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Teenagers--and even some adults--are out for blood, and you can blame it all on the movie "New Moon." It is giving fans plenty to bite into, and retailers are cashing in.
No doubt about it, "Twilight" fans are crazy for "New Moon."
Twilight fan Lisa Chidister says, "I could never get sick of it."
With the film expected to generate over $85 million this weekend, retailers want to make sure they're sinking their teeth into the "Twilight" craze, and fans are definitely biting!
"It says "New Moon," and It's got Edward and Bella on my Hoodie," explained "Twilight" fan Hillary Ramone.
Maree Moigan, also a "Twilight" fan, says, ‘I'm wearing the "Twilight" apple, and then the crystal that Edward gives to Bella. This is the Cullen family crest that Rosalie wears in the movie."
"Twilight" merchandise is everywhere. At Nordstrom, they have Venom lip gloss resembling a vial of blood--it plumps your lips for that just-bitten look. Their jewelry and fashion collection includes Team Edward and Jacob clothing next to the cardboard cutouts for sale.
Keep in mind, here in Utah, these cardboard cutouts of Jacob are sold out and the clothing line of Team Jacob is more popular.
At the store Hot Topic, "New Moon" memorabilia ranges from Edward action figures to purses and towels, to jewelry and key chains. They even sell clothes worn by characters in the movie, like Bella's party dress.
Then there's unofficial "Twilight" merchandise. In the last week, Utah company For Every Body says 8,000 people downloaded coupons for their "Twilight"-inspired candles, and a mom from Tremonton says her handmade glass jewelry sells well on the website Etsy, which showcases more than 17,000 handmade "Twilight"-related products.
Julie Kidman makes and sells "Twilight"-themed Jewelry. She says, "People are just crazy for it and they want it. It is something that's very lucrative. It brings money to your business and to your shop."
University of Utah consumer behavior professor Arul Mishra says, "It's great advertising. It's the best product placement out there. You have extra publicity at that point in time. People are seeing the movie, and that's why they want to buy the merchandise."
And they're buying it for themselves, for gifts and for party favors. Retailers don't mind if this trend, like vampire Edward, never dies.
E-mail: tpapanikolas@ksl.com
