Target wants shoppers dreaming of a white – and red – Christmas.

To do this, the retailer is transforming its stores to holiday shopping with a peppermint-striped trail through a “fantasy forest.”

Shoppers will find peppermint swirl patterned holiday items, from tablecloths and napkins to AirPod cases. As they walk through the store – there will be a connected path of peppermint ribbons on the ceiling and peppermint signs at the ends of the aisles – they will encounter destinations like the Merry Cherry Chalet, a showcase of potential gift selections including sweaters and candy canes. Corner, stocked with an assortment of Target Favorite Day brand holiday treats.

In addition to the winter iconography of snow-capped trees, there is also a new holiday mascot, Berry the Bear. A 9-foot-tall Berry will adorn nine stores in the United States, and shoppers will be able to purchase plush toys, pajamas, blankets and other products.

Berry the Bear and his holiday-themed forest home will also inhabit the Target app. “No matter where you are, if you’re on your app, if you’re in the stores, you’ll really be immersed in this fantastical forest,” said Cara Sylvester, Target’s executive vice president and chief customer experience officer. THE UNITED STATES TODAY.

With many stores already transformed – and everything expected to be completed within the next week – Target will kick off its TV and online marketing campaign with a new ad.

The hero of the spot, a boy named Nico, meets Target mascot Bullseye and is transported to a magical Target store complete with a real Berry the Bear, a forest of trees and a giant peppermint slide. The action takes place to the tune of “Pure Imagination”, which appeared in the 1971 film “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory”, sung by British singer-songwriter Sarah Faith Griffiths, who goes by Claw (she opened a few dates on Taylor SwiftIt is Tour of the eras).

“It’s beautiful, whimsical and it’s meant to set the stage for the moments and magic of Target,” Sylvester said.

Target strives to make shopping a vacation ‘experience’

This may be Target’s biggest effort to create an in-store experience, but it’s not the first. The brand also transformed its 2,000 stores into “mini-vacation” destinations before Memorial Day.

The target will also have special in-store events in select cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York and Phoenix.

• November 9: A holiday greeting event; in some stores you can put together your gift list.

• November 23-24: A “Wicked” event, scheduled for release of the film, November 27with freebies, treats and free nail art with purchase.

• November 29: A Black Friday celebration with in-store gift wrapping.

• December 7: Decorating cookies and other activities at home.

• December 21-22: Last minute Glam Gifts event with L’Oréal Paris and Essie nail polishes.

During in-store holiday events on November 9, November 29, December 7, and December 21-22, members of the free Target Circle loyalty program will receive a free Berry the Bear collectible, while supplies last.

Consumers spend this holiday shopping period is expected to exceed that of 2023 by 2.5% to 3.5%, according to the National Retail Federation.

Purchases: For someone who has everything, check out our splurge-worthy Christmas gift ideas.

Where to find Berry the 9-foot-tall bear from Target

Nine of Target’s stores will have a 9-foot version of the new Berry the Bear mascot. Expect a line to take selfies with Berry at these stores:

• Edina, Minnesota

• Fishermen, Indiana

• Houston, TX

• Jersey City, New Jersey

• Newport News, Virginia

• Queen Creek, Arizona

• Riverview, Florida

• Roswell, Georgia

• Spring Hill, Tennessee

Target celebrates “Early Black Friday”

In addition to transforming its stores, Target also began offering holiday deals. It is Offer of the day special offers start Friday and run daily until December 24 – find them in the Target application.

Next week, Target launches a new three-day program Black Friday Early SaleNovember 7-9 (Thursday-Saturday), with “thousands of exciting new deals, many up to 50% off,” the company announced Wednesday.

Additionally, starting Sunday, November 3, Target is launching weekly deals that will run through the holiday season. First week of deals (November 3-9) includes up to 50% off floor care and headphones, plus up to 30% off baby gear and select decor for home, and buy one, get one 50% off toys including Teenage Mutant. Ninja Turtles. Find weekly offers in Target Weekly Ad every Friday.

This story has been updated with new information.

Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.

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This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Goal: Holiday Shoppers Can Explore the “Fantasy Forest”