Boo! Halloween spending boosts small businesses competing with chain stores
As Halloween approaches, Americans are expected to spend over $13 billion on costumes and decorations, according to the National Retail Federation. That provides a boost to local businesses like Carolina Fashions in Mauldin. Melodie McKnight and her son Oliver are dressing as pirates this year. Saving money is a major priority. “We’re, like, working on one income right now. So, like, it’s a lot better first to save money than to spend it,” McKnight said.Carolina Fashions has been a Mauldin staple for nearly 30 years, offering a vast selection in its 45,000-square-foot space. Robert Watson is the store manager. And the store strategy, Watson said, is part of why they’re so popular.”Yeah. You know, we keep it personal. And you won’t get that in the store that pops up two or three months a year,” Watson said. Andrea Galehouse from the SC Small Business Development Center explained that small businesses have to know their audience and get creative reaching them. “Small businesses really can’t compete on the same level as a big box store. So, they’ve got to look for ways to connect with their target audience and be able to find out what really makes their audience interested in shopping with them,” Galehouse said.Makaila Stanley, traveled from Anderson to shop at Carolina Fashions. “There’s a spirit Halloween maybe like eight minutes from my house. Honestly, but it’s so expensive. And what I like about this store is that it’s more like vintage,” Stanley said.Despite the challenges posed by larger competitors, Watson said, “Competition can be scary, but it can be helpful. The pandemic and things that followed, really increased prices for a lot of people and stuff. So that competition with the higher prices actually has helped us.” As Halloween approaches, local businesses like Carolina Fashions continue to attract customers with their unique offerings and personal touch. Their goal: to live to scare another day.
As Halloween approaches, Americans are expected to spend over $13 billion on costumes and decorations, according to the National Retail Federation.
That provides a boost to local businesses like Carolina Fashions in Mauldin.
Melodie McKnight and her son Oliver are dressing as pirates this year. Saving money is a major priority.
“We’re, like, working on one income right now. So, like, it’s a lot better first to save money than to spend it,” McKnight said.
Carolina Fashions has been a Mauldin staple for nearly 30 years, offering a vast selection in its 45,000-square-foot space. Robert Watson is the store manager.
And the store strategy, Watson said, is part of why they’re so popular.
“Yeah. You know, we keep it personal. And you won’t get that in the store that pops up two or three months a year,” Watson said.
Andrea Galehouse from the SC Small Business Development Center explained that small businesses have to know their audience and get creative reaching them.
“Small businesses really can’t compete on the same level as a big box store. So, they’ve got to look for ways to connect with their target audience and be able to find out what really makes their audience interested in shopping with them,” Galehouse said.
Makaila Stanley, traveled from Anderson to shop at Carolina Fashions.
“There’s a spirit Halloween maybe like eight minutes from my house. Honestly, but it’s so expensive. And what I like about this store is that it’s more like vintage,” Stanley said.
Despite the challenges posed by larger competitors, Watson said, “Competition can be scary, but it can be helpful. The pandemic and things that followed, really increased prices for a lot of people and stuff. So that competition with the higher prices actually has helped us.”
As Halloween approaches, local businesses like Carolina Fashions continue to attract customers with their unique offerings and personal touch. Their goal: to live to scare another day.
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