Meijer Sees Increase in Customers Preparing for Halloween Early

Meijer is already seeing an increase in demand for Halloween items. The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer is seeing as much as a 50 percent rise in customers taking advantage of early Halloween savings on décor, candy and costumes.

“Our store directors are reporting that their customers are very enthusiastic about what we have to offer for Halloween, which has really become an important seasonal celebration with trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving and costume parties all month long,” says Peter Whitsett, executive vice president of merchandising and marketing. “Meijer offers a wide selection of Halloween items, so we look forward to helping them find everything they need for their weekend festivities.”

The average person will spend nearly $90 this Halloween on indoor and outdoor décor, costumes and candy, and seven in 10 consumers plan to hand out candy. Total spending on Halloween is expected to reach $8.4 billion, according to the National Retail Federation.

Meijer reports the top five Halloween candy items at its stores are: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Fun Size, Kit Kats Fun Size,  Snickers Fun Size, Brach’s Candy Corn and Kraft Carmels. 

Other trends that Meijer notes can be viewed in the infographic below. (Click image for larger view.)