(Washington DC) Consumers got some more encouraging economic news today when the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics issued its latest modified inflation report. A spokesperson for the Bureau cited an unexpectedly large drop in retail prices for an unusual sector of the economy, Halloween decorations. The adjusted twelve-month cpi fell to only 1.8%, giving the Federal Reserve much needed breathing room for lowering interest rates.
Big box retailers started getting shipments of Halloween decorations in mid-August to satisfy what was expected to be a high demand for such seasonal exterior embellishments. They set prices based on high demand but have been shocked by finding that skeletons were suffering from strong demand elasticity, in economic speak. That means consumers weren’t rigid in their demands for skeletons, owing to some other market forces. Consequently, the low demand for skeletons has put a drag on the prices of all decorations resulting in a dilemma for retailers.
A local reporter from TV station KBOO in Wichita, KS asked a shopper in a big box store what Halloween decorations she was putting out this year. She replied, “Nothing but skeletons! Since J D Vance became the Republican Vice-Presidential nominee, millions of them have come out of his closet.”
Vance immediately claimed credit for this economic stroke of genius.
Ah economics can be such a complicated web. "Trick or Treating" down in these parts, but house decoration and Halloween parties are up! But as your analysis stated, consumers make no bones about switching from hanging fake skeletons from trees to hanging old sheets with cut out eyes. Let us hope that DT and JD don't have a ghost of a chance of winning. And that Frankentrump and his gang of gargoyles will go back into the closet forever. I did hear that Vance is only decorating his house with mummies this year.
As a lover of all things Halloween this is very concerning ….