‘Prom-flation:’ Rising cost of prom, year after year
“Then I have my dress and then I got my shoes also,” stated Anderson. “I still have to get accessories, get my hair and makeup and nails and all that done still.” The rising cost of prom, a high school experience, has been attributed to increased manufacturing costs and increased shipping and materials costs. The minimum wage increased by $2, while retailers were already paying above the minimum wage. The cost of hair, nails and transportation has also increased. Businesses like Jackson Limo Services are no longer providing limos due to higher employee wages and higher gas prices. More students may be choosing saving money over attending their prom. Prom dresses are already being sold for a price cut.
Published : a month ago by Alina Lee in Finance
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Prom is known to be a signature high school experience, but it comes with a hefty price tag year after year.
According to Leilehua High School student, Chelsea Anderson, her prom ticket alone was $100.
“Then I have my dress and then I got my shoes also,” stated Anderson. “I still have to get accessories, get my hair and makeup and nails and all that done still.”
Including the Prom afterparty, the total could be costly.
That price is if you go alone. To bring another guest, tickets are an additional $110. Much of 2024’s ‘prom-flation’ is a result of the pandemic, per Retail Merchants of Hawaii.
“A lot of the manufacturing plants kind of closed down. With the higher cost of minimum wage and shipping and materials, everything has kind of gone up,” stated Retail Merchants of Hawaii President, Tina Yamaki.
The minimum wage increased by $2 when many retailers were already paying above the minimum wage, per Yamaki. Prices are also up in the service industry for hair, nails and transportation. Businesses like Jackson Limo Services used to have their limos booked out months in advance.
“About five years ago, the price would be more around $90, $85 an hour. Now it’s increasing to about $130, $125,” said Anthony Jackson, Owner of Jackson Limo Services.
The business owner also blames higher employee wages as well as higher gas prices. With increased costs, the company is no longer providing limos.
“With the cost being higher now for what we need to charge, a lot of customers don’t want to pay the higher rate. It does hurt business in that sense,” stated Jackson.
More and more students may be choosing to save money over attending their prom, according to Anderson.
“We still have a lot of tickets left. I assume it’s probably because a lot of people can’t afford it… means a lot of people aren’t going,” said Anderson.
For those wanting to save a few bucks, now is the time to shop. Yamaki said prom dresses have already started going on sale.
“They rather it sell this year than have to keep it in inventory because then they’re still going to have to sell it at a deeper discount price next year because the new stuff is coming in,” stated Yamaki.
Topics: Inflation