• by Tanya Gazdik , September 4, 2024

With Labor Day fading quickly in the rear view mirror, it’s high time to think about Halloween. 

What started as a kid’s holiday has been largely hijacked by adults who love to decorate their homes and wear unique costumes.  

“Chipotle announced it's collaborating with Spirit Halloween on a new collection of costumes inspired by popular memes on both brands' social channels,” according to Food & Wine. “On Sept. 6, Halloween fans can pick up one of the five new costumes in the collection, all available exclusively on www.spirithalloween.com and at select Spirit Halloween retail locations in Chicago, Denver, Egg Harbor Township, N.J., Los Angeles and New York.”

The costume collection includes a napkin, fork, water cup, burrito and to-go bag.

“Halloween has always been a busy day for Chipotle thanks to its popular Boorito promotion, in which guests in costumes are treated to discounted  entrées,” according to Nation’s Restaurant News. “Last year, the company experienced a 30% increase in transactions after 8 p.m. on Halloween, driven by the promotion.”

The Spirit Halloween stores are already hopping in a strip mall near you and the retailer announced a record-breaking number of stores will be opened for the 2024 Halloween season — 1,525 Halloween stores will be opened across North America.

“Spirit Halloween's massive expansion comes as Americans continue spending billions annually on the holiday,” according to The Tennessean. 

According to the National Retail Foundation, Americans spent $12.2 billion on celebrating the holiday in 2023, exceeding the previous record set in 2022 of $10.6 billion. Consumer spending reached an estimated $108.24 per person in 2023, up from the previous record of $102.74 in 2021.

Last year’s most-sought-after Halloween decoration was Home Depot’s 12-foot “Skelly.” This year he gets a pet dog. 

“Halloween does, in fact, seem to be coming earlier every year,” according to USA Today. “But, with 12-foot skeletons and murderous doll decor to look forward to, how can we blame the enthusiasts? Some of the best Halloween decorations can even be used year-round, as plenty of creative fans of the holiday have proven.”