BuySeasons should continue growth, CEO says

New Berlin - Despite the lagging economy, BuySeasons Inc., New Berlin, an online supplier of Halloween costumes and other party accessories, should continue to grow in sales and be able to offer more employment, CEO Daniel Haight said last week.

BuySeasons recently completed a 30 percent expansion of its facility at 5915 S. Moorland Road. It constructed a 110,000-square-foot addition to its existing 360,000-square-foot corporate headquarters and distribution center.

The expansion was needed to accommodate the growth of the business that offers more than 22,000 costumes, accessories, seasonal décor and party supplies online and to stores.

The company has seen an increase in sales of party supplies as it has expanded its product offerings, Haight said. The building expansion will give room to grow more, especially in that area, he said.

And as growth occurs, the company will continue to add workers. The building addition reflected growth but did not trigger an immediate uptick in hiring, Haight said.

But the company, founded in 1999, has already grown to more than 500 full-time employees and usually hires 1,500 to 1,800 seasonal workers for the Halloween rush.

The economy has affected sales to the extent that people are waiting longer to buy, Haight said.

In these weeks before Halloween, which are the busiest of the year, he guessed that the busiest day would be either Oct. 18 or 19. But the company can handle late orders.

"We'll be shipping costumes on Oct. 29 and still be able to deliver by Monday, Oct. 31," Haight said.

- Jane Ford-Stewart