I like Halloween as much as the next person, probably more. But when it’s over, it’s over — right?
Not for the good people at the Spirit Halloween Co., who’ve become incredibly innovative in their attempts to keep the seasonal marketing going, and going, and going.
Back in October I purchased a hanging skeleton at their Silver Lake store. When the clerk asked if I wanted to receive special email promotions and offers, I thought why not? After all, how much spam could you possibly get from a company specializing in Halloween paraphernalia?
More than you can ever imagine.
Once the trick-or-treating was over, the spooky superstore chain launched into a campaign of regular email blasts designed to help me stay in costume year round. Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, President’s Day — I swear there’s something for every occasion.
The latest is this $99 “deluxe” Easter Bunny outfit, which for some reason I find even more disturbing than the company’s ever-popular Killer Clown getups.
Of course, if you’ve got too much pride to don the rabbit ears yourself, you can always foist them on your kids. And if that’s not bizarre enough, there are other Springtime offerings they may enjoy.
Experts say Halloween merchandizing has become a $6 billion industry, second only to Christmas. Now we know why.
