn more about Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, visit http://www.goodwillswfl.org.

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