Analysts forecast potentially gloomy Halloween from Sandy

New York -- Sales of Halloween candy, decorations and other items may not reach the $8 billion mark anticipated earlier by the National Retail Federation as Hurricane Sandy turned consumers’ attentions elsewhere.



While plan-ahead shoppers had already made Halloween purchases prior to Sandy’s arrival, the hurricane would have curtailed last-minute shopping for Halloween supplies. Raymond James analyst John Ransom suggested that drug stores would be the hardest hit and that, while hurricane preparations could have boosted revenue for the chains, a scaled-down Halloween would hurt sales, as reported by the Associated Press.



Trick-or-treating in the East will likely be stymied, as well, as downed power lines and flooded and debris-covered streets may cause parents to keep their children home.



New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said Tuesday that he would sign an executive order rescheduling Halloween if conditions on Wednesday are not safe for trick-or-treating. Towns in New Jersey, upstate New York, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire have already made or are considering similar moves, according to AP.