WAIKIKI, Hawaii -- Waikiki retailers said did not see the boom in business they hoped for over the Halloween weekend.

The trick-or-treating fell on a Saturday this year and by most accounts. They said t was retail disappointment.

October is traditionally the worst tourism month of the year when visitor arrivals are normally at their lowest.

Waikiki businesses were hoping to see a one night spike this Halloween -- but it wasn't to be.

Waikiki's Ferragamo store still had a basket full of Halloween candy left over.

"It was slow," said Nancy Wu, with Salvatore Ferragamo.

A lot of people just came out to join the crowd.

"No, not much shopping," Wu said.

Sales clerks at Honolua Surf Company agreed.

"It was super slow," said Laiming Tam. "It was dead. My co-workers were just like watching, like watching people walking around and stuff."

Over and over, Waikiki retailers said Halloween crowds did not translate into increased sales this year.

Some blamed the slumping economy and tourism. Others blamed the competing block party in downtown.

"The streets were kind of like empty, more so than last year. It was just like a walk in, walk out kind of thing," Tam said. "It's kind of lame when people don't come in.

But everyone has to eat and that's why restaurants and eateries got the bulk of the business.

"This Halloween was significantly busier," said Nick Roshci, with The Cheesecake Factory restaurant.

Cheesecake Factory said its business has been booming despite the bleak economy and the downturn in tourism.

"The local clientele supported us fantastically. (We) had a lot of locals in Waikiki for the weekend," said Roshci.

State tourism numbers show October saw a 1.1 percent increase in visitor arrivals this year.

September saw a 7 percent spike.

Although tourism officials see challenges ahead, Waikiki retailers are seeing some upward movement.

The Honolua Surf Company hit its goal for the tough month of October.

"Like we beat what we made last year. So we did pretty good," Tam said.

Retailers said they also believe business suffers whenever there is a big event on the streets of Waikiki. They said more people are drawn to the events and away from their stores.