Local retailers tweak Halloween inventory during pandemic

FALL RIVER — If you think sales of Halloween merchandise have plummeted because of COVID-19 then think again.

Just because many kids and their parents won’t be going door to door to trick-or-treat this season doesn’t necessarily mean they intend to miss out on some fun.

And retailers who have adjusted their merchandising strategy to target family-oriented Halloween house parties and smaller, less crowded, costume-themed social gatherings appear to be reaping the benefits.

A week-long survey conducted in early September by Prosper Insights & Analytics, and commissioned by financial news website Business Insider, produced figures indicating that American consumers still crave Halloween fun, despite COVID-19.

Even though plans to trick or treat and attend parties and haunted houses have dropped by 58 percent as compared to the previous year, the survey found the average Halloween consumer plans to spend on average $92.12 as compared to $86.27 in 2019.

The survey found that 148 million U.S. adults plan to participate in Halloween-oriented activities.

And although fewer people age 18 to 24 say they’ll attend parties, those who are celebrating Halloween have been spending on average $11 more than they did in 2019, primarily on candy and decorations.

Pet costumes for animal lovers have also gained popularity with the American public, according to the survey.

A Target spokeswoman, in an email to the Herald News, said the company is placing an increased emphasis on “costumes for the whole family, including matching options for pets.”

A spokesman for CVS Health, which owns CVS Pharmacy, in an email said the Woonsocket retailer has “reduced the number of large and giant bags of candy” in its stores “in favor of smaller bags for smaller outings and family gatherings” — with the anticipation that “many larger and typical (Halloween) events may not happen.”

“We’ve noticed a trend,” a spokesman wrote, “in the cancellation of large community/school (and) civic gatherings.”

CVS says it’s beefed up inventory this season of snack-size “instant consumable” candy and gum for parents “who want a sweet treat” but prefer to avoid the temptation of dipping into a large bag of candy.

The company urges customers to add “spooky face masks, hand sanitizer and wipes” to their Halloween shopping list. CVS also sells Hallmark brand Halloween cards.

A Walmart spokeswoman, in an email, says the mega-retailer is selling “ghostly” and “glow in the dark” face masks for safety-conscious customers.

She also said stores will be taking delivery later this month of “photo-real animal face masks” and Halloween-style neck gaiters.

Ocean State Job Lot, on the other hand, in an email to the Herald News said Halloween has never been a priority for the North Kingstown discount retailer — which has 142 stores in Massachusetts (including one in Fall River); Rhode Island; Connecticut; New Hampshire; Vermont; Maine; Pennsylvania; New York; and New Jersey.

“We carry pumpkin carving kits, but Halloween is not a holiday we ever focused on pre-virus, and that remains the case,” the spokeswoman for Ocean State Job Lot said.

Danielle Ogarro of Newport said she has no plans to bring her young children trick-or-treating when Halloween arrives on Oct. 31.

Ogarro, who has six children ages two to 21, says she’s not comfortable with the idea of bringing the children to various houses.

“The safest thing to do is stay home,” Ogarro, 41, said, as she was about to walk into the Fall River Market Basket.

“We’ll probably have a little Halloween home party,” she said.

It’s unclear how many seasonal, haunted house attractions will be open leading up to Halloween.

The Factory of Terror, which rents part of a building on Pearl Street a block below South Main Street downtown, normally does a booming Halloween business.

But a message on the website for the Fall River Factory of Terror underscores the current state of uncertainty as it relates to the ongoing pandemic.

“We are working with local and state officials on approval of our opening plan. We will update the site once we know more,” it reads.