Walmart is turning up the Halloween spirit early this year with its fresh take on seasonal shopping: “Summerween.” Blending summer heat with spooky thrills, the retail giant has launched “Summer Frights” sections in around 1,000 stores nationwide, well ahead of the fall season.



A Growing Trend: Halloween in July?

The rise of Summerween is fueled by shoppers who no longer wait for October to start their Halloween prep. According to the National Retail Federation, Halloween spending hit $11.6 billion in 2023, and the number of people shopping before October has risen from 32% in 2014 to 47% in 2024.



Walmart’s Vice President of Seasonal, Marlena Bond, explained that the early Halloween sections are meant to capture consumer excitement with fun, affordable products. Most items fall in the $1 to $10 range, making them accessible for impulse buys and early planners alike.



Many items, including the Summerween Velvet Plush Throw, have already sold out online in certain designs, showcasing high demand.



Want to be the first to grab early Halloween finds? Buy Walmart Account to access deals online and get notified about hot restocks instantly.



Summer Scares Meet Global Challenges

While early shopping is fun, supply chain concerns loom. The Halloween and Costume Association recently warned that tariffs on seasonal goods could lead to significant shortages. Retailers are seeing canceled orders, and the worry is whether shelves will stay stocked come October.



Walmart’s proactive strategy may be partly a way to get ahead of any such disruptions by spacing out demand and inventory needs.



What’s New for Summerween?

As part of the July Deals event (July 8–13), Walmart will introduce a DIY pumpkin head figure, giving creative shoppers a fun project for the warmer months. Walmart+ members will gain early access to this and other limited-time offers.



Looking ahead to the fall, Walmart has teased the return of popular giant skeletons (5' and 7'), along with textured terracotta and paper mâché pumpkins, all expected to hit shelves in full force by October.



The Wider Retail Landscape

Walmart isn’t alone in jumping on the early Halloween train. Michaels released two of its five Halloween collections in mid-June and plans more in July. Meanwhile, Spirit Halloween has announced plans to open 1,500 stores and hire 50,000 seasonal workers, with locations going live mid-August.



For early access to Walmart’s Summerween collection and faster checkout during seasonal sales, sign in or create your Walmart Buyer Account today and stay ahead of the spooky shopping curve.