Latest news with #Halloween-related
Miami Herald
26-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Major Halloween retailer sounds warning consumers need to hear
If there's one holiday Americans love, it's Halloween. And you don't have to be a kid to appreciate the spookiest day of the year. In many parts of the country, Halloween is really a month-long celebration. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter People might save the actual trick-or-treating for October 31. But let's not kid ourselves. The month of October tends to be filled with Halloween-themed events, from haunted hayrides to pumpkin picking to trunk-or-treat events where kids can start loading up on candy early. Related: Walmart CEO has a simple plan to keep prices low despite tariffs Halloween is such an important holiday to retailers that they've taken to advertising it earlier and earlier. It used to be that Halloween candy and products wouldn't hit the shelves until well after Labor Day. Now, it's not unusual to see Halloween displays in the middle of August, at a time when consumers are still doing their grocery shopping in flip flops. Americans are so into Halloween that they're willing to throw a lot of money at it. In 2024, Halloween-related spending hit $11.6 billion, according to the National Retail Federation. On a per-consumer basis, that $104. And while that may not jump out at you as a huge amount of money, let's remember that consumers have been pretty cash-strapped these past few years due to stubbornly persistent inflation. Related: Costco members angry over very personal product change Part of the reason Halloween costs consumers so much money is that celebrating isn't just a matter of buying candy to give out. For parents, it means shelling out money for costumes as well. Even if you're not a parent, you may feel compelled to dress up yourself to greet trick-or-treaters. And if you enjoy being the house on the block with the cool life-size skeleton out front, that's going to run you a nice amount of money as well. Many retailers are worried about the impact tariffs will have on their business in the coming months. There's the financial aspect of tariffs, of course, that has retailers concerned. If it costs retailers more to source inventory, they may have to pass at least some of those costs along to consumers. That could result in slower sales and smaller profits. Related: Iconic mall retailer closing more stores this month But there's another tariff issue retailers have to consider, and it's challenges getting their hands on the inventory they need. Tariffs could force manufacturers overseas to shutter. If business slows down, some factories may not be able to stay afloat. As it is, retailers like Walmart and Target risk a toy shortage this holiday season because a major supplier in China is at risk of shuttering. But that risk isn't limited to toys alone. Spirit Halloween, which is known as the largest Halloween retailer in the U.S., recently announced that it's having trouble getting its hands on the products consumers expect. The Halloween giant normally hosts a grand opening event each year at its flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. Last year, almost 3,000 fans showed up for that event. But this year, Spirit Halloween is scrapping that event due to supply chain issues. In a Facebook message to fans, the retailer said, "Unfortunately, international disruptions and supply chain challenges have thrown a wrench in our opening plans." And while the company said it's on track to open more than 1,500 stores this year, it's clearly anticipating problems with inventory. Spirit Halloween did not directly mention tariffs in its social media message. But reading between the lines, we know that many retailers are bracing for inventory shortages stemming from tariffs. That could trickle down to Halloween, making it harder for fans of the holiday to get their hands on costumes, decorations, and novelties. Halloween fans may want to do their holiday shopping early this year in case supply chain issues persist into the fall season. More Retail: Walmart, Target, Costco make major 2025 announcementFormerly bankrupt retailer makes painful decision to close more storesTop investor takes firm stance on troubled retail brandWalmart and Costco making major change affecting all customers Compounding the issue is the loss of Party City, which filed for bankruptcy in late 2024 and has since shuttered stores and liquidated its inventory. The disappearance of Party City gives Spirit Halloween a prime opportunity to command a larger share of the market this year – but only if it's able to stock its shelves in time. If it can't, consumers might really be out of luck. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Child sex offenders could be banned from trick-or-treating under Lexington lawmaker's bill
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — It may be a little early to start planning your Halloween costume this year, but one lawmaker aims to make the holiday safer.'I just don't think anybody had thought about it. It seems to be a relatively new idea. This passed just within the last couple of years in Ohio. It seems to be catching on from state to state and gaining momentum,' Rep. Chad Aull (D-Lexington) told FOX 56 News. Can sex offenders hand out Halloween candy in Kentucky? Here's what the law says 'It's critical': Kentucky lawmaker aiming to bar sex offenders from Halloween events with minors Lexington lawmaker Chad Aull believes it's one simple way to keep families a little safer in spooky season. House Bill 42 is only a page long, but it would make it illegal for anyone who has committed sex crimes against a minor to participate in a 'Halloween-related activity.' 'Whether that's trick or treating or going to a costume party during and around the holiday of Halloween, specifically,' Aull said. Kentucky law doesn't have any guidelines about restricting offenders on the holiday. The bill would legally define 'Halloween-related activities' to mean: 'An activity involving minors organized around and concerning the celebration of Halloween that occurs any time during the fourteen (14) days before or after October 31 of each year, including but not limited to: Trick-or-treating; A costume party where minors are in attendance; or Any event involving the distribution of candy to minors.' 'We were very strict and very strategic in how we drafted the bill to make sure we didn't accidentally include anything else,' Aull said. Kentucky hunters bring in near record-breaking deer harvest This Kentucky wellness center provides mental health resources to first responders Child sex offenders could be banned from trick-or-treating under Lexington lawmaker's bill Aull is basing this bill around a similar no-candy law recently passed in Ohio. While it covers a broad range of activities, there is a carveout to allow wearing a costume for a legitimate work-related event or the commercial sale of candy and Halloween merchandise—but again, without minors involved. The first violation would be a Class A misdemeanor, and any following would be a felony. The bill has gained bipartisan backing and is waiting to be heard when lawmakers return in February for the remainder of the session. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
