WASHINGTON — It’s not even July, but that’s not stopping mega-retailer Wal-Mart from thinking about its Christmas sales.
On Wednesday, the company held an event for more than 100 magazine and gift guide editors about what it expects its top sellers to be this holiday season.
The event was the first of its kind, says Advertising Age, which notes that although Wal-Mart has held preview events, they have never been private.
Not surprisingly, Disney’s hit musical “Frozen” will be the theme of many popular gifts this year. Wal-Mart is preparing for Frozen fever with Elsa dolls by Jakks and Mattell, decorative cookie kits by Disney as well as bedding, lamps and lip gloss, according to Advertising Age.
“There’s going to be a stress level about ‘Frozen’ this holiday season,” Ginny Rothschild, vice president of Wal-Mart’s U.S. bed and bath operations, told Advertising Age. “We’re going to have it. We’ve got it in so many different categories.”
Katniss wannabes will have their pick of the litter when it comes to bow-and- arrows. The lead character from the “Hunger Games” made the equipment popular and the chain is stocking brands from Nerf and Zing to meet the need, Advertising Age reports.
Celebrities’ lines are expected to be big sellers this year, the publication reports. Wal-Mart is at the ready with Drew Barrymore’s Flower cosmetic bags as well as cookware from Guy Fieri and Rachel Ray.
It’s expected to be another huge year for tech gadgets. Wal-Mart will emphasize portability and connectivity, according to Adervertising Age. Items such as Chromecast, Roku, Beats by Dre, DreamWorks’s DreamTab and the T-Mobile Trio 4G tablet are expected to be big-ticket items this holiday season.
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