The basics:

• Spirit Halloween to hire 50,000 workers for 2025 spooky season
• Over 1,500 pop-up stores expected across U.S. and Canada
• Industry warns tariffs could disrupt Halloween and holiday supply

Ahead of the spooky season, Spirit Halloween is ramping up hiring efforts.

With more than 1,500 pop-up stores scheduled to open soon across the U.S. and Canada, the Egg Harbor Township-based specialty retailer kicked off a recruitment campaign to fill 50,000 jobs. The effort marks its largest seasonal workforce to date.

As the nation’s largest Halloween retailer, the Spencer Spirit Holdings Inc.-owned brand is considered the go-to place to buy costumes, decorations, props and accessories. In 2024, Spirit Halloween had a record-breaking 1,525 North American stores for the season.

According to Spirit Halloween, workers can earn competitive pay and receive several perks, such as a premium pay incentive program, flexible scheduling and a 30% discount all season long. Returning store managers are also eligible for seasonal retention bonuses, the company said.

Individuals interested in applying for associate or managerial positions can find additional details by visiting Work4Spirit.com or texting “Reaper” to 85000.

In a statement, Spirit Halloween CEO Steven Silverstein said, “With the anticipation for Halloween at an all-time high, we are committed to creating the same immersive experience that keeps our fans coming back year after year.”

“The talent and enthusiasm of our associates is the driving force that brings Halloween to life each year, and we look forward to welcoming new and returning faces for another killer season,” he added.

Halloween lives on

The hiring initiative comes about a month after the retailer canceled the grand opening of its flagship pop-up in Egg Harbor over “international disruptions and supply chain challenges.” The midsummer launch of its seasonal storefront at Harbor Square Plaza typically draws thousands of people eager to get a first look at new merchandise and the many interactive retail displays.

Spirit Halloween said it intends to bring the event back for 2026.

However, the company has also said its teams are “working around the clock to bring back the ultimate Spirit Halloween experience” for the 2025 season.

Bracing for tariffs

Like most retailers across the U.S., Spirit Halloween is preparing for the Trump administration’s tariffs on imports to take effect July 9.

The Halloween & Costume Association has warned that the import taxes could “cancel Halloween and cripple Christmas.”

According to the Mount Laurel-based industry trade organization, U.S.-based costume and toy companies are sounding the alarm that tariffs on Chinese goods “could wipe out Halloween and severely disrupt Christmas unless urgent action is taken.”

Since production is already underway and orders locked in, HCA said “businesses are scrambling to find ways to get products into stores on time and at prices that families can afford.” Although HCA said the costume and toy sectors have “been actively working to diversify production for years,” shifting away from China “is a long-term project, not a quick fix.”

As a result, HCA said industry leaders are calling on the U.S. government to consider the seasonal nature of these categories before making final decisions.

While they understand the political backdrop, the sectors say the unintended consequences could devastate businesses – especially small- and mid-sized ones – and leave consumers footing the bill, according to the association.