Shopping: Knee-high video ads take up residence in toy aisles

Lately, I’ve been hearing voices. It happened Tuesday when I was in the toy section of Target in Shiloh. First, it was Bumblebee. Then, it was Yoda.

It’s the latest trend in luring children down an aisle to a specific toy line: tablet-size video advertising — in this case set among boxes of Transformer action figures and “Star Wars” backpacks/suitcases/you-name-it merchandise. Bumblebee, the yellow and black Camaro/autobot from the “Transformer” movies, spoke to my knees from a shield-shaped screen. It’s the perfect height for little ones to watch the colorful mini ad. Around the corner, again on a lower shelf, was a boxed video display that showed kids how a “Legendary Yoda” figure ($179.99 with 360-degree movement and voice-recognition) could teach them to be a Jedi knight.

The subliminal message to adults is “Christmas is coming.” We are so past Saturday morning cartoon ads!

Ah, but Halloween is a bit closer: Walmart in Belleville is stocking $5 molded plastic candy buckets shaped like superheroes, including Capt. America and Iron Man. For girls, there is a violet pumpkin Cinderella carriage.

Are there really a lot of bulldog owners who want their own concrete pooch for the garden? Lowe’s seems to be betting on it. The Belleville store lined up a couple rows of the sitting canines outside its garden area. They’re $29.99 each.

Wild Birds Unlimited in Swansea is showing off its fall colors with new garden flags, door mats, gourd birdhouses and more. Through the end of the month, get 20 percent off one item (with some restrictions).

Mark your calendar now for the Before+Again Fall Trunk Show Thursday through Sept. 26 at Peace by Piece in downtown Belleville. It’s an opportunity to see not just the new colorful styles of shirts, tunics and dresses, but find the right size for you and order now.

At Chico’s in the Shoppes at St. Clair in Fairview Heights, you’ll get 30 percent off all full-price styles through Sept. 22.

Kiddo’s, a unique children’s store with toys and clothing, at St. Clair Square in Fairview Heights is now offering layaway through Dec. 31. See the store for details.

Try on a pair of jeans or pants at Lane Bryant at the mall and get $10 off your purchase (of $10 or more) through Sunday.

Buy two regular-priced bras at Victoria’s Secret and get a free lingerie travel case. Offer is good through Sunday.

Don’t miss the sneak-peek in this column Sept. 25 about the new IKEA in St. Louis. The official opening is Sept. 30, but I’ll be at the preview and let you in on what’s inside the giant Swedish blue and yellow store off Interstate 40/64 at Vandeventer. Online we’ll have a video tour of the store and lots of photos of the 41st IKEA built in the United States by the Scandinavian company, which specializes in a unique buying experience of sleek, inexpensive, put-it-together-yourself furniture and home decor goods.

This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 5:38 AM with the headline "Shopping: Knee-high video ads take up residence in toy aisles."