It looks like the King of Pop will make his comeback thrilling trick-or-treaters this Halloween.While Michael Jackson will presumably be mimicked in many costumes, vampires, pirates, athletes and witches are among the top adult Halloween costumes, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2009 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey. The survey found some pop culture costumes of last year, including political figures and Batman, fell in popularity.Jill Sherman, co-owner of Halloween Express on Picardy Avenue, said Michael Jackson and vampire accessories are popular this year.”Sales [on vampire costumes] have been up because of the big movies and shows on television right now,” Sherman said. “We’re running out of certain vampire fangs and the makeup that goes along with making them white.”Sherman said her store sold out of Jackson costumes early and had to order more, but it sold out of The King of Pop’s signature sequin gloves. Christian Coleman, chemical engineering freshman, said dressing up like the late superstar is a respectful tribute to his memory if he’s portrayed in the right way and no lines are crossed.Sherman said the sexier costumes are the most popular with women.”We always sell cats, bumble bees, lady bugs [and] sexy firewoman [outfits],” she said. “With men, it’s the funnier costumes.” Immigrant advocacy groups, offended by the “illegal alien” costume, urged retailers, like Target, to pull the adult costume from shelves in mid-October. Ashlea Walker, Spirit Halloween store manager, said her store initially carried an “illegal alien” costume but pulled it off the shelf.Sherman said Halloween Express also carried the costume. She said when news about it hit, people rushed to the store to buy it. She said she did not restock the costume when it sold out.Chris Williams, history and French junior, said he noticed Target pulled the “illegal alien” costume but said he didn’t find it offensive.Consumers are expected to spend an average of $56.31 this year compared to last year’s $66.54, according to the NRF survey. National spending on Halloween is expected to reach $4.75 billion — a decrease from last year’s $5.77 billion.”Retail sales, in general, are down,” said Doug Weimer, economics professor. “You see Halloween sales reflect what’s going on in general. There’s also a projection that it won’t be as strong a Christmas season.”Weimer said people are more likely to recycle costumes to spend less money.Sherman said Halloween Express has not had any problems with sales.”We’re about even where we were last year,” she said. “I expect to be up slightly, but not by a large margin.”Sherman said this is Halloween Express’ second year in business in Baton Rouge. She said the store is doing better with sales this year because more people know about it, and the store has more costumes and accessories stocked. Spirit Halloween declined to comment about sales.Mollye Ashmore, apparel design junior, said the reason Halloween sales are up locally is probably because “people in Louisiana celebrate everything more.”Sherman said the costumes at Halloween Express range from $19.99 to more than $100, but the average costume costs between $50 and $60.The average 18 to 24 year old will spend $68.56 on costumes, according to the survey, but some University students have a lower number in mind.Kayli Robichaux, fashion merchandising sophomore, said she and her roommates are dressing as Barbie dolls.”I didn’t want to spend that much money,” Robichaux said. “I just needed a wig and a microphone. I already have the outfit.”Robichaux plans to borrow her friends’ clothes for her Rockstar Barbie costume, but she went to Halloween Express for the accessories.- – – -Contact Mary Walker Baus at [email protected]