Meijer eyes bigger sales for Halloween

Early Halloween sales at Meijer stores had increased by 50% compared to the same time last year. The retailer is attributing the 50% increase in shoppers taking advantage of early savings on Halloween candy, décor and costumes, to excitement surrounding the days of celebration that will lead up to the actual holiday.

"People are really enthusiastic, especially since Halloween falls on a Monday so the weekend will give kids and adults more opportunities to celebrate," Christina Fecher, a Meijer spokeswoman said.

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are shopping earlier this year with 44% beginning shopping for Halloween in the first two weeks of October, 29% in September, 22% in the last two weeks of October and 5% before September.

Meijer projects that it will sell 7 million bags of Halloween candy with its bulk offerings appealing to families; more than 80,000 masks and wigs, and 30% more lighted/animated decor versus last year, with devices that project images and lights onto houses growing increasingly popular, according to Fecher.

Total spending for Halloween is expected to reach $8.4 billion this year.

Food prices in the US are lower than last year

Food prices have fallen for nine straight months in the U.S. It’s the longest streak of food deflation since 1960, thanks to low oil and grain prices.

Another reason grocery prices are falling is the increased competition from grocery discounters like Aldi the German supermarket discounter, which has big plans for the US market. This year they opened many supermarkets in California, and will continue to add stores in the US. Lidl, another German supermarket discounter has also plans to open stores in the US by 2018.

Kroger, the largest grocery store chain in the U.S., with nearly 2,900 stores, has also cut prices to compete with Wal-Mart and increase its market share.