![]() ![]() In 2016, Spirit came under fire for racial appropriation of Native Americans, and in 2021 it evoked Twitter outrage for a "Karen" costume.Īnd the scariest costume goes to… /AgCXEeE7SX- Helen Shivers Octo Rick Scuteri/AP Images for Spirit of ChildrenĪccording to Spirit Halloween, the mission of Spirit of Children "is to make hospitals less scary for kids and their families."ĭespite its success, Spirit Halloween has not been impervious to controversy. We took a closer look at the rise of Spirit Halloween, and how it went from a small California costume shop to a bonafide holiday powerhouse.Ī Spirit of Children and Phoenix Children's Hospital representative face paints a patient at Phoenix Children's Hospital on Wednesday, Oct. As the national rate of COVID-19 vaccinations continues to climb, sending more people out trick-or-treating and to parties, the Halloween industry is forecasting record sales of $10.14 billion, up 20% from $8.05 billion in 2020, according to the National Retail Federation. "But I feel like I invented temporary Halloween."Īnd while Spirit doesn't disclose sales, parent company Spencer Gifts - the mall-brand known for its gag gifts ranging from lava lamps to sex toys - is estimated to bring in more than $400 million annually.Īfter four decades of dominating the Halloween market, Spirit Halloween shows no signs of stopping this year. ![]() "I didn't invent temporary sales," Spirit Halloween founder Joseph Marver told The Seattle Times in October 2000. Thanks to its penchant for inhabiting shuttered retail spaces formerly home to the like of brands like Toys R' Us or Circuit City, in recent years Spirit has become synonymous with the Retail Apocalypse and the inspiration for countless internet memes. ![]()
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