If you were to ask me what my favorite season is, my quick answer would be fall. It’s when the leaves change, regular-season hockey begins, and Halloween (my kids’ favorite holiday, and probably mine) falls.
But I’m also the sort of person who loves summer and likes to spend July and August walking around in flip-flops, drinking iced coffee, and planning trips to the beach.
So when I see fall-themed products start to pop up in stores at this stage of the year, I’m not always happy.
That doesn’t stop retailers from doing it, though.
These days, it’s common for seasonal items to show up well ahead of when they’re actually needed, so you might end up buying your Christmas tree before your Halloween decorations come down.
Home Depot is one retailer that’s guilty of perpetuating what I call the “it’s way too early for that” trend. But there’s a reason the company is going all-in on Halloween early.
Halloween starts early at Home Depot this year
Home Depot is kicking off the spooky season months before Oct. 31.
The home-improvement giant recently unveiled its 2026 Halloween collection, complete with upgraded versions of its wildly popular 12-foot Skelly skeleton, new giant-sized animatronics, and interactive decorations designed to appeal to everyone from casual decorators to dedicated Halloween enthusiasts.
Related: Amazon may be losing its biggest competitive edge
“From our realistically detailed collections to dynamic interactive technology like the upgraded SKELLY’s real-time, app-controlled voice modulation, we are giving our customers the tools to create their most captivating displays yet — all at an incredible value,” said Aubrey Horowitz, decorative holiday merchant at The Home Depot.
The collection launched online in mid-July, with products arriving in stores later this summer.
While some shoppers may joke that Halloween starts earlier every year, Home Depot’s strategy reflects a broader shift in consumer behavior.
Americans tend to stretch their budgets for Halloween, and many are beginning their shopping weeks, or even months, ahead of the holiday. At a time when consumers are spending more cautiously across the board, Home Depot can’t afford to be late to the party.
Shutterstock
Halloween has become a multibillion-dollar retail event
Halloween has evolved into far more than a night of trick-or-treating. It’s now a major retail season that rivals some traditional holidays in consumer enthusiasm.
Americans were expected to spend a record $13.1 billion on Halloween last year, according to the National Retail Federation.
More Retail:
- Costco sees major shift in member behavior
- Retail chain shuts all locations as legal changes hit industry
- Costco makes major investment in online shopping for members
Decorations alone account for an estimated $4.2 billion in spending, with roughly half of consumers planning to buy décor for their homes or yards.
Consumers not only get enthusiastic about Halloween, but also tend to shop early for it.
If you walk around my neighborhood, for example, you’ll often see Halloween decorations pop up in late September. Home Depot has experienced that firsthand, which is why it’s kicking off its Halloween deals early this year.
The early rollout could pay off
From a business perspective, Home Depot’s Halloween push is a smart example of leaning into a fast-growing consumer trend.
As shoppers increasingly celebrate trends like “Summerween,” the retailer has positioned itself as a leader in premium Halloween décor, rather than simply another place to buy pumpkins and candy bowls.
The combination of record consumer spending, earlier shopping habits, and social media-driven demand makes Halloween an increasingly important sales opportunity.
By launching its collection months before October, Home Depot isn’t trying to rush the holiday. It’s simply accommodating its customers.
And while some of us (ahem, me) may not like it, it’s not a poor business decision by any means.
Related: Target wants rich parents to shop at its stores