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Axios
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Axios
Exclusive: Walmart dives into Summerween with early Halloween push
Walmart is diving into the rising Summerween trend — where Halloween meets the summer heat — with new "Summer Frights" sections in select stores, the retailer shared exclusively with Axios. Why it matters: Halloween fans aren't waiting for fall to shop for the holiday, which is big money for retailers. Last year's sales were projected to reach $11.6 billion, according to the National Retail Federation's annual holiday survey. The NRF has seen the percent of consumers shopping for Halloween before October increase from 32% in 2014 to 47% in 2024. The big picture: The world's largest retailer tells Axios that around 1,000 of its stores nationwide have added the early Halloween displays, which are quickly gaining a following on TikTok. The products range from $1 to $10. Walmart views Summerween as a chance to lean into popular trends"in fun and affordable ways," Marlena Bond, the company's vice president of seasonal, told Axios. Some products like the Summerween Velvet Plush Throw are already out of stock online in some designs. State of play: Halloween is one of the seasonal events most affected by tariffs, with shortages possible. The Halloween and Costume Association warned in April that tariffs are threatening to "wipe out Halloween and severely disrupt Christmas unless urgent action is taken." Michele Boylstein, the association's executive director, previously told Axios that members reported "a wave of order cancellations, and it's creating serious concern about whether shelves will be stocked in time for Halloween." Flashback: The Summerween concept originated with a 2012 episode of Disney Channel's "Gravity Falls," but has grown in recent years because of social media. What's next: Walmart told Axios that a new DIY pumpkin head figure will debut during its upcoming July Deals event, which is held July 8-11, with Walmart+ members getting early access. In the fall, the company says it will have textured terracotta and paper mâché pumpkins and the return of 5' and 7' skeletons. Zoom out: Walmart isn't alone with its early start. Michaels launched two of its five Halloween collections June 13 and has two planned for July.
South China Morning Post
03-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Trump tariffs give US consumers, Chinese manufacturers a Halloween fright
With the impact of US President Donald Trump's so-called reciprocal tariffs haunting American retailers of festive products – nearly 90 per cent of which are imported from China – US consumers may find themselves having to spend more on lower quality Halloween and Christmas novelties this year, industry insiders and analysts warn. Advertisement The 'reciprocal tariffs' were introduced in early April, as American retailers were preparing to stock their shelves for festival celebrations later in the year. Buyers are now working day and night to try to minimise their impact. Industry insiders said the best-available solutions are to either absorb the additional costs of Chinese imports or source the products from places less affected by tariffs, an approach that could come at the expense of product quality. New Jersey's Halloween & Costume Association, a business lobby group representing 45 American companies that provide festive products, said last month that Halloween costumes that previously sold for US$19.99 could now retail for US$39.99, while simple masks formerly priced at US$4.99 could jump to US$9.99. Its executive director, Michele Boylstein, said US tariffs of 145 per cent or higher had seen the market for new imports from China grind to a halt. Advertisement
