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Spirit Halloween hours 2023: Find out when the store is open

We can feel it in our bones: Halloween is coming , and it's positively scary how soon Oct. 31 will be here.

In fact, Halloween 2023 is shaping up to be a real scream.

Corny Halloween puns aside, to ensure you don't miss out on this year's hottest animatronics and costumes, a trip to Spirit Halloween might be just what the witch doctor ordered to stock up on decor and other spooky essentials before they're gone.

Before heading out to the Halloween superstore, however, it's a good idea to confirm Spirit Halloween’s 2023 store hours first. To save you the trouble of looking them up yourself, we’ve got everything you need to know right here.

That way, you've got all kinds of extra time to do other festive Halloween activities like carving pumpkins , watching scary movies and preparing for all the trick-or-treaters that’ll soon be knocking on your door.

And why wait until the last minute plan your spooky soiree or throw together a quick costume , when it's so much more fun to plan what you're going to be in advance, whether it be a couples costume or a coordinating best-friend look?

Regardless of your timeline, you've come to the right place, because along with Spirit Halloween's 2023 hours, we've also got a handy-dandy store locator and the lowdown from Spirit on which costumes everyone will be, er, dying over this year.

What are Spirit Halloween’s hours for 2023?

Celebrating its 40th anniversary season, Spirit Halloween plans to open more than 1,500 Halloween stores in cities across the U.S. and Canada in 2023. Hundreds of stores are already open for business, with more opening weekly through the beginning of October.

"Most stores are generally open eight to 10 weeks out of the year," Justin Burkhardt, spokesperson for Spirit Halloween, tells TODAY.com. Many of which, will remain open through early November.

Spirit Halloween store hours fluctuate based on seasonal needs, according to Burkhardt, which means your best bet is to check specific store hours and details before going.

To find a store near you, use Spirit Halloween’s store locator .

Short on time? Spirit Halloween's website is up and running 24/7, 365 days a year for all your costume and decoration needs.

What Halloween costumes will be popular in 2023?

Year over year, witch and vampire costumes are among the most popular costumes for kids and adults.

But what's especially buzzworthy in 2023? According to Burkhardt, an array of costumes are likely to be trending this year, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Bluey, Wednesday and Addams Family outfits and, unsurprisingly, Barbie costumes from the summer blockbuster movie.

Like 2022, pet costumes are once again expected to be all the rage. According to the National Retail Federation , consumers planned on spending a record amount of money on their furry companions last year and 2023 promises to be much the same.

What about Halloween decorations?

Along with costumes, indoor and outdoor Halloween decorations are expected to appeal to consumers in 2023.

Among them? Spirit's creepy animatronics, which, according to Spirit Halloween spokesperson, Nikki Balles, are popular with Halloween shoppers.

“We have a meticulous team who develops them and works all year long to create the spookiest and craziest animatronics,” Bales tells TODAY.com. “And we see a huge demand for them.”

Jumping spiders, light-up skeletons, killer clowns and zombies are just a few of the super-scary offerings. “What we’re seeing is there are fans who are buying our animatronics and inviting people to their home and doing a haunted house type of thing," Balles said.

Beyond the animatronics, Halloween fans can scare up all kinds of wicked good decor like faux tombstones for a haunted graveyard, spooky Halloween scenes to cover windows and doors, inflatables, twinkle lights and standard fare like trick-or-treat bowls, skulls and, well, pretty much everything else.

Fa-boo-lous Halloween dishes

• Halloween dinner ideas for scary good spread
• Appetizers for a spooky start to the night
• Halloween cocktails for a boo-zy night

Sarah Lemire is a lifestyle reporter at TODAY.com with more than a decade of experience writing across an array of channels including home, health, holidays, personal finance, shopping, food, fashion, travel and weddings. An avid traveler, foodie, helicopter parent and couch film critic, Sarah is originally from Minneapolis and has spent the last two decades unsuccessfully trying to figure out the difference between a hoagie and a sub.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

What Are Spirit Halloween’s Hours for 2022? Here's When Stores Open

For all your spooky costumes and decorations — shop online or in-person!

And of course, who could forget about dressing up in some of the best Halloween costumes to stun your guests and trick-or-treaters. Luckily, you can head to Spirit Halloween this year to find everything you need – a Halloween enthusiast’s dream place! From group costumes to popular costumes from your favorite TV series to even costumes for kids , they have everyone covered for when October 31 rolls around.

Is Spirit Halloween open this year?

The Halloween Spirit stores are now open for 2022! You can shop at any of Spirit Halloween’s 1,400 locations across the U.S and Canada, or you can also shop online for all your costume, accessory, and decoration needs.

If you are shopping online, be mindful of Spirit Halloween's shipping details . According to the website, all orders ship the same or next business day during Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Also, orders must be made before 3 pm to qualify for standard and economy shipping.

What are Spirit Halloween's hours for 2022?

Hours vary by location, but most stores are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m, but definitely make sure to use the Spirit Halloween store locator to check your local store's hours. Alternatively, you can also shop online, however, we suggest ordering early in case of shipping delays. Alternatively, you can also shop online, however, we suggest ordering early in case of shipping delays.

How long is Spirit Halloween open?

While the exact dates vary by location, you can expect your local store to now be open and close its doors around November 2. The best way to find out is by using the Spirit Halloween store locator , which will tell you the address, hours and phone number of every store nearby. Plus, Spirit Halloween has endless costume and decoration options that you can shop on its website anytime, available year-round!

Popular Costumes at Spirit Halloween

Black Panther Costume

Wonder Woman Costume

The Mandalorian Costume for Kids

Cruella Costume

As an Editorial Fellow for Good Housekeeping, Katie covers health, beauty, home, and pop culture. Outside of the office, you can find her killing it on the karaoke machine or listening to true crime podcasts.

Katarina Avendaño (she/her) is the senior SEO editor for Good Housekeeping , where she writes and edits lifestyle content and contributes to SEO strategy. Before joining GH in 2021, she was the digital editor at New York Family , where she was responsible for the website’s content and strategy. Katarina received her bachelor's degree in communications and Spanish from the University of Washington.

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When Is Spirit Halloween Open in 2023? Here's What to Know

We'll be taking many trips there this fall... 👻

Ree's quite familiar with the last-minute dash to the local Halloween store. "You dart into a costume shop on your way through the city one afternoon, and you have four minutes to grab something for your kids to wear on Halloween," she jokes. That could make anyone Hallo- scream ! If you, too, find yourself running out of time this year, don't fret—Spirit Halloween has got you covered. While last-minute costumes from the seasonal chain are available online year-round, anyone planning to shop in-store should know Spirit Halloween's store hours for 2023.

And this year, you're really going to want to pay a visit to your local store. Why? We'll let you in on a scary good secret: Spirit Halloween is celebrating their 40 year anniversary complete with all treats and no tricks... except maybe a few animatronics that pop out while you're browsing. 👻 Either way, you'll want in on the party. So, keep reading for details on their anniversary celebrations along with this season's hours!

When does Spirit Halloween open?

It's no secret that the Spirit Halloween's physical stores don't stay open all-year-round. It's not that they necessarily just up and disappear, but the retailer is what you consider a "pop up" store. So, with that in mind—it makes sense that a pop up store that specifically prides itself on all things Halloween will only "pop up" during the season.

That being said, In 2023, Spirit Halloween stores will open on July 29, 2023 , as part of their grand opening for their new flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. Yep, that means you can go ahead and get started on your shopping for all things spooky season right now... at most Spirit Halloween stores! Isn't that fang-tastic news? Though, exact dates (and times) vary by location. You can use the Spirit Halloween store locator on their website to find your local store's hours, address, and phone number, and opening dates.

Should you still decide to order your décor, costumes, party goods, etc. online, note that orders must be in before 3 p.m. for economy and standard shipping. And if you're really, really down to the wire, make sure you get your same-day express shipping orders in before 12 p.m. All orders will ship out on the same or next business day, Monday-Friday excluding holidays.

How long does Spirit stay open after Halloween?

Again, dates can vary slightly by location but expect stores to close their doors by early November 2023. If you're a year-round Halloween person or just need a cute costume for any other occasion, the online store is open 24/7, 365 days a year!

How is Spirit Halloween celebrating their 40th anniversary?

It's official! Spirit Halloween has now been haunting shoppers for four decades—and that's cause for the spookiest celebration yet! According to a spokesperson, to get the party startled (er, started), Spirit Halloween is giving 40 fans the chance to win a $1,000 gift card that they can use to spend at the store. Starting Friday, September 22 through Monday, September 25, shoppers can enter to win on Spirit Halloween's Instagram .

Here's how: Be sure you're following @SpiritHalloween on Instagram, then like and comment on the sweepstakes post as instructed. You can enter each day on that day's specific post, meaning you'll have four chances to win! See more details and instructions, including the official rules, on Spirit Halloween’s Instagram. Happy haunting!

Macie Reynolds is the assistant editor of E-Commerce and SEO for The Pioneer Woman.

Micaela Bahn is a freelance editorial assistant and recent graduate from Carleton College, where she majored in English literature. She loves running, photography, and cooking the best new recipes.

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Spirit Halloween is officially open. Here's where to get your Halloween costume this year

If the spooky animatronics and shrieking props at your local big box store weren't a sure sign Halloween is almost upon us, here's another dead giveaway: the spawning of 1,500 Spirit Halloween stores across the U.S.

That’s right, folks, Spirit Halloween stores are up, decorations are out and it's time to start getting your Halloween costumes ready.

Spirit Halloween is the largest Halloween retailer in North America and there are dozens of stores located all over Florida open now.

Pensacon Halloween Fest: Pensacon Halloween Fest returning for 2 days at Splash City Adventures

Pensacola Spirit Halloween locations 2023

There’s only one Pensacola Spirit Halloween location in the area:

5998 Mobile Highway (Former Planet Fitness)

Phone : 855-704-2669

Mon : 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Tue : 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Wed : 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Thu : 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Fri : 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Sat : 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Sun : 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Find a Spirit Halloween store near you .

More places to get Halloween costumes in Pensacola

Party City, one of Spirit Halloween’s biggest competitors, has costumes in stock all year and you’re sure to find costumes in big box stores like Target and Walmart.

Where : 6241-A N. Davis Highway

Hours : 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

Where : Cordova Mall, 5100 N. Ninth Ave.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon - 6 p.m. Sunday

Hours: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday - Saturday, noon - 6 p.m. Sunday

New Spirit Halloween costumes 2023

Spirit Halloween introduced new licensed merch for Halloween this year, including:

Harry Potter

Universal Monsters

DC Villains

Poppy Playtime

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Mars Attacks!

Can you try costumes on at Spirit Halloween?

Spirit Halloween discontinued fitting rooms during the COVID-19 pandemic and hasn’t made any announcements about bringing them back.

What happens to Spirit Halloween after October?

You might be quick to assume not much happens at Spirit Halloween after the holiday passes, but it’s actually a year-round operation. Once the season wraps up, they begin the process of scouting locations for next year.

What are the most popular Halloween Costumes?

Tracking a true number of the most popular Halloween costumes is a difficult task, but Google search data can help clue us in. Here’s a list of the top 10 Halloween costumes of 2022:

“Stranger Things”

Cheerleader

Harley Quinn

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Spirit Halloween stores open in Florida. Here's what's new

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Spirit halloween stores now open in nj: here's where., spirit halloween has stores all over the garden state. see where you can find your 2021 costume here:.

Brian Harris , Patch Staff

NEW JERSEY – It’s now mid-September, which means the Halloween season has arrived – at least at the more than 1,400 seasonal Spirit Halloween stores that have opened nationwide, including the ones in New Jersey.

All the company’s stores across every state sell costumes, Halloween décor, and accessories for children, teens, and adults.

Spirit Halloween stores in New Jersey include:

Find out what's happening in Wall with free, real-time updates from Patch.

• 381 Route 202, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
• 2703 Route 541 Suite 5, Burlington, NJ 08016
• 2100 Route 38, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
• 2232 Marlton Pike West, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
• 1120 Hurffville Road, Deptford Township, NJ 08096
• 233 State Route 18, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
• 200 State Route 10, East Hanover, NJ 07936
• 6725 Black Horse Pike Unit 26, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
• 50 International Drive South, Flanders, NJ 07836
• 39 Reaville Ave, Flemington, NJ 08822
• 3710 Route 9, Freehold, NJ 07728
• 624 Delsea Drive, Glassboro, NJ 08028
• 215 Mountain Avenue, Hackettstown, NJ 07840
• 59 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
• 2130 Highway 35 South, Holmdel, NJ 07733
• 4831 US Route 9, Howell, NJ 07731
• 3371 US Highway 1, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
• 601 Washington Avenue, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
• 15 U.S. Highway 9, Manalapan, NJ 07726
• 748 Route 73 South, Marlton, NJ 08053
• 220 Hamilton Commons, Mays Landing, NJ 08330
• 1711 State Route 10, Morris Plains, NJ 07950
• 2200 Route 66, Neptune, NJ 07753
• 17 Hampton House Road, Newton, NJ 07860
• 536 Milltown Road, North Brunswick, NJ 08902
• 460 Route 17 North, Paramus, NJ 07652
• 651 Route 17 South, Paramus, NJ 07652
• 2200 Bergen Towne Center, Paramus, NJ 07652
• 1064 US Highway 9, Parlin, NJ 08859
• 1211 New Brunswick Ave Space 2, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
• 1500 Route 47 South, Rio Grande, NJ 08242
• 48 State Route 23, Riverdale, NJ 07457
• 395 Mount Hope Avenue, Rockaway, NJ 07866
• 200 Shrewsbury Plaza, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702
• 6303 Hadley Road, South Plainfield, NJ 07080
• 126 U.S. 22, Springfield, NJ 07081
• 621 Bay Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753
• 860 Fischer Boulevard, Toms River, NJ 08753
• 5851 Route 42, Turnersville, NJ 08012
• 2700 Route 22 East Unit# 3A, Union, NJ 07083
• 3849 South Delsea Drive, Vineland, NJ 08360
• 700 Haddonfield-Berlin Road, Voorhees, NJ 08043
• 310 State Route 36, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
• 2099 North Black Horse Pike, Williamstown, NJ 08094
• 25 Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge, NJ 07095
• 1710 US Highway 46, Woodland Park, NJ 07424

The store allows online shopping by theme so that customers can filter costumes by T.V. show or movie, among other sections. Filters are also available by size, price, or rating.

Spirit Halloween has Harley Quinn, Stitch, and fox costumes among their featured popular buys more than six weeks before the Oct. 31 holiday.

Be aware of the local mask policy before entering Spirit Halloween stores or any other brick-and-mortar business, even with the coronavirus pandemic having passed its year-and-a-half mark. In New Jersey, it is strongly recommended that you wear a mask indoors but it is not mandated.

While Spirit Halloween does not specifically state masks are required for vaccinated customers, all employees — vaccinated and unvaccinated — are required to wear face coverings. The store also requires face coverings for all unvaccinated customers.

Hand sanitizer stations are posted at the store’s entrance, and plastic shields are mounted around the registers.

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It's spooky how fast Spirit Halloween stores pop up. Here's how the retailer does it

Sean Saldana

Children's Halloween costumes hang on a wall at a Spirit Halloween store. Like pumpkin patches, the seasonal pop-up shops are a signal that fall is upon us. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Children's Halloween costumes hang on a wall at a Spirit Halloween store. Like pumpkin patches, the seasonal pop-up shops are a signal that fall is upon us.

In the world of spooky commerce, there's one name that rises above the rest: Spirit Halloween. The seasonal retailer sells costumes, decorations and just about anything else somebody might need for Halloween.

Despite only operating from early August to early November, Spirit Halloween has become as much a part of the fall season as pumpkin patches and sweater weather, and with more than 1,400 locations in the United States and Canada, it's not hard to understand why.

The Indicator from Planet Money

The grim reaper of retail: spirit halloween.

Spirit Halloweens are everywhere. They appear seemingly overnight, taking over vacant buildings, then they disappear — only for the cycle to repeat itself next year.

A pop culture staple

The retailer has become so thoroughly ingrained as part of the season, it has made its way to internet memes.

is this too meta? #SpiritHallowmeme pic.twitter.com/8UewxUvRRI — Spirit Halloween (@SpiritHalloween) October 26, 2022

Some have taken their love for the retailer a step further. Nick Lutsko, a singer, songwriter and the self-styled "current king of Halloween," produced a song about the retail chain appropriately titled "Spirit Halloween Theme."

Lutsko partnered with the company to produce a popular trilogy of videos in 2021.

According to Lutsko, the chain's prominence in pop culture comes down to consistency.

"It's a physical manifestation of Halloween. You're driving to work and you see a Spirit Halloween pop up — and it's like, 'OK, it's happening,' " he told NPR.

How Spirit Halloween fills the voids left by other retailers

Beneath the songs and the memes, the story of Spirit Halloween is really one of urban development patterns.

Perhaps above all, Spirit's business model hinges on space. Lots of it. Spirit looks for anywhere between 5,000 and 50,000 square feet of space, but in the company's own words , "no store is too large (or too small)" — and the company has no problem finding the space it needs.

Drop any ZIP code or address into the company's store locator , and a flurry of orange arrows is almost sure to pop up.

AAH! Two Companies Could Pay You $1,300 To Watch Horror Movies This Halloween

The company finds this space largely in abandoned buildings — malls that have shut down, retailers that have filed for bankruptcy and so on.

"Spirit is pretty much a bottom-feeder business that works only at the expense of other stores; if there weren't vacant storefronts, this business wouldn't exist," writes Rachel Quednau , program director for Strong Towns, an urban planning advocacy group that emphasizes incremental city planning.

From January to August, the company spends its time scouring the country and scoping out properties for temporary leases, and a big part of what makes this a reliable process for Spirit Halloween is that these abandoned spaces are otherwise unusable within local economies.

Why the spaces are empty to begin with

Spirit Halloween is a byproduct of what Strong Towns calls The Suburban Experiment , an approach to urban development that invests heavily in permanent structures — large retail buildings being a prime example of this. This kind of development requires big upfront investment, and the spaces it creates are hard to repurpose if, say, a chain goes out of business.

If a Sears or Toys R Us shuts down, for example, it's not easy to find another tenant to take over the space.

"So many businesses — a small restaurant, a small clothing store, whatever — would never be able to afford, or just wouldn't need, that huge amount of space," Quednau told Morning Edition .

Who Cares About Calendars? The Pumpkin Spice Latte Is Here, Which Means Fall Has Begun

That's where Spirit stores come in. The company takes advantage of these abandoned spaces and fills them — temporarily bringing otherwise vacant buildings back to life during the spookiest time of the year.

The phenomenon of Spirit Halloween is one of holiday celebration, but it's also one of urban planning and innovation. Currently, the free market can't figure out how to use abandoned retail spaces, and until it does, Spirit Halloween is likely to keep coming back.

This story originally appeared on the Morning Edition live blog .

• halloween costumes

Spooky Season

Here's What We Know About When Spirit Halloween Stores Will Open In 2023

We know all the creepy, crawly details on the spooky store's grand opening.

Is your kid already talking about what they’re going to be for Halloween this year? Worry not, because it won’t be long before Spirit Halloween stores are open across the nation. You may not be ready to be dreaming about pumpkins, witches, and all things spooky, but the Halloween costume store wants you to be prepared well in advance. If being late to the game sounds wickedly scary to you, you might want to keep reading to find out when Spirit Halloween stores will open up in 2023.

When does Spirit Halloween open in 2023?

While the flagship Spirit Halloween store in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey opens on July 29, 2023, the other 1,500 Spirit Halloween locations will open their doors starting the first week of August through the end of September, a Spirit Halloween representative tells Romper.

If you’re thinking of visiting the flagship store on opening day, get there early. They are expecting thousands of shoppers to start lining up their Egg Harbor Township location as early as 7 a.m. And because it’s their 40th Anniversary, they are celebrating the season’s opening and their anniversary with a ribbon cutting ceremony and swag bags awarded to the first 200 customers.

How can I find a Spirit Halloween location near me?

Spirit Halloween has a store locater you can use to find the closest store to you starting July 24. Keep in mind some locations vary year by year, so you’ll definitely want to use the store locator before heading over. Store hours will also vary by location.

What about online shopping?

Lucky for you and your trick-or-treaters, the Spirit Halloween online store is open year round. We’d be lying if we said we didn’t already hop on there to look for Barbie and Ken costumes , which are going to be available in adult sizes soon. Until then, you can use the website to purchase costumes, decorations and animatronics.

The best of Spirit Halloween’s online store

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Is Spirit Halloween open on Halloween 2022?

Halloween 2022 is finally upon us but is fan-favorite costume retailer Spirit Halloween open on the big day for your last-minute purchases?

Halloweekend may be over but the festivities haven’t ended as the official day lands on a Monday – it’s a long weekend of partying and we don’t blame you.

You know it’s the spooky season when Spirit Halloween branches start to pop up throughout the country, but is the go-to costume retailer open on October 31 and when will they be gone for good in 2022?

• MORE : Heidi Klum strips down for Halloween 2022 prep with near-nude selfie

Yes, Spirit Halloween is open on Halloween 2022 for all leaving-it-late customers. All branches are open from 8am until 8pm on Monday, October 31.

If you’re preparing for next year’s festivities already, you have until Wednesday, November 2 to purchase the company’s 2022 range as they may not stock old merchandise next year.

Hours for Tuesday, November 1 are 8am to 8pm. Most branches in the US and Canada will close at 8pm on November 2 after opening at 9am.

A few locations are scheduled to shut for the season on Tuesday, November 1, such as Oklahoma’s Southeast Washington Boulevard. We recommend checking your local retailer here .

Spirit Halloween has a “buy one, get one 25% off” discount on its website through October 31, 2022. The online promo code is 572623 or click here to print the coupon.

Shipping outside the US and Canada is unavailable.

• NEW : Fans say Billie Eilish’s baby Halloween costume is ‘trolling’ naysayers

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Spirit Halloween (@spirithalloween)

Costco, Walmart and more still open on Halloween

Halloween is not a federal holiday so major retailers are open for business. The US postal service, banks and pharmacies continue as usual. Home Depot, Walmart, Target and Costco follow their regular hours.

We suggest searching your local branch online for the latest updates.

Spirit Halloween gets the meme treatment in 2022

2022 may be Spirit Halloween’s biggest year yet, with many who hadn’t heard of the company being introduced thanks to internet parody memes.

Pranksters have created fake costumes using Spirit Halloween packaging as the template for ensembles such as “crazy dog owner” and “Kanye West.” In reality, they’re subtle digs directed at the person in the meme.

Here’s our guide on how to generate your own version.

Check out a few of our favorites so far:

We’re not crazy about our dog, just rightfully obsessed.

Last minute costume for dog person💀 #spirithalloweenmeme pic.twitter.com/eZJgCIcB0Z — aurothpets (@aurothpets) October 28, 2022

Ye isn’t too hot these days:

You, too, can be Chief Twit:

These Spirit Halloween Costume Memes are amazing. Here’s the one I made! Let that sink in. #spirithalloweenmeme #SpiritHallowmeme #SpiritHalloween pic.twitter.com/n9ZrW3nGaR — MeganJanas|.eth| (@megan_janas) October 28, 2022

We wonder whether this guy knows he’s a viral meme:

Can’t believe what they sell at @SpiritHalloween now a days! #spirithalloweenmeme #halloween #manthongenthusiast #whothefisjc pic.twitter.com/MIA3A95wPQ — James Campbell (@WHOtheFisJC) October 29, 2022

Avril Lavigne could still pull off this outfit today:

ugh so happy spirit halloween had the exact costume i was looking for!! pic.twitter.com/kDAn2PuEII — kaley 🪳115 (@socynically) October 24, 2022

A phone is a must:

And as a bonus, you’ll be dressed to easily outrun any ghouls or goblins 👹 #spirithalloweenmeme pic.twitter.com/dSZcP7W7ha — Strava (@Strava) October 30, 2022

• MORE: K-pop singer and actor Lee Jihan killed in tragic Seoul Halloween stampede

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The Untold Truth Of Spirit Halloween

Every year as summer draws to a close, fans of autumn's spooky season quickly prepare for October's magical holiday. Those searching for decorations, costumes, and everything else in between can find solace in Spirit Halloween. The infamous seasonal retailer first opened its doors back in 1983 after its founder, Joe Marver, realized how big the demand was for seasonal items. Since then, the company has significantly expanded and now has over 1,400 locations throughout the United States and Canada, according to the retailer's website .

But, of course, fans of Spirit Halloween don't need to wait for the pop-up shops to open their doors to customers. Instead, anyone that needs a dash of holiday delight can head over to the Spirit Halloween website and purchase an abundance of spooky products. Being a seasonally themed shop might lead some to think that's all the retailer has to offer, but, of course, Spirit Halloween has become more than just a seasonal store. The widely recognized retailer has quite a history and even switched its ownership over to another popular franchise as the company grew.

Fans of the infamous retailer may think they know everything about Spirit Halloween; however, there are still plenty of untold facts about this company that are truly magical.

Spirit Halloween's products can be purchased online year-round

Fans of the year's spookiest holiday delight in Spirit Halloween's annual shops that pop up throughout the United States and Canada in preparation for All Hallows' Eve. Much to these shoppers' delight, the company opens up its seasonal stores to its customers from early August to the beginning of November. However, admirers of Halloween, horror, and everything related to the fall season don't have to sit around waiting for the company's in-person stores to open their doors.

"For those customers who celebrate Halloween year-round — find us online 24/7, 365 days a year at SpiritHalloween.com," Spirit Halloween states on their website. This means that Halloween and horror lovers can enjoy the retailer's products entirely at their own convenience. According to Forbes , the company even partnered with Instacart in 2020 to make local delivery even more accessible for shoppers. Clearly, there's no hidden trick to enjoying the perfect year-round holiday treat of convenient and more accessible Halloween goodies.

The retailer has a charity organization called Spirit of Children

Spirit Halloween might be infamous for its abundance of holiday items, but this company has another unique offering that is truly magical. In 2006, Spirit Halloween launched a program called Spirit of Children. Every October, the group brings the holiday spirit to children's hospitals throughout the United States and Canada. According to Spirit Halloween , the group is partnered with 147 hospitals to bring "the magic of Halloween" to children's hospitals and "make hospitals less scary for kids and their families." Those interested in donating to the cause can do so inside Spirit Halloween stores and will be pleased to know that 100% of donations support the children's hospitals' Child Life Departments.

Spirit Halloween is "wholeheartedly passionate" about its children's program. The company provides more than $400,000 a year to fund this organization because it genuinely believes in the program's work to support children's hospitals. Since its start, the project has only continued to grow. During its first year, Spirit of Children partnered with 11 hospitals, and now it has the goal to bring its program to "every hospital in North America." With no sign of slowing down, Spirit of Children will undoubtedly continue to do great work and assist children's hospitals by providing a special holiday experience.

Spirit Halloween doesn't just sell Halloween items

Naturally, with a name like  Spirit Halloween , most of the company's fans tend to think of items geared towards spooky season, such as Halloween costumes, home decor, and novelties conveniently sold in their seasonal pop-up shops. However, just because the retailer is known for selling an abundance of products for Halloween doesn't mean that October is the only time of the year to purchase this store's goodies. Though the company does indeed has a year-round online store so that Halloween enthusiasts can get their fix of spooky items any time of the year, Halloween items aren't the only thing you'll find on the website.

Some customers might be surprised to learn that Spirit Halloween doesn't just limit itself to one holiday. Those looking to get apparel, decorations, and other novelty items can check out their available products for Thanksgiving,  Christmas , and  Easter . The company's choice to branch out and sell merchandise for more than just Halloween means that shoppers can find plenty of goods to meet their needs for most major holidays.

Spirit Halloween was founded by Joe Marver in 1983

Before opening up his first Halloween shop in 1983, Joe Marver ran a clothing store. He noticed that a Halloween costume shop across the street was flourishing during the fall season despite his own struggle to make sales, according to Medallion Retail . The realization that Halloween items were in high demand during October gave him the idea to start selling his own holiday merchandise. The plan was a success, and the following year he expanded to a nearby mall and temporarily took over a second space for fall.

According to The Seattle Times , Marver's second location brought in $100,000 from its sales in about one month. Eventually, this thriving seasonal shop led to the infamous brand fans and shoppers know today. "I didn't invent temporary sales," Marver told The Seattle Times. "But I feel like I invented temporary Halloween." Spirit Halloween's success has only continued to grow. Despite Marver no longer being the company's owner, the retailer certainly wouldn't be what it is today without his initial conception.

The original store sold women's clothing

Today Spirit Halloween is best known for its wide variety of products dedicated to the fall's spookiest season. However, when Joe Marver first opened his business, his store had nothing to do with the holiday it's now famous for. Fans of the seasonal retailer might be surprised to learn what Spirit Halloween was before becoming a holiday store . Originally called Spirit Women's Discount Apparel, Marver's first business sold women's clothing, according to  Bloomberg , and its single location was in California, a far cry from Spirit Halloween's current ever-growing company.

Bloomberg  stated that the entrepreneur "didn't have any special love for the Oct. 31 holiday." However, he reportedly considered himself a business "maniac," and he soon realized that his venture into the world of seasonal retail was more successful than his women's clothing store. Still, he did make sure a part of his first business lived on with Spirit Halloween sharing a piece of the original store's moniker.

Spirit Halloween was bought by Spencer's Gifts

Though Joe Marver was responsible for starting Spirit Halloween, the store's ownership has changed since it first opened its doors in 1983 in Castro Valley, California (via Market Realist ). The retailer's positive reception for selling all things Halloween naturally led to expansion, which had grown to 60 stores by 1999. That same year, the business was purchased from its founder by the well-known novelty franchise Spencer's Gifts. Spencer's Gifts , which originally began as a mail-order business in 1947, has continued to make Spirit Halloween thrive. As a result, the seasonal company now has more than 1,400 seasonal shops throughout the United States and Canada, as noted by The New York Times in 2020.

According to Forbes , in 2013, around half of Spencer's Gifts yearly earnings (approximately $250 million) came from Spirit Halloween. CEO Steven Silverstein told the publication of another critical factor that comes with a successful business: repurposing. Silverstein stated, "You have to be able to carry over a significant amount of inventory year to year." According to him, Spirit repurposes "30% to 40%." Additionally, though possibly not surprisingly, around 90% of Spirit's online revenue comes in as the fall season approaches, even though the company's website site is year-round. 

And if you were wondering, yes, you can use Spencer's gift cards at Spirit Halloween locations.

A majority of Spirit Halloween's business comes from last-minute shoppers

While some fans of October's most magical holiday make seasonal purchases all year, it would appear that a majority of Spirit Halloween shoppers don't share this affinity for year-round decorations. Despite the retailer opening its doors in early August, Spirit Halloween customers don't come rushing in, at least not according to Mary Leonard. In 2018, the Spirit Halloween store manager, who'd worked at Spirit Halloween stores for five years at the time, told The Washington Post that more than half of the location's business would happen within the last two weeks of October.

"We get so busy on weekends that the stores get tore up pretty bad," she said. "Even when we're going through and cleaning up a dozen times a day." This statement might surprise some customers, considering the business opens its seasonal shops towards the end of summer and also has a year-round online store.

The flagship store is in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey

Spirit Halloween has over 1,400 locations across the United States and Canada for their seasonal pop-up shops; however, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, is the home to Spirit Halloween's flagship store. 

As a special treat for the holiday season, the flagship location opened for the season on July 31, 2021, with a "special event," according to PR Newswire . The spooky season festivities included gift bags for the first 100 customers, "live music, food trucks, and a coffin full of surprises." Additionally, the opening had an early morning "ribbon-cutting ceremony" and special guests like the Egg Harbor Township mayor and social media influencers.  

The unique opening was meant as a "thank you to all Spirit fans" who kept the Halloween spirit alive during the 2020 holiday season. Spirit Halloween's CEO Steven Silverstein shared in a statement, "While 2020 was a challenging year, our fans and enthusiasts everywhere made sure Halloween happened. Now we're back and bringing Halloween to life like never before."

Their team starts looking for the next year's locations right after Halloween

The beginning of November might mark the end of spooky season for some, but the work is just beginning for the Spirit Halloween team. According to Vox , in 2012, the retailer's senior director of real estate Frank Pacera stated during a podcast interview, "The minute our door is closed, we are — or actually, before our doors close — we are prepping for the next season." In terms of staying one step ahead, Spirit Halloween's employees are definitely going the extra mile spending almost the entire year prepping for next Halloween. Pacera considers the significant steps of Spirit Halloween's never-ending cycle to be finding store locations, negotiating, and hiring and training people.

First, workers begin by finding the perfect place to set up shop. The retailer's general measurements are considered to be anywhere from 7,000 to 10,000 square feet, though the company is willing to take smaller or bigger locations depending on the situation. Spirit Halloween's preference, if available, is to take over empty spaces near large businesses such as "Best Buy, Target , or Walmart ." Next are arrangements with landlords, which typically take "months" to negotiate. The final step is getting the shop's seasonal employees ready to open with district managers attending "a week-long training meeting" in New Jersey. Soon after, Spirit Halloween pop-ups are open for business.

The retailer announced a seasonal takeover of the original Barney's in New York City in 2021

Spirit Halloween is certainly no stranger to setting up their seasonal stores in the graveyards of former businesses, and 2021's pop-up shops are no exception. According to CNN Business , for 2021's spookiest season, one of Spirit Halloween's many retail stores will temporarily take over the space that housed the original Barney's department store in New York City. The department store, which sold luxury clothing, first opened its doors in 1923 and became a well-known American retail icon. Unfortunately, Barney's filed for bankruptcy in 2019, as CNN Business  reported, before the high-end retailer officially closed its doors in 2020.

However, thanks to Spirit Halloween, one location is temporarily coming back to life. Consumers close to 101 7th Avenue will once again be able to step back inside the former luxury clothing store to purchase Halloween-themed decorations and novelties. Still, being a seasonal shop means that the location will once again go back to being nothing more than a memory of its once-thriving past life after October 31.

COVID-19 didn't stop Spirit Halloween from opening seasonal shops

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many stores had to adjust their policies to align with health guidelines, and some retailers even ended up closing their doors for good. Fortunately, for fans of spooky season, Spirit Halloween chose to open up its pop-up shops in 2020, making the announcement on their Instagram page and shutting down rumors that stated otherwise. According to Spirit Halloween CEO Steven Silverstein, "Halloween restores hopefulness and provides an outlet for escape." He also noted that the company was "fully committed to returning."

However, as a precaution, health-related safety measures were put in place. In 2020, a writer for Business Insider went into a Spirit Halloween pop-up shop near Rochester, New York, to see what the shopping experience was like during the pandemic. The writer found that the seasonal store was just about "the only sign of life" in its strip mall location and noted that the inside of the shop seemed familiar with only minimal differences. The most significant sign that COVID-19 was a serious concern were the floor markers for social distancing, closed fitting rooms, and signs discouraging customers from trying on costume masks.

Spirit Halloween has a YouTube channel

Spirit Halloween knows how to keep the magical holiday experience going all year round. In addition to its online store and its social media outlets, such as Facebook and Instagram , the company also has an active YouTube channel. Loyal customers craving more from Spirit Halloween can get new creative ideas to spark their imagination by heading over the retailer's channel and checking out its various offerings.

Viewers will find plenty of videos featuring spooky Halloween-centric make-up tutorials, including " How to Apply Vampire Fangs " and " Graveyard Queen Makeup Tutorial ," and even tips for " How to Use Different Kinds of Fake Blood ." There are also plenty of scary decoration ideas to "transform your home into a haunted house" with their " Halloween Props, Costumes, & More " playlist, which showcases various items to spark your inner decorator and get you into the holiday spirit. With plenty of spooky and magical videos to chose from, Spirit Halloween's YouTube channel has something for everyone and anyone looking to bring some extra enchantment to their favorite holiday.

There's a Spirit Halloween movie

Spirit Halloween fans are in for the ultimate treat this fall with the upcoming movie "Spirit Halloween." With plenty of lightheartedly creepy moments seen in the teaser trailer , this family film is likely to be on every Halloween lover's must-watch list for the spooky season. As noted by Entertainment Weekly , the film will follow a group of kids hiding out in a Spirit Halloween store . Unfortunately for the kiddos, their night of fun and mischief takes a chilling turn for the worst after they encounter an angry and evil spirit (played by the iconic Christopher Lloyd) hiding out in the shop. In addition to the "Back to the Future" star, Rachael Leigh Cook of "She's All That" will also appear in the Halloween-themed feature.

"Spirit Halloween" was written by Billie Bates and was directed by David Poag. According to Variety , the trailer for the film (which also stars Donovan Colan, Dylan Martin Frankel, and Jaiden J. Smith) initially premiered at the opening of Spirit Halloween's flagship store on July 30 before making its online debut. Actors Colan, Frankel, and Smith also made appearances at the store. Additionally, with Spirit Halloween being known for its holiday store takeovers of closed-down or abandoned shops , it is worth noting that the majority of the film was shot in the lot of an abandoned Toys R Us in Georgia. With that in mind, there's no questioning that "Spirit Halloween" will become a fall fan favorite.

You can run your own Spirit Halloween store

If you love the experience of being inside a Spirit Halloween store and wish it didn't have to end, you're in luck. According to Business Opportunities , spooky season lovers can keep the holiday spirit going strong by opening their own Spirit Halloween store. So how exactly does that work? Most of their shops are consignment operations, which means the company will ship the merchandise to the store and take a percentage of the items' sales. Whatever isn't sold gets sent back to Spirit Halloween at the end of the season, and the company even covers the cost for the returning items.

So how do Halloween lovers make their Spirit Halloween dream a reality? First, you would become a consignment operator, secure a space, purchase all the necessary supplies, and hire and pay the staff. Your shop would then operate under the Spirit Halloween name and follow the company's rules and regulations. Similarly, Spirit Halloween  explains in detail the necessary steps you'll need to follow, as well as some of the perks. For example, no long-term contract is required, and the startup cost is considered fairly low. Additionally, the company provides a deposit when you sign your contract and will automatically withdraw its share of funds through credit card sales. Those seriously interested in running their own Spirit store can contact either Ann Sullivan, the senior director of consignment operations or Mary Lou Casto, the manager of consignment operations.

Spirit Halloween brings in plenty of earnings

With plenty of store locations popping up each holiday season, most people would assume that Spirit Halloween is making serious money. According to the Hustle , this impression is likely accurate. However, the company's exact figures aren't publicly released. Still, in 2015, financial firm Moody's estimated that Spirit made approximately $400 million in sales, which was 16% of the $2.5 billion spent on costumes that year in the US. With that in mind, of NRF's projected $3.3 billion spent on costumes in 2021, Spirit's revenue for that year was likely around $528 million, per the Hustle. It's a big step up from the shop's humble beginnings, which started with a single shop run by Joe Marver.

Nowadays, there are approximately 1,400 Spirit Halloween pop-up stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. So, what other costs factor into the company? As  Vox  reported, the company hired approximately 35,000 seasonal employees to help run their stores in 2016. The outlet also reported that the average individual spends around $86.79 on Halloween-related festivities, so you can imagine that can add up quickly for Spirit Halloween. Similarly, in 2017, the Las Vegas Review-Journal estimated that in terms of Halloween purchases, individuals overall spent approximately $3.4 billion on costumes, $2.7 billion on candy, another $2.7 billion on decorations, and $400 million on greeting cards.

Being a Spirit Halloween employee isn't always easy

Working at a Spirit Halloween store may sound like a dream come true. Still, according to Mental Floss , though working for the company has its perks, it's not always the easiest job. So what are some benefits of working for the company? According to Kota, a five-year veteran of a Spirit Halloween shop in Kentucky, those who love the spooky season will be surrounded by like-minded individuals. "I've never once worked with an employee that didn't love Halloween," Kota said. Likewise, once Halloween is over, employees get a hefty 30% discount added to their standard employee discount, which is 50%.

So what are some of the struggles of working at a Spirit Halloween? One thing that's been an issue for some employees is the considerable mess that comes along with the holiday season. Spirit employee Derek said, "You could've just finished putting every mask neatly back on the racks, and half of them will be back on the floor before you've caught your breath." Another hassle is trying to stop customers from trying on costumes in the middle of the aisles. There are also the spooky occurrences that happen in the shops. Depending on their preference for holiday frights, employees may or may not see this as a perk. "An associate and I have both seen things swaying on the shelves as if someone walked by it, though nobody else is in the store," said Spirit employee Jayme.

Spirit Halloween supports students

According to Stockton University , Spirit Halloween isn't just focused on Halloween costumes and decorations — the company is also serious about giving back to those looking to further their education. The write-up reported that the Stockton University Foundation recently received $250,000 from Spencer's and Spirit Halloween. Both companies have a long history of employing Stockton students and graduates. $200,000 is expected to go toward scholarship efforts for computer science and marketing students, while $50,000 will go toward supporting School of Business initiatives.

"Stockton University Foundation scholarships allowed me to continue my education in the master of business administration program after earning a bachelor's in business studies in May," said Rifat Mahmud. Stockton President Harvey Kesselman was equally pleased with the gift. "When our students get the opportunity to intern and get jobs at a company like Spencer's or Spirit Halloween, you have changed their lives, their families' lives, and their futures," he stated. Steven Silverstein, the CEO of Spencer's and Spirit Halloween, said that his companies were happy to support those looking to further their education. The money will also assist in aiding the dean's Distinguished Lecture Series and the Excellence Fund, as well as the Annual School of Business Awards.

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I work at Spirit Halloween. Here are 9 mistakes I see customers make when shopping for costumes and decor.

• I've worked at Spirit Halloween for two seasons and have seen many customers make the same mistakes .
• I always encourage customers to invest in high-quality pieces they can reuse year after year. 
• Many customers forget to check Halloween makeup for irritants and allergens. 

Halloween has always been more of a lifestyle than a holiday for me, much to the chagrin of my husband and family.

Although this is my second season working for Spirit Halloween, I've been a longtime customer and have even joked that the store was created just for me.

Here are nine mistakes I see customers make while shopping for their costumes and seasonal decor at the popular Halloween chain.

Going straight for the lowest price instead of investing in quality pieces

If you only plan to wear a costume once, it's fine to go for the cheap stuff. But investing a little more can extend the costume's wear.

Spirit Halloween offers a line of Signature Collection costumes, which cost more but are made with higher-quality fabrics that I've found can last through several years of Halloween events or cosplay fun.

Investing in great accessories to complete the look is just as important. For example, if you're dressing up as a vampire, fangs can add an extra layer to the costume. However, a cheap pair of fangs probably won't last the night.

My personal favorite is the Scarecrow brand of fangs because they come in different sizes for a more custom fit.

Buying makeup kits without proper application and removal products

Makeup can really elevate a costume's look, but let's face it, most Halloween store makeup isn't top quality. Protect both your skin and your look by investing in quality products like primer, setting powder, and heavy-duty setting spray.

If you're using prosthetics, be sure to purchase Spirit Gum adhesive and remover. Without it, removing prosthetics can be difficult. And you definitely don't want to join that next-day Zoom meeting still dressed as Hellboy.

Failing to check makeup and prosthetics for irritants

Always test makeup and adhesives for allergic reactions by using a small amount of the product on the inside of your wrist. Wait at least 20 minutes to see how your skin reacts.

Before purchasing any products, read the package carefully and search for any irritants or allergens.

Not browsing the entire store

When looking for accessories to complete your look, keep your eyes open and peruse the entire store because hidden jewels are everywhere.

The checkout line, in particular, is always full of the best selection of chokers, earrings, and other fun novelty items.

Only coming into the store once per season

Never make just one trip per season to Spirit Halloween, as stores get truckloads of new merchandise delivered weekly. Chances are you'll find something new every time you come into the store.

Ask an associate on the sales floor when the next delivery will be. We're happy to help you find the latest products.

Failing to read the labels on animatronics.

When purchasing animatronics, always make sure you read the box before making a purchase.

A lot of the animatronics are made for outdoor, covered use only. That means that they can break down from exposure to weather (especially humidity that can mess with the electronics) if left outdoors unprotected.

Not signing up for email and text offers

Most people are tired of receiving email and text offers, but Spirit Halloween's are worth it. By signing up, you'll get a 20% off coupon for your next visit.

You'll also receive exclusive emails throughout the year about new props and displays, and notifications when stores near you are opening or hiring.

Returning items before calling support

Most people don't realize that Spirit Halloween has its own tech support hotline. Before returning any electronics to the store, call the Zombie Tech Squad (their number is displayed on all prop directions).

Most times, they can troubleshoot your issue and save you a trip back to the store, which can be super helpful during the busy Halloween season.

Forgetting that we stay open after Halloween

Don't skip out on the clearance sales on November 1 and 2.

Last year, my store was still putting out new stock until closing on October 31. All of that merchandise is typically discounted by 25% to 50% the next day.

Watch: 5 Halloween costumes you can try with just makeup

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Business strategy behind Spirit Halloween pop-up shops

Kelly Marsh , Multimedia Journalist

Pop-up shops like Spirit Halloween are haunting more retail spaces than ever. They seemingly appear overnight and are generally open only 8 to 10 weeks out of the year.

Virginia Tech economic experts tell us this business model benefits both sides.

Have the morning's biggest stories arrive in your inbox every day at noon

For landlords, some revenue is better than having the lot sit empty and as for these temporary holiday giants, they can open when it benefits them the most.

“If Spirit Halloween were open in the summer, they would still have to pay rent, they would still have to pay electricity, they would still have to pay employees, so it’s better to just be shut down and not operate rather than having a physical space and having to pay all those costs,” Jadrian Wooten, an economics professor at Virginia Tech said.

It’s also believed that this shutdown strategy helps nearby stores, bringing more people to businesses in the area.

Copyright 2023 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.

About the Author:

Kelly marsh.

Kelly Marsh joined the team in July 2023.

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Costumes, candy, decor fuel $12.2 billion Halloween spending splurge in US: A new record

Consumers are expected to spend a record $12.2 billion for Halloween candy, costumes and decorations, according to National Retail Federation's annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics .

“More Americans than ever will be reaching into their wallets and spending a record amount of money to celebrate Halloween this year,” said Matthew Shay, NRF president and chief executive officer.

This year's Halloween spending is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels. The highest Halloween spending clocked in at $9.1 billion in 2017 , but took a dip to $8 billion during the pandemic in 2020. Consumer are expecting to spend $108.24 per person this year, up from $100.45 from 2022.

The survey gathered responses from 8,084 consumers about their shopping plans and found that 68% of people planned to celebrate by handing out candy, 53% planned to decorate their home and yard, and 50% planned to dress up in a costume. The survey also found that more consumers, 32% of them planned to throw or attend a Halloween party and 28% were going to take their kids trick-or-treating.

Candy and costumes are expensive. Why?

While inflation may be to blame for the rising cost of goods , a sugar shortage may also be tied to the increase in candy prices. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year that sugar prices rose to its highest since 2012, stemming from bad weather that hit China, India and Thailand.

On the other hand, the NRF survey found that customers are still exploring cost-saving measures as 40% of people surveyed planned to do their Halloween shopping at discount stores, followed by 39% shopping at specialty Halloween and costume stores, and 32% shopping online.

What are people spending money on this Halloween?

Costumes are the biggest revenue generator of the holiday this year, and expected to bring in $4.1 billion. Consumers are also spending more on Halloween decorations, which is expected to generate $3.9 billion, followed by candy at $3.6 billion, the survey found.

And while witch and ghost costumes were popular among adults, children and pets, some new additions were inspired by this year's movies like "Barbie" and "The Super Mario Bros. Movie." The Wednesday Addams character from the Netflix series "Wednesday," also made the list for popular children's costume this year.

Did your favorite make the list? Here are the most popular Halloween candies for 2023.

Krispy Kreme, Scooby-Doo partner to create limited-edition Scooby-Doo Halloween Dozen

Top 10 Halloween costumes for kids

• Wednesday Addams

Top 10 Halloween costumes for pets

Top 10 halloween costumes for adults.

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Hollywood loves a ghost movie. These are the best ones to watch this Halloween

A g-g-g- ghost!

That — spluttering and all — was the usual reaction to Casper, the Friendly Ghost. Ghosts scare people. Even if, like Casper in the old cartoons, they just want to be your friend.

Ghosts, as a matter of fact, often have more on their minds than just saying "boo!"

Sometimes, as in "Macbeth," "Julius Caesar," and "Hamlet," they come back to scold, warn, prod. Sometimes, as in "A Christmas Carol," they do interventions.

And sometimes — as in "Ghostbusters" — ghosts just wanna have fun.

At Halloween, our annual festival of fear, they'll always have a place of honor — if only because their costume is a gift to the lazy. White sheet, two holes, done. Coincidentally, ghosts are also among the simplest of Hollywood's special effects. Double exposure is as old as film itself.

Maybe that's why ghosts have haunted movie theaters for 120 years — ever since Georges Méliès made "The Apparition" in 1903. And Halloween is a great time to catch up with the best of them. Here are some of our favorites.

Never fear! There are over 100 scary Halloween things to do, read and see in North Jersey

With this caveat: Hollywood's ghosts, like all ghosts, have mixed motives. Not every ghost movie is meant to scare you.

Some movie ghosts are wistful. Or romantic. Or funny. Or even thought provoking.

But others? BEWARRRRRE!!!!!!

'A Ghost Story' (2017)

There are sad ghosts, just like there are sad clowns. Casey Affleck, for instance — killed in a crash, who comes back to his old home to haunt his grieving wife, Rooney Mara. Ludicrously, wistfully, he looks exactly like a trick-or-treat ghost — the sheet with two eyes. This minimalist meditation on time, grief and memory, from writer-director David Lowery, is slow, unsettling. Haunting, in a word. Vudu, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google, Apple.

'The Others' (2001)

The other whats? Not humans, for sure, in this moody tale of a woman (Nicole Kidman), her photo-sensitive children, and her servants, in an isolated house in the Channel Islands where — it turns out — they are not quite so alone after all. Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu.

'Sixth Sense' (1999)

"I see dead people." And there's a reason for that, in M. Night Shyamalan's much-discussed thriller featuring a psychologist (Bruce Willis), a disturbed and disturbing child (Haley Joel Osment), and a famous "shock" ending that we won't spoil — though you probably know it already. Peacock, Apple TV, Vudu, Amazon Prime.

'Ghost' (1990)

The ghost: Patrick Swayze. The widow: Demi Moore. The medium: Whoopi Goldberg. The revelation: pottery. Who knew it was sexy? This iconic '90s film may or may not be a classic of supernatural love. But it's certainly Hollywood's greatest advertisement for ceramics class. Max, Roku, Spectrum TV, Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV, Redbox.

'Beetlejuice' (1988)

Leave it to Tim Burton to tell a ghost story from the ghost's point of view. In this case, about a ghostly couple (Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis) who hire an ectoplasmic exterminator (Michael Keaton) to rid their house of its human pests. Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! There, we've said it. Amazon Prime, Vudu, Apple TV.

'Ghostbusters' (1984)

Who could resist Slimer, Zuul, and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man? Apparently only Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd — which is why they had to be called in in the first place. This monster hit earned a place in comedy history, but — heretical opinion — we prefer "Ghostbusters II" (1989), with its demonic spirit Vigo (Norbert Grupe), a sort of ectoplasmic Vlad the Impaler, and his nutty enabler Dr Janosz Poha (Peter MacNicol, borrowing the Polish accent of his "Sophie's Choice" co-star, Meryl Streep) who warns the heroes that to Vigo "you are like the buzzing of flies!" USA Network, OXYGEN, SYFY, Bravo, E!, Prime Video, ROW8, Apple TV, Vudu.

'Poltergeist' (1982)

This Tobe Hooper/Steven Spielberg shocker goes a bit over the top in the last act. But the early scenes, involving a nice suburban daddy (Craig T. Nelson), his nice normal family, and his sweet little daughter (Heather O'Rourke), who gets sucked into the TV set, are notably creepy, and Zelda Rubenstein is unforgettable as the medium with the happy message: "All are welcome in the light!" Max, Philo, Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu or Redbox, or on TCM 12:30 a.m. Oct. 18.

'The Shining' (1980)

Just because you're dead, doesn't mean you don't have to earn a living. In "The Shining," Stanley Kubrick's epic rendering of the Stephen King novel, the ghosts include butler Grady (Philip Stone) and bartender Lloyd (Joe Turkel), who do their best to make homicidal Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) comfortable as he plots to murder his wife and child in an empty, snowbound hotel. Kubrick brought a new twist to ghost movies: all the scary stuff happens in broad daylight. Which makes it worse. Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, and Vudu.

'The Fog' (1980)

"It's not the fog. It's what's in the fog!" Carcinogens? No — it's the ghosts of an evil ship's crew lurking within the creepy mist that blankets Point Reyes, California. John Carpenter's flashlight-in-the-face ghost yarn, starring the inevitable Adrienne Barbeau and Jamie Lee Curtis, is good spooky fun. Prime Video, Apple TV or Vudu.

'The Haunting' (1963)

Even ghosts gotta live somewhere. Hence, the Haunted House — one of Hollywood's favorite pieces of real estate. This one is especially nasty, with its middle-of-the-night pounding, cold spots, and a memorably unstable spiral staircase. Naturally, the 1999 remake (both are based on Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House") upped the shocks — and naturally, no one talks about it. Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV, or on TCM 1:30 a.m. Oct. 21.

'Carnival of Souls' (1962)

This unique low-budget chiller, featuring a haunted amusement pier, has a twist that out-Shyamalans M. Night Shyamalan. Recommended. Amazon Video, Google Play, YouTube, Vudu, Microsoft Store, Apple TV.

'The Innocents' (1961)

Two sweet children. A spunky governess. But this isn't "The Sound of Music." Because these kids are haunted by evil spirits. Or else the governess is losing her mind. And either way, this gorgeously photographed, subtly spooky rendering of Henry James' "The Turn of the Screw" is probably the best ghost movie ever made. Deborah Kerr's performance is a tour de force. Netflix, Amazon, Vudu.

'The Ghost and Mrs. Muir' (1947)

Is a ghost your ideal mate? eHarmony might not think so. But Hollywood has occasionally thought otherwise. The best of all the otherworldly love stories is probably this one — about an independent-minded widow (Gene Tierney) circa 1900, who is romanced by the ghost of a cranky sea captain (Rex Harrison). It sounds trite — but the movie has a depth and melancholy that is hard to forget. A lot of it has to do with the seaside setting, and Bernard Herrmann's exquisite music. Prime Video, Apple TV or Vudu or TCM 8 p.m. Oct. 20.

'Dead of Night' (1945)

This omnibus film of the uncanny — a sort of dry run for "The Twilight Zone" — includes several ghost stories. Best of all is the convalescing patient, and the ghostly hearse driver who calls up to him: "Just room for one inside sir!" Guess who, a week later, is driving the bus to take him home from the hospital. iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu.

'The Uninvited' (1944)

It sounds like a problem for Miss Manners. But it's actually a problem for Ray Milland and Ruth Hussey, whose lovely seaside house on the Cornwall coast is plagued by ghostly sobbing, inexplicable cold drafts, and the scent of Mimosa that was associated with the murderess who lived there years before. Hollywood's first attempt at a "serious" ghost movie — though mild by today's standards — still holds up pretty well. TCM 11:45 p.m. Oct. 20.