Local costume shops say expect to see brain-eating zombies knocking on doors this Halloween as ragged costumes and decomposing corpse makeup fly off the shelves.
Released in late September, a survey by the National Retail Federation found seven out of 10 Americans, or 71.5 percent, will celebrate Halloween 2012 in some fashion.
That number is up from 68.6 percent in 2011.
Costumes are arguably the most important aspect of taking part in Halloween, though collecting candy comes in a close second.
Commercially known as a children's holiday, costumers are noticing Halloween is gaining in popularity in adult circles. It's become more of an adult holiday.
"It's also become a very large drinking holiday with bars hosting Halloween costume contests. We've got probably 90 percent adults to 10 percent kids."
Buck Bresler, owner of Illusions Magic & Costume, 31529 Vine St., Willowick, said parents with young children don't want to spend $40 on a children's costume.
"They go trick-or-treating for an hour, so they're only going to spend about $10 or $12," he said. "Older people who go out to parties or whatever want to have a better costume and will spend $60 or $70."
Driving a lot of costume choices is what is popular on television, Miller said. Shows like AMC's "The Walking Dead" are likely behind the popularity of zombies this year.
Released in late September, a survey by the National Retail Federation found seven out of 10 Americans, or 71.5 percent, will celebrate Halloween 2012 in some fashion.That number is up from 68.6 percent in 2011.
Costumes are arguably the most important aspect of taking part in Halloween, though collecting candy comes in a close second.
Commercially known as a children's holiday, costumers are noticing Halloween is gaining in popularity in adult circles. It's become more of an adult holiday.
"It's also become a very large drinking holiday with bars hosting Halloween costume contests. We've got probably 90 percent adults to 10 percent kids."
Buck Bresler, owner of Illusions Magic & Costume, 31529 Vine St., Willowick, said parents with young children don't want to spend $40 on a children's costume.
"They go trick-or-treating for an hour, so they're only going to spend about $10 or $12," he said. "Older people who go out to parties or whatever want to have a better costume and will spend $60 or $70."
Driving a lot of costume choices is what is popular on television, Miller said. Shows like AMC's "The Walking Dead" are likely behind the popularity of zombies this year.
