Growing demand for accessories for Carnival costumes in the Capital

Over the past week, the search for accessories to put together the Carnival look has intensified circulation on Rua Senhor dos Passos, in the Historic Center of the Capital, famous for bringing together costume shops and party items. After two years of movement restrictions due to the pandemic, the “Momo party” returns with force, moving an entire sector of commerce. In the evaluation of the Federation of Chambers of Shopkeepers of Rio Grande do Sul (FCDL-RS), stores specializing in items typical of carnival festivities may even double sales in the period, compared to other times of the year.

According to Rosi Frigo Luz, owner of Linna, a costume and party items store, the establishment recorded a 104% increase in the sale of Carnival-related products compared to the same period in 2022. Among the most desired items, glasses and Haman necklace stand out, having a sales increase of 310% and 126%, respectively. “Our summer is very hot, people have opted more for accessories, as they are lighter and cooler than costumes”, she comments.

For Vanessa Jardine, owner of SV Fantasias, the resumption of Carnival festivities has been positive. Since the beginning of the morning, the establishment registered a large flow of public. “People from the block have been looking for our store a lot”, she reports. The shopkeeper reveals that hot pants bikinis, tulle skirts, hairspray and headbands are the items most sought after by customers.

Buying complete costumes has not been a draw for those going to revelry this year. Nurse Pedro Guilherme Nascimento went after glitter to complement his sailor costume. For him, who doesn’t intend to spend a lot, it was more affordable to put together a costume with clothes he already owns than to buy one. Paulo Scherer, owner of Glow, a store specializing in costumes and party items, reveals that expectations were very high for the return of Carnival. However, demand is still timid in the store. “It’s Carnival week, we’re definitely going to have a movement. We invested in search of a slightly higher return”, he comments. According to the shopkeeper, what has been selling a lot are precisely accessories to assemble or complete the look, such as glitter, serpentine, glitter, makeup and foam.

According to the FCDL, consumption in the days leading up to the holiday and during Carnival should be concentrated in restaurants and bars, supermarkets, light clothing stores, jewelry, shoes and pharmacies, especially cosmetics. The average purchase price can be around R$160.00.

The years of isolation as a result of the pandemic were very harmful to Senhor dos Passos costume and party supplies stores. With inoperative establishments and falling revenue, some shopkeepers had to lay off employees and close branches, in addition to having to seek help from the National Support Program for Micro and Small Businesses (Pronampe). Despite everything, people have not stopped looking for costumes to celebrate Carnival in the pandemic. According to Remilia Campos, owner of 1001 Novidades, last year there were many requests from customers who planned to have small parties indoors. “I don’t mean crowds, but rather small families who wanted to dress up with their children”, she says.