Halloween has already taken hold at Target, with Lewis the Pumpkin Ghoul on patrol at many stores.
Now the retailer is rolling out all of its treats for the spooky holiday, adding 1,300 new items including low-cost costumes starting at $15. Some options are the Kids' Disney Frozen 2 Elsa Basic costume and Anna Basic costumes, Toddler Disney Belle and Rapunzel costume dresses, and a Toddler Mickey Mouse costume.
The wave of new products hitting all Target stores also includes haunting home decorations and Halloween snacks. That's on top of the lineup of big outdoor and indoor decorations Target has been selling online and in stores including the glowing, talking 8-foot-tall Bruce the Skeleton Ghoul and smaller Little Lewis and Baby Lewis hanging illuminated pumpkinhead decorations.
Competitors such as Home Depot, Lowe's and Costco have also bought out their big Halloween decorations way ahead of the holiday.
Targeting Halloween shoppers, no pun intended, is a good move for retailers. That's because Halloween spending could top last year's record of $12.2 billion in 2023, according to the National Retail Federation – even though shoppers remain concerned about inflation and higher price tags on some products.
Costco:The cost of a membership has officially increased for first time since 2017
Even though U.S. shoppers still feel the pain of high prices, nearly half (49%) say they will spend $51 or more on costumes, up from 47% last year – and one-fourth (24%) said they planned to spend more than $100 – suggests a survey of 1,048 U.S. consumers in August by marketing firm Advantage Solutions, which advises retailers and consumer goods manufacturers.
Halloween decorators are expected to spend more, too, with 57% saying they will spend $51 or more, up from 36% spending that much in 2023.
Shoppers said they would buy costumes earlier in the season – with 50% of those surveyed saying they plan to shop at least 15 days before Oct. 31. As for candy purchases, 70% of shoppers said they would put off buying until within the last week before the holiday.
Halloween:Does holiday seem to be coming earlier each year? The reasoning behind 'Summerween'
This shopping strategy reflects ongoing consumer concerns about inflation and a potential pending recession, the firm says. “This trend reflects a broader consumer behavior where individuals are tightening their budgets on everyday expenses yet remain unwilling to sacrifice their cherished holidays and small luxuries,” said Kelly Ravestijn, senior vice president of commerce intelligence at Advantage Unified Commerce, a division of Advantage Solutions, in a statement accompanying the survey.
“Even as they cut corners elsewhere, consumers increasingly view holidays like Halloween as non-negotiable indulgences, reinforcing their value in the retail landscape," Ravestijn said.
Target is catering to the millions of consumers who enjoy celebrating Halloween while addressing concerns about the economy, said Rick Gomez, Target's executive vice president and chief commercial officer, in a statement.
"Target is making it easier than ever to get everything you need – including exceptional value – to enjoy each celebration leading up to October 31," he said. "More than 1,300 of our Halloween items are new this year – that's 75% of our assortment – including Wicked costumes, new candy from Favorite Day, and so much more to make the entire season memorable."
Here's a look at those Halloween products, which you can find in Target stores and on Target.com:
Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.
What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day
2024-12-24 09:38961 view
2024-12-24 09:312157 view
2024-12-24 09:14309 view
2024-12-24 08:4365 view
2024-12-24 08:02680 view
2024-12-24 06:57896 view
ATLANTA — We’re going to have plenty of time, like maybe a decade or two, to talk about Cooper Flagg
The story of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who fatally shot their parents in 1989, can't be told without t
Cheryl Burke is hoping for healing.The Dancing With the Stars alum shared a message to former costar