Wholesale Costumes

In fact, the global cosplay costumes and wigs market was valued at US $34.5 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach US $92.8 billion by 2030 (CAGR:15.20%).

The message for retailers? Stocking up on famous TV or comic character costumes from wholesalers or manufacturers can attract a vast array of cosplayers to your retail store.

However, don’t just narrow your focus on cosplay. In 2022, Halloween saw a record-breaking $10.6 billion in American spending.

And costumes alone made up $3.6 billion of this spending.

Here’s the breakdown:

Adult costumes: $1.7 billion
Children’s costumes: $1.2 billion
Pet costumes: $0.7 billion

So, by tapping into this segment, you can cater not only to the annual Halloween surge but also make money from year-round festivities and events.

Wholesale Costumes: What’s Trending in the Market

For those looking to keep their inventory fresh and appealing, here’s what to capitalize on.

Witch costume

Given that horror films account for up to 8% of all costume searches, the witch costume is the most searched for Halloween in 2022, as per Google Frightgeist.

So, get the witch costumes from popular hits like “Hocus Pocus”, “The Craft” etc. to let customers have that spooky look.

Barbie and Ken

The Barbie movie has been a massive hit, earning over $1.38 billion at the global box office as of September 4, 2023.

Consequently, Barbie and Ken costumes are likely to be in high demand amongst both adults and children.

Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

The Little Mermaid raked in $298 million domestically and $569 million worldwide during the 2023 summer.

Costumes inspired by this movie are likely to see considerable demand.

Wednesday Addams

"Wednesday" has been one of the most-watched shows on Netflix, boasting 1,718,800,000 hours of watched time.

This means you can expect a high demand for costumes inspired by the main character and other roles from the show.

Additional Tip: While costumes are the focal point, think of adding themed accessories like shoes, masks, wigs, and more to your inventory. They not only complete the wearer’s look but can also boost your sales figures.

Now that we’ve discussed the potential and popularity of the costume market, let’s delve into the sourcing considerations.

What to Look for When Buying Costumes in Bulk?

As a retailer, you should prioritize:

Quality

Be it any clothing item, good quality is important as it reflects your brand. It often brings back customers and gets you referrals.

So, before making a bulk purchase, request samples. This will allow you to assess the fabric, its stitching, seams, and overall finish.

Also, inspect for flaws as even minor defects or tears can harm your brand’s reputation.

Range and Fit

Offering a diverse range of sizes, colors, styles, and themes will attract more customers with different preferences.

Have both kids' and adult versions of popular costumes to serve every age group.

And besides standard sizes, offering plus-size costumes can help you capture a market segment that many stores tend to overlook – setting your business apart.

For these plus-size offerings, ensure the fit is flattering and the designs are as varied and stylish as other size ranges.

Now, let’s focus on the peak period for costume retailers.

Halloween Costumes: Market Demand in October

According to Google Trends, the searches for costumes in the US have remained consistent for October over the past five years.

This consistency is primarily due to Halloween when people dress up as various characters.

Approximately 39.3% of adults plan to dress up for Halloween this year. So, instead of waiting for the October rush, why not stock up on costumes in August or September?

This will allow you ample time to source diverse costumes from wholesalers.

And you’ll be all set when the season starts.