Economy Having Little Impact On Shopping

By Jeffrey Smith, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- With Halloween right around the corner, The News On 6 wanted to find out if the tough times are having an impact on shopping.

Halloween shopping is as strong as it was last year even though gas prices are up and stocks are tanking. Customers say a good way to mask their concern is by buying a good mask.

No matter what happens on Wall Street, Martha Kackley needs to buy her son a light saber. She says her family is driving less and eating at home more, but her sacrifices stop at the holidays.

"You're just making it sad for them, because they don't know about the economy yet, so you know, no reason to make them sad, too," said Kackley.

The stock market had its worst week ever. Wall Street recorded a $2.5 trillion loss in value.

It's enough to make you scream. But adults aren't cutting out the fun, just cutting back.

"We're still holding on to it, especially for that. Everybody is so worried about so many other things, that it's a time to just let loose and kind of not think about those types of things," said Annamarie Hurst.

The store manager says sales are right around where they were last year and he's expecting a surge.

"People are more apt to spend money to fix up their yard and dress up their kids as opposed to going on vacation," said Spirit Halloween Manager Jeff Wood.

Even though the stock market is at record lows, this is an election year, and that's helping sales, with Barack Obama masks, and John McCain masks, split right down the middle.

"I've even had people buy two of the same masks. So maybe their wife will be Barack, and then the father will be McCain," said Wood.

Mall shoppers aren't carrying a lot of bags these days, but they do stop to check out Halloween merchandise. And parents are still willing to shell out the cash.

And seasonal spending so far isn't just strong in Tulsa. National statistics are confirming the trend.

Here's one way of looking at it. This week, the stock market lost 18% of its total value.

Meanwhile, the National Retail Federation says Halloween spending will increase 3% from last year.