BENTONVILLE, Ark., March 26, 2007 – Add to the shopping list pastel eggs, blue grass, new toys, candies, a new DVD, a new basket, chocolates, PEEPS®, and a bunny full of PEZ®. Easter is the second busiest candy and toy season next to Christmas, and now parents – with two weeks left – are scanning the shelves to discover a whole new level of “personalization” in Easter baskets.
This season also offers new values and time savers to help shorten “the hunt” ahead of time. Since ninety-five percent of Americans who celebrate Easter still prefer to create their own Easter baskets,* Wal-Mart merchants have stepped up to offer a few money-saving ideas on how to create just the right basket with a “theme” to remember Easter morning – basket ideas starting at $15!
“This week begins the launch of new toys and movies just in time for Easter, and we have arranged our assortments to help parents and grandparents easily put together a great basket idea,” said DeDe Priest, Wal-Mart senior vice president and general merchandise manager, Food Division. “Pre-filled eggs save time and today have their own themes. Even the wide varieties in Easter grass can help add a creative touch. This year the personality can definitely shine through for any age.”
• The Little Hero: This year’s hottest superhero is Spider-Man, and shoppers can find Spidy-themed eggs, baskets, even red and blue grass! Spider-Man and other character themed baskets are light weight for the Easter egg hunt. This year’s coolest Spider-Man 3 toy, the new Spider-Man Deluxe Spinning Web Blaster, enables kids to shoot an actual web. Introduced this week, it completes this hero basket theme.
• The Little Princess: Think Disney® princess eggs, a whimsical crown and staff, a pinwheel and fuzzy bunny ears. Dainty chocolates on iridescent grass in a pink princess-themed basket or “tutu” basket can make a magical morning for any little dancing princess.
• The Groovy Girl’s basket: For the tween girl who may feel too old for toys, parents can still make Easter morning fun with pre-filled “Groovy Girl,” metallic-colored or pink camouflage eggs. Add a music CD, bath and fashion accessories, and complete the look with a stylish, little AM/FM radio (comes inside a clear plastic egg), available for under $4.
• The Animal Lover: Almost all kids love animals, and a “down on the farm” themed basket can include pre-filled animal and “critter” eggs with new Frankford chocolate cows, pigs and bunnies with multi-color PEEPS. Shonfeld’s offers a real “firefly jar” at Wal-Mart filled with gourmet candies to make any child’s smile light up. Wal-Mart will offer a plush animal with its Charlotte’s Web DVD pack that hits stores April 3. Parents can keep the theme rolling with the egg-hunt by adding to the lawn the Wonka Egg-Hunt Hideable Critters of chicks, ducks and bunnies that contain a candy surprise.
• The Sports Fan: For girls and boys and dads who love their sports, score big points with pre-filled eggs shaped like footballs, soccer balls and baseballs – even car racing themes – in a sporty soccer ball, baseball or basketball shaped basket. With spring upon us, outdoor sports toys and water canteens are an easy find. Add a sports-themed video game or DVD for an older child.
• Living Smarter Basket: Whether for an older child, adult or for parents who just want a healthier alternative, this year offers plenty of “sweet tooth” fun with Hershey’s sugar-free candies or a variety of yogurt covered raisins. For an older someone who is keeping to that resolution to live better, a special twist with fruit flavored bottled water, a pedometer – even sustainable grass – can celebrate and encourage healthy living in a unique way.
“Parents see us as a one-stop shop for Easter celebrations, since everything you need is only a few steps away at Wal-Mart,” said Priest. “Our goal is to provide both money-saving and time-saving solutions, so that shoppers can enjoy family time and memories outside the store this holiday.”
And what Easter memory would not be complete without PEEPS, which always make a special appearance this time of year! Wal-Mart customers are anticipated to buy enough individual Marshmallow PEEPS chicks this Easter that, if lined beak-to-tail, they would reach from New York City to Los Angeles!
* Study taken in 2006 provide by the Hershey Company.
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, more than 127 million customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $245 million to local communities in the United States. To learn more, visit www.walmartfacts.com, www.walmartstores.com, or www.walmartfoundation.org.