http://66.225.205.104/JR20081031a.mp3
Like most Americans, Candace Rogers is sticking to a budget. But not when it comes to Halloween. She and her friends plan to spend twice as much as usual. "We're gonna get two costumes because we have two parties to go to," says Rogers, scanning a wall of skimpy outfits at a costume store. "I'm looking for probably like a pirate costume, and a nurse costume." That sexy pirate costume runs about 80 bucks. It pays to be in the Halloween business right now. The National Retail Federation says people will spend about 3 percent more this year. Costume seller Philip Morris says Halloween sales are up twenty percent at some of his stores in Charlotte. "It's an escape holiday," reasons Morris. "If you want to become a movie starlet; if you want to become the President of the United States. And all of your troubles and all of your woes can be just left behind." Hundreds of workers are packing orders at a frenzied pace inside the Morris Costumes Warehouse. They're a top Halloween wholesaler. Morris says Batman and Indiana Jones are hot this year. So what does a Halloween mogul go as? "I'm gonna go home and go to bed," says Morris, with a chuckle. "We're working almost 24 hours a day." And making lots of money.