Aldi has unveiled 'broomstick parking bays' at its store in York after the city was voted the UK's spookiest. The supermarket says aspiring witches and wizards can use the purpose-built racks at its Water Lane shop to park their brooms while shopping.
Themed vinyl flooring and spooky signage complete the bays, offering shoppers an unconventional way to stock up on Halloween essentials. The installation follows research by Aldi claiming York is the UK's spookiest town, with more than one in four Brits (28%) believing the historic city is the most haunted place in the country.
Halloween magic at Water Lane store
The bewitching bay will be available to visit until October 31, aiming to add Halloween magic to an everyday shopping trip. Aldi says shoppers and children who have spotted it are already delighted by the addition.
The supermarket's study of 2,000 people claims to reveal how much the nation is embracing the spooky season. A reported 84% of Brits say they enjoy celebrating Halloween, while the average person plans to attend at least two Halloween events or activities this year.
Brits embrace Halloween spending
Three in five (66%) say they are decorating their home throughout October, suggesting Halloween is no longer just a one-night affair. However, with many spooky celebrations on the calendar, the cost of getting into the Halloween spirit can quickly add up.
Polling showed 83% agreed Halloween has become too expensive in recent years, with Brits spending an average of £50 celebrating this year. Halloween costumes topped the list of spends (23%), followed by sweets and treats for trick-or-treaters (22%), decorations (12%), Halloween food and drinks (9%), and pumpkins (7%).
Seasonal activities and party plans
Four in five (81%) Brits plan to splash out on seasonal activities and experiences this year, with pumpkin picking (48%) taking the top spot. It is followed by trips to themed amusement parks (27%), spooky cinema screenings (27%), ghost tours (25%), and immersive fright nights (24%).
The research also revealed plenty of spooky soirees will take place across the country, as four in ten (40%) Brits plan to host a Halloween party and 63% plan to attend. A further one in five (23%) are even planning two different outfits for Halloween.
Aldi's Halloween range and value
With the average Brit set to spend £65 on hosting, four in five (84%) say getting good value for money is very important when shopping for the season. Aldi claims to help shoppers get fright night ready without the ghoulish price tag, offering Halloween inflatables (£9.99), large spiderwebs (£7.99), creepy breaded chicken bats (£2.99), and spooky sliders (£5.99).
Shoppers can also find Aldi's Halloween sweet tubs (£3.69), chocolate bats (£1.99, 100g), and chocolate lollies (£2.69). Pumpkins are said to start from as little as 35p, which is claimed to be cheaper than any other UK supermarket.
Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer at Aldi UK, said: "Halloween is all about a little surprise and magic. That's why we are delighted to give shoppers at the Water Lane store in York something they won't expect to see on their Aldi trip - a dedicated parking space for broomsticks. Complete with its own rack and spooky signage, it's a spellbinding way to welcome witches and wizards while they stock up on frightfully good value Halloween favourites."
Aldi's broomstick parking space will be available at the Water Lane store in York until October 31, and its Halloween range is available in stores now.
