Purim costume sales have dropped by 7% this year compared to 2023 and, according to estimates by BDi Coface research company, market revenues are expected to drop to around 126 million shekels ($34.3 million) compared to last year's 135 million shekels ($36.7 million).
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Yoel Amir, the company's CEO, attributes this decline to cutbacks in various Purim events by local authorities, businesses and private gatherings. In addition, there has been a decrease in orders of costumes from international commerce sites due to concerns about significant delays in delivery, with a preference emerging for purchasing from local vendors. In terms of costume types, there has been a dramatic rise in demand for costumes of the security forces this year.
According to Shoshi Zohar, one of Israel's largest costume marketers, some shipments were delayed. "I didn't fly to China this year to oversee the process, but in the end everything arrived. Even though shipping costs rose, we didn't raise prices this year; we even lowered them because we decided that this year we don't intend to profit from the holiday, just to maintain stability. Sales may decline, but our goal is to bring joy to the people of Israel."
Shirley Peer Jaegermann, CEO of Toys R Us Israel, told Ynet: "It's clear there's a slowdown. No one wants to be happy in such times. It's a somewhat sad Purim. We need to differentiate between children and the rest. Children dress up for school and kindergarten, where we don't see any change. In the kindergarten age, Spider-Man is still the top costume, as well as firefighters, and princesses."
"We see increased requests for costumes of soldiers, astronauts, scouts, IDF spokesperson, police officers, Magen David Adom and security forces. Where's the slowdown? There are no city parades, no society parties, not many parties at all. That's where we see the slowdown, whether it's in teenagers, adults or accessories for teenagers and adults."
'Some schools asked not to come with scary costumes, or weapons and knives'
"All scary costumes from the horror world, which until a year ago were very popular, don't exist this year. We hardly ordered any. Costumes that resemble blood-soaked characters won't be seen this year. No one will dress up as such. There is almost no demand for costumes that mimic injuries."