The holiday of Purim is almost upon us, and with the cost of living that applies to almost all areas of consumption, many parents are worried about the cost of costumes, which in many families may entail a significant expense in the monthly budget.
As in any field, you can find a wide range of prices for costumes as well, however, this year some of the prices of costumes actually went down in light of the competition with websites abroad.
The costume manufacturer Shushi Zohar offers branded costumes in three different price categories.
Accessible costumes from the superhero category such as Spider-Man, Superman, Batman, the Green Giant, and more cost NIS 69-89.
The same characters in a more upgraded costume cost NIS 129-139, and premium superheroes with elaborate and luxurious costumes cost NIS 169-199.
In addition, Zohar offers hundreds of costumes of princesses, butterflies, knights, policemen, animals for toddlers at prices that start at NIS 49 and go up to NIS 69.
According to her, the hit of the year is Noa Kirel's collection of ten pop costumes.
Those who settle for the costume of our Eurovision representative from previous years, will pay NIS 89-99.
Lego costume // Photo: PR
Was there a price increase in Zohar's company?
According to them, there is no change in the price compared to last year: "The company is absorbing the price increases. The trend this year is to make a costume accessible to every pocket. In every category we have provided a solution from an accessible to premium price, even in hit brands. Every boy and girl can find themselves with a costume."
Networks report similar trends.
According to Sigal Caspi, CEO of Toys R Us, there is a drop in prices: "We offer costumes in our imports starting at NIS 49.9, such as Snow White, Elsa, superheroes and more.
The maximum price of costumes with us is NIS 189.
In the past, Shushi Zohar's costumes cost NIS 200-250, today they are offered for NIS 59-189.
"The reductions are due to stocks that have accumulated and we have cut their prices by 50-70%. The manufacturers and suppliers abroad have also reduced prices, and this has allowed us to offer better prices to the consumer.
Although the holiday is still far ahead, the demand is very high.
Like every year the boys' hits are Spiderman, Sammy the fireman, all the ninjas and the Avengers.
Among the girls, there is a great demand for princesses and still for Elsa.
A few more adults have the costumes of the festival."
How significant are the price differences between the country and abroad?
"They are zero.
With a difference of 10 shekels, it is better to buy here, with the approval of the Standards Institute, an important factor in particular when it comes to young children.
The quality is better than Ali Express and it is possible to measure and return if the garment does not fit.
In addition, packages do not always arrive from abroad on time."
Doe costume by Max Stock // Photo: PR
The Max Stock chain also lowered most of the costume prices this year to NIS 49.90 instead of NIS 59.90, with the exception of the premium costumes, which are offered for NIS 79.90.
Among the costumes offered at the cheap price you will find racing drivers, policemen, pirates, astronauts and more.
The chain also offers costumes for the religious crowd such as: Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, Nachman Mauman, Sefer Torah and more.
"We have 174 models, of which 159 are sold for NIS 49.9 and are with a standard note," explains Moran Ironi, Max Stock's VP of Marketing, "There is a theory that girls want princess costumes, but this year girls actually preferred costumes like a comic book girl , and the bigger ones also belong to Satan.
There have been best sellers for years, like clowns and ninjas."
Carter's costumes, photo: Assaf Levy
Too exposed?
If we talk about girls' costumes, we have to dwell on the cheap mesh costumes that caused a stir, like an astronaut in an extremely short tank top or that comic book girl whose shirt consists of very little fabric, and looks a bit like underwear.
"Max Stock appeals to all sectors and all audiences throughout the year, and so does Purim," answers Ironi, "in the Purim department, there are more than 170 different models of costumes for all genders and ages. Among the variety of costumes, you can find costumes adapted to ultra-Orthodox society, alongside various costumes to the general public, according to customer demand and in a variety of models, as well as the prevailing fashion. In this way, each and every customer can choose the model that suits them, the same goes for the astronautic costume that comes in a jumpsuit model or a skirt and shirt model."
Caspi also addressed the issue of naked costumes: "Our children's costumes at Toys R Us are not naked. Such are more common in youth costumes. When we sell princess, Barbie and animal costumes of all kinds, they are very respectful."
H&M costume // Photo: PR
The cheapest for tights
More expensive costumes are those that are branded, which is known to make the product very expensive.
There are no branded costumes at Max Stock, and they have reasons for this: "When a supplier receives the franchise of these brands in order to produce and sell the costumes, we must deal with the supplier," says Eroni, "currently it does not work out in terms of Max Stock's commercial terms vis-a-vis him Undoubtedly. In addition, these are the costs of royalties that are passed on to the consumer. We have many other options, and it is important for us to make the price accessible to the entire population."
Shushi Zohar's dragon costume // Photo: Shushi Zohar Studio
According to Noa Ben Abu, the head office manager of the Idan 2000 and Kfar HaShe'e'e toy chains, the fact that these are two large chains with about 80 stores allows them great purchasing power, which is embodied in a competitive price for the consumer: "Compared to previous years, this year we have increased the supply of discounted high-quality costumes, which are A suitable alternative for customers looking for a discounted price, without compromising on quality and compliance with standards. As every year, you can see dedicated costume complexes next to the Idan 2000 stores and the amusement park."
And second-hand costumes are also possible - surprisingly, through the Israeli opera.
The Opera House opens its costume warehouses to the general public and will hold a sale of hundreds of costumes in preparation for the holiday of Purim, in the portico of the Shlomo Lahat (Chich) Opera House in Tel Aviv, on Sunday, February 12, between the hours of 12:30 and 4:00 p.m. 30:30. The sale will offer hundreds of expensive costumes that were sewn especially for different and diverse opera productions over the years, including from the operas "Rigoletto", "La Traviata", "Nabucco", "Othello", "Attila" and many others, whose prices will start at NIS 50.
For those who don't want to leave the house, Shufersal Online is launching for the first time Purim costumes and accessories from "Broria" and other companies such as Bee Cool, Melissa and Dag and more, in an online trading arena called Online MARKETPLACE, which offers thousands of products for direct sale from various sellers in Israel to the company's customers, some of them in special promotions for the platform.
Shufersel's "Wesday" costume // Photo: Yuping
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