Retailers report brisk Halloween sales

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- U.S. consumers aren't foregoing their Halloween costumes and candy, say retailers who were nervous the poor economy would curtail spending for the holiday.

Despite plenty of signs stressed U.S. consumers are cutting back in many areas, the chance to forget their troubles with a Batman costume, Sarah Palin glasses, fake blood and buckets of candy is apparently too much for both adults and children to pass up, The Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

Many Los Angeles stores reported they were out of stock on popular Halloween items, with some even extending their hours to accommodate crowds of shoppers.

"For some reason, I'm going all out this year," said Jo Kurtz of Studio City, Calif., who told the Times she planned to spend $500 on the holiday, up from $100 last year.

"I don't know -- I'm just having a really fun time and all my friends are doing it too," she said. "Anything is a good distraction from reality."

"The numbers are up from last year already, and we haven't even gotten the rush yet," said Shawn Prochazka of the Bizzy B stores, which sell Halloween costumes and accessories. "I'm beefing up my orders to compensate."