Target is getting an early start on Halloween, rolling out 1,500 new products online as back-to-school shopping enters its final phase.
The National Retail Federation, which tracks Halloween spending intentions, had 2024 consumer budgeting for Halloween as the second highest in history, at $11.6 billion, just short of the $12.2 billion spent in 2023. Although NRF’s Halloween spending forecast for 2025 is not out yet, it’s worth noting that, according to the organization, Halloween spending has grown enormously since the $3.3 billion budgeted in 2005.
The Target Halloween rollout includes candy and costumes, but also a wide array of home decor and tabletop products. The company has launched a collection under its Threshold private label that emphasizes dark mysticism with elevated touches and deep colors, sophisticated mix-and-match items and baroque, Victorian-inspired pieces, Target stated. Products include gold snakeskin taper candles, dark floral skull and pumpkin pillows. The Threshold Halloween Glass Pumpkin Burgundy, which can work as a candy dish or serveware piece, sells for $20.
The Target Halloween Shop, dubbed Trick or Treat Lane, includes a Hyde and Eek! Boutique that features home decor products ranging from a 27-inch Lit Premium Glows under Blacklight Spider Tombstone for $40, an 8-inch Light and Sound Candy Bowl Skull Halloween Decorative Prop in white for $30, and a 3-piece Black Cats Mini Mantle Ceramic Decorative Accent Set for $5.
Hyde and Eeek! also includes a Kitchen & Dining designation, which includes items such as a $3.75 14.8-fluid-ounce Halloween Earthenware Figural Skull Mug in pink, a $6 3-Liter Plastic Round Shaped Pumpkin Candy Serving Bowl and a $12 2.1-gallon Metal Thrills and Chills Beverage Tub.
Although indicative of how it intends to apply branding to its seasonal efforts, Target’s Halloween rollout is more expansive than just what’s included in the Hyde and Eeek! Boutique.
The overall Halloween presentation, under the title Haunt the House, includes the designations Mugs & Drinkware, Kitchen & Table Linens, Dinnerware, Serveware, Bakeware & Kitchen and Cocktailing. Products include, under Dinnerware, for example, a Silver Buffalo Sanrio Hello Kitty Pumpkin Boo 8-Inch Ceramic Dinner Plate for $14.99 and a Halloween-themed 16-piece Blue Rose Polish Pottery Vena Dinnerware set for $633. Bakeware & Kitchen includes a $5.29 Pyrex Easy Grab 9.5-inch Glass Pie Pan, Round, and, at the top end of the price range, a Halloween-themed $92.50 Blue Rose Polish Pottery 879 Zaklady Pie Plate. In Cocktailing, holiday-themed products include everything from a Big Dot of Happiness 25-count Jack-O’-Lantern Happy Halloween Drink Coasters, 4-Inch Disposable Round Paper Coasters set for $12.99 to a Creative Products Spooky Vibes Only 16-ounce Glass Can Cup for $36.99. Then, to unite the fall and winter holiday seasons, Target is offering a Silver Buffalo Disney Nightmare Before Christmas Halloween Town Mini Shot Glasses Set of Four at $18.99.
“We know millions of families love Halloween and don’t want to wait until October to shop, so Target is ready with over 1,500 new items so you can start preparing right now,” says Rick Gomez, Target chief commercial officer, in announcing the Halloween launch. “With great value on delicious treats from Favorite Day and beloved national brands, stylish decor, and costumes for kids of all ages, Target has everything you need to celebrate a magical season.”
