Searching for that perfect joker costume Melanie Dupuis is getting set for Halloween – one of her favourite times of the year.
The Canadian Retail Council estimates Canadians spend roughly $1-billion a year on Halloween, surpassing Americans in Halloween sales.
"I think it's just the fun of it, the excitement and going out to haunted houses and doing all the Halloween activities,” says Dupuis. “It's once a year, but it's a good day. It’s fun, so why not!"
That fun is big business. At the Spirit Halloween store in Barrie, customers spend an average of 60 to 100 dollars per costumes.
"I think they're not afraid to spend that money because this is only once a year, the rest of the year you're you, but today, Halloween, you can be whoever you want to be," says Matt Lund, Spirit Halloween manager.
The billion dollar freight economy goes beyond costumes and candy. Some are in the business of scaring others.
"Some people I've seen walk out of here with 2-3 thousand of dollars worth of stuff,” says Lund. “It's amazing just watching people. They get so excited for the Halloween season."
