Spirit Halloween Cancels Opening Event Due to Supply Chain Delays
Spirit Halloween's New Jersey opening event has been cancelled. Here's why.
Leading seasonal retailer, Spirit Halloween, has cancelled its annual opening event in New Jersey due to supply chain delays.
The company posted the news to Instagram with a message that states, “Halloween never dies.” The specialty retailer stopped short of blaming tariffs for the cancellation of its celebration, instead attributing the decision to “international disruptions.”
The post reads, “Our teams have been working around the clock to bring back the ultimate Spirit Halloween experience. Unfortunately, international disruptions and supply chain challenges have thrown a wrench in our opening plans. As a result, we are forced to cancel the Egg Harbor Township grand opening event — but we intend to bring this event back next year.”
The statement continues, “In the meantime, Spirit Halloween is very much alive, with over 1,500 stores on track to open! We will begin opening stores in mid-August for another killer season. The engines are on, and we’re full speed ahead. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come.”
This annual event was launched in 2021 and showcases the brand’s newest costumes, accessories, and decorations for the Halloween season. It is open to the public.
Spirit Halloween stores typically open in August. This gives customers several months to purchase their Halloween decorations and positions Spirit as a go-to retailer for specialty items for the spooky season.
However, U.S. retailers continue to deal with volatile market conditions, driven by global supply chain disruptions, shifting consumer behaviors, and economic uncertainties. The Wall Street Journal reports that the resurgence of trade tensions and President Donald Trump’s imposition and pulling back on new tariffs have led to increased costs and delays.
Spirit Halloween’s Origins
Per Business Insider, Spirit Halloween was founded in 1983 by Joseph Marver. The first installation was as a pop-up store in the Castro Valley Mall in San Francisco, California.
Marver’s store was called Spirit Women’s Discount Apparel. However, when the businessman saw customers lined up outside a costume store across the street. The following season, he altered his business plan and sold $100K worth of merchandise within 30 days.
The businessman quickly realized that Halloween was a real moneymaker. He rebranded his store as “Spirit Halloween,” and with that, a seasonal retail phenomenon was born.
Marver continued to open up pop-up stores until Spencer Gifts purchased the company in 1999, and together, they formed Spencer Spirit Holdings Incorporated. In 2024, Spirit Halloween had 1,525 seasonal locations.
