The week before Halloween, shoppers crowded into a Goodwill in South Mississippi looking for costumes. It was Dollar Monday, and the store was busier than usual.

Nationwide, Americans are expected to spend $13.5 billion on Halloween this year. A growing slice of that money is going to secondhand shops.

WLOX in Gulfport talked to local sellers for its story, Halloween thrifting on the rise, and the stories they told say a lot about how people shop today.

Last Minute Costume Hunters Packed The Aisles On Dollar Monday

Katie Myers, marketing manager for Goodwill Industries of South Mississippi, said “thrifting is at an all-time high right now.” In the days before Halloween, she said, the store saw more traffic than normal.

The Monday before the holiday was Dollar Monday, and it drew plenty of people who still did not have a costume. Some were building their own outfits out of thrifted pieces.

Myers also noted that younger generations love to thrift, and that online resellers work the area as well.

The National Numbers Are Huge

According to the National Retail Federation, shoppers are expected to spend an average of $115.14 per person on Halloween this year. Costumes are the biggest category, at about $4.4 billion.

Home decor is right behind at roughly $4.3 billion. That is the part of the market where the thrift store has a natural edge.

Think about it. Pumpkins, napkins, wreaths and kitchenware are things people pull out for a few weeks and then put away. Few of us want to pay full price for something we will use for a couple of weeks.

Antique Malls Are Now A Hot Spot For Halloween Decor

Nikki Skrmetti of the Mississippi Antique Galleria told the station her store has become a go to place for decorations. She said the shopping is more economical, and buyers like the idea of buying previously loved goods for a holiday they will only use briefly.

The Galleria began getting ready for Halloween weeks ahead of time, and its team is already planning for the next holidays. The store draws customers of every age.

A photo with the story shows a vintage themed Halloween display set up in one of the vendor booths.

The Savviest Shoppers Wait For After Halloween

Skrmetti also pointed out a trick that veteran shoppers already know. Shopping does not stop on November 1. When deeper discounts hit the sales floor after the holiday, people stock up for the following year.

That means this week is actually a great time to buy. Seasonal items are often marked down, and the thrift shelves are full of the leftovers of last weekend’s parties.

Why Secondhand Is No Longer A Last Resort

A few years ago many people thought of thrift stores as a place you went only when money was tight. That has changed.

Today shoppers of every age go for the thrill of the find, the lower prices and the idea that buying used keeps good items out of the trash. Myers said younger shoppers in particular enjoy the hunt, and that fits what is happening in many towns.

It also means competition. Resellers who shop the same racks look for brand name clothes and collectible decor, so the early bird still catches the best items.

For a family on a budget, a thrifted costume or a secondhand wreath can stretch a Halloween budget a long way compared with the $115.14 national average.

Before you buy anything, ask yourself how many times you will use it. A decor piece that will come out every October for ten years is a better value than a costume that gets worn once.

Smart Ways To Thrift For A Holiday

Whether you are looking for costumes, decor or next year’s treasures, a few habits make secondhand shopping go further.

• Start with a list. Know whether you need a costume, table decor or yard pieces so you do not come home with a pile of random items.
• Check the quality. Look for broken zippers, stains, missing pieces and loose seams, especially on costumes.
• Test anything electric. If a string of lights or a lighted figure has a frayed cord, leave it on the shelf.
• Wash costume pieces and wipe down decor before using them, since you cannot tell where they were stored.
• Look past the Halloween section. Black dresses, old hats, brass candlesticks and glass jars often make better costumes and decor than the labeled items.

It also pays to be flexible. Last minute shoppers sometimes find the best items, such as a vintage cape or an old brass candle holder, because those pieces arrive at random.

And do not forget the next holiday. Thanksgiving and Christmas are around the corner, and the stores are already stocking autumn dishes, tablecloths and ornaments that look just right on a mantel.

The bottom line is that secondhand has gone from a shortcut to a first choice. With prices high everywhere else, the shelves at a thrift store look better than ever.

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