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Superheroes, Princesses, Witches and Zombies Rule Halloween in Macomb County and Beyond

Shoppers are flocking to costume stores along Hall Road to find their favorite characters this season.

Millions of people are getting into the Halloween spirit this week as they prepare to celebrate the holiday by topping off candy bowls and picking out costumes.

On Wednesday, trick-or-treaters across the nation will head out disguised as vampires, witches, superheroes, pirates and other characters.

Nearly 80 million people are planning to wear costumes this year, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2012 Halloween consumer spending survey. Americans will spend about $3 billion on costumes in 2012.

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Popular costumes fly off shelves

Lannette Deese, assistant manager at Spirit Halloween in Clinton Township, said costume sales have jumped at the Gratiot location this year.

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The store’s best-selling costumes for children include superheroes, ninjas and Monster High characters, she said. Zombie costumes are also a popular choice, including variations like zombie cheerleaders and prom queens.

Marvel superheroes, pirates, zombies and nurses are among the store’s best-selling adult costumes, Deese added.

“I think people really like (dressing up as) things that are on T.V. and that they see out in the world,” she said, referring to this year’s top costume picks. “Like the Marvel costumes – everybody’s into that because of the Batman movie.”

According to a press release from the NRF, many people will dress as athletes or wear some type of political costume after drawing inspiration from recent and current events like the Olympics and the Nov. 6 election.

Halloween City near Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights also offers a variety of costumes, wigs, props and accessories.

Ashley Petrella and her 22-month-old daughter Milana Bondar checked out the store’s costume selection last week, ultimately choosing a furry, red Elmo suit over Yo Gabba Gabba’s Foofa costume.

“We’re thinking Elmo,” said Petrella, a Chesterfield Township resident. “That’s what she wanted to be from the get go.”

L’Anse Creuse High School North senior Kristin Abbott also browsed around the store, hoping to find the right accessories to complete her costume.

The 18-year-old will play the role of a demonic creature’s sacrificial victim as part of her job at ScareFest ScreamPark in Lenox.

“I’m just getting a few things to keep me warm because it will probably be 30 degrees outside at night,” Abbott said.

Witch, princess costumes among national best sellers

Based on its survey, the NRF expects the average person to spend about 10 percent more this year on decorations, candy and costumes. Total Halloween spending is expected to hit $8 billion.

The NRF survey shows that nearly six million adults nationwide will dress up as witches, while more than three million others will wear vampire costumes.

About 10 percent of children will dress as princesses, according to the NRF, and about the same amount will wear Batman and Spider-Man costumes.

The survey also reveals that about 15 percent of Halloween celebrants plan to buy costumes for their pets.

Check out the results of the NRF’s 2012 top costumes survey below to see what costumes will reign nationwide this year:

Top Children's Costumes Top Adult Costumes Top Pet Costumes Princess Witch Pumpkin Batman Vampire Devil Spider-Man Pirate Hot dog Witch Batman character Cat Disney princess Zombie Bee

What are you going to be for Halloween? Send in a picture of your costume.

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