First National Goodwill Halloween Poll Reveals
Top “Do-It-Yourself” Costumes for Halloween 2014 & More
Goodwill’s First National Halloween Poll in partnership with ORC International research
Get out your scissors, glue guns and use your imagination.
According to a random national poll of American adults commissioned by Goodwills across the country, including Goodwill of Southern Nevada, 62% of women and 57% of men prefer “Do-It-Yourself” costumes over packaged products. Ages 45-54 are the strongest group of DYI at 68% (ORC).
Goodwill’s First National Halloween Poll contains a random phone and cell phone national survey of 1,005 respondents independently conducted by ORC International research, September 18-21, 2014 (margin of error +/- 3%); and a separate “Do-It-Yourself” national in-store costume straw poll of more than 8,000 respondents held in 90 Goodwill stores in Washington, California, Nevada, Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Florida on September 29 – October 6, 2014.
The national in-store straw poll shows zombies, pirates and vampires top the list for the hottest “Do-It-Yourself” costumes this Halloween for both adults and children. (See graph below).
Other notable results:
Goodwill’s National Poll (ORC) reports more than a third of adults (39%) plan to attend or host a party this year. 19% will attend a party for adults (3% will host); 16% will attend a party for both adults and children (4% hosting); and 15% will attend a party primarily for children (with 4% of brave adults hosting).
Funny and minimalist costumes topped the charts at 17%, closely followed at 14% by “very unique attire.” The iconic or classic costume was preferred by 11% of Americans, followed by couple’s costumes at 10%. Gory (4%), trend costumes (2%) and risqué attire (1%) lagged far behind the popular choices.
Half of adults prefer packaged children costumes (compared to 38% who prefer DIY), and there is still a huge market for adult packaged product, with 27% of men and 24% of women preferring packaged costumes.
IN-STORE NATIONAL STRAW POLL RESULTS
|
RANK |
Male Adults (1,201) |
% |
Male Teens (657) |
% |
Male Children (1,703) |
% |
||
|
1 |
Zombie |
8.1 |
Zombie |
9.3 |
Ninja Turtle |
7.0 |
||
|
2 |
Pirate |
6.2 |
Pirate |
4.3 |
Spider Man |
6.8 |
||
|
3 |
Soldier |
2.5 |
Vampire |
3.5 |
Zombie |
5.3 |
||
|
4 |
Clown |
2.5 |
Police Officer |
3.2 |
Ninja |
5.1 |
||
|
5 |
Biker |
2.3 |
Superman |
2.6 |
Batman |
4.7 |
||
|
6 |
Police Officer |
2.1 |
Football Player |
2.6 |
Pirate |
4.2 |
||
|
7 |
Doctor |
2.0 |
Ninja Turtle |
2.6 |
Firefighter |
3.0 |
||
|
8 |
Day of the Dead |
1.8 |
Jason (Fri 13th) |
2.1 |
Police Officer |
3.0 |
||
|
9 |
Duck Dynasty |
1.7 |
Wolfman |
2.1 |
Soldier |
2.7 |
||
|
10 |
Gangster |
1.6 |
Ninja / Soldier (tie) |
2.0 |
Vampire |
2.5 |
|
RANK |
Female Adults (1,823) |
% |
Female Teens (667) |
% |
Female Children (1,968) |
% |
||
|
1 |
Witch |
10.8 |
Witch |
7.4 |
Princess |
18.5 |
||
|
2 |
Zombie |
4.6 |
Princess |
5.1 |
Witch |
6.9 |
||
|
3 |
Pirate |
4.3 |
Zombie |
4.2 |
Fairy |
5.9 |
||
|
4 |
Vampire |
3.2 |
Cheerleader |
3.6 |
Elsa (Frozen) |
5.3 |
||
|
5 |
Nurse |
2.4 |
Cowgirl |
3.6 |
Cat (animal) |
2.9 |
||
|
6 |
Devil |
2.4 |
Fairy |
3.6 |
Angel |
2.5 |
||
|
7 |
Flapper (1920’s) |
2.3 |
Pirate |
2.9 |
Lady Bug |
2.4 |
||
|
8 |
Princess |
2.3 |
Vampire |
2.6 |
Minnie Mouse |
2.2 |
||
|
9 |
Lady of the Night |
2.0 |
Nurse |
1.7 |
Tinker Bell |
2.0 |
||
|
10 |
Fairy |
2.0 |
Supergirl |
1.2 |
Zombie |
2.0 |
Goodwill’s National Halloween in-store straw poll of 8,019 shoppers between Sept 29 – Oct 6 also revealed:
- More adult costume shoppers this year (2,024 adult costumes reported, 3,671 children, 1,324 teens)
- Ninja Turtles, Spider Man, Frozen, Batman, Superman, Friday the 13th and Day of the Dead are strong movie themes among DIY shoppers.
- Zombie, pirate and vampire costumes are trending unisex (gender neutral)