Kmart hopes to scare up some Halloween sales

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart has designated this Friday as the official start of Halloween shopping with its "Orange and Black Friday" event.



Kmart's "Orange & Black Friday" event features: 50% off Halloween costumes and Halloween kitchen textiles, tabletop, decor, as well as a "Kmart Kreator" tool (www.Kmart.com/kreator), a social tool where users can create their own Halloween "Kreature" using costumes and accessories available at Kmart.

According to the National Retail Federation, the average consumer will spend nearly $80 on decorations, costumes and candy, bumping up total Halloween spending this year to $8 billion. Of those planning to celebrate, more than half will decorate their home or yard, 45% will dress up, more than a third will throw or attend a party and a third will take kids trick or treating.