The approaching Halloween holiday means big business for Goodwill stores, locally and nationally. And, it seems more people are flocking to the second hand stores for costume options.
Goodwill of Central Illinois spokesperson Scott Jenkins says stores have already seen a 20 percent spike in sales compared to this time last year.
Jenkins attributes the spike to the growing trend of shoppers heading to Goodwill stores for creative, do-it-yourself Halloween costumes that won’t break the bank.
Board chair Barbara Druryea says October sales are the most profitable for Goodwill stores, nationally and locally.
“Some individuals then have become permanent customers of ours because they come in and see other things they can get with the stores that they didn’t really think, and that’s because of what we do carry,” Druryea said.
Jenkin says local Goodwill stores have a 10-to-15 percent spike in October sales in recent years.
But Druryea says Halloween sales are just the tip of the iceberg for the non-profit...
“It does kind of carry over through the entire holiday season of Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it peaks at Halloween time," Druryea said. "So during the year period of time, our fourth quarter is the highest quarter we have.”
And she says, the growing popularity of “ugly Christmas sweaters” may have something to do with that.
This year, Peoria-area Goodwill stores are offering shoppers the option to round purchases up to the nearest dollar to support the General Wayne A .Downing Home for Veterans.