THIS MORNING - EARLY:
I woke this morning at 4:47 because a bunch of early rising birds were chatting it up outside of my window (most likely talking about the Halloween preview happening today). So, I got the day started with just four hours of sleep, and I jumped on the computer to see what the preview might be and sure enough, some of the Halloween items were already loaded on the site.
There were a few things available that I didn't know about, and a few things that I did know about that never launched as of yet.
I made an order (13 items) and clicked confirmed and went about the rest of my morning getting ready to run a few errands and hit the mall.
While checking my IG messages, I found they were full of the same question:
Is this it for Halloween? It was the same question I had.
QUESTION ANSWERED:
I found out that there were no other Halloween surprises --- yet known --- to come as the "more on the way" statement on this morning's APP marketing had implied. Be it staff or customers, everyone was asking the same thing...and wondering what is next.
That same sentiment was stated last year...and we got nada. This time...was it in reference to Halloween...or Fall? Fall items are not hitting my stores until 10am - 7/7 and not a minute before. Not even a pocketbac can be out yet. Halloween will launch then too.
Could the more be the collab? Could be. I thought the quarterly meeting mentioned we will see that in the last quarters of the year. I am "sure" it fits the theme timing, but will there be enough to make up for the lack of all of the basic Halloween goodies we normally see--- with its limitations?
WHAT DID I FIND:
Empty SAS walls? Too Bad. Empty Tables? They will fill up next week. (No, that is not what was said to me--- but it was a feeling in the shop when nothing new can come out to fill the emptiness in the shop (which is usually a big deal) to make it look less like a Store Closing Sale.
Yes, I said that.
For now, we only have the red bins of unwanted items at those prices shown, sadly waiting for a reduction in price to clean them out... as the days tick away. I am through with purchases from SAS.
I did buy two Christmas in July Candles and four CIJ hand soaps for gifting while in the store. That collection went down to 75% off beginning today and those items will make great theme fill ins.
ARE WE EVER FULLY SATISFIED?
I can't answer that for anyone else. I know what I thought was going to be a themed collection of products didn't meet the Spooky feel of it all. And the SUMMERWEEN concept of Frankenstein's Bakery fell short of not having a full launch of the Frankenstein monster on everything with his Bride...or bakery scents....and accessories.
I will be at the opening of Halloween '25 and Fall 1 on July 7th ready to add to my collection with any surprises we could see. And I will continue to post tonight what we had seen today, because much like Cinderella's night at the ball, all of this preview will disappear after 24 hours with not even a glass slipper (or Glass Skull Wallflower) to be found.