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These 6 outdoor shops do Halloween right

Take a few tips from these retailers on how to engage with your customers around the spookiest holiday.


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Every holiday is an excuse to have fun engaging with your customers. Here’s how 6 outdoor retailers get into the spirit (get it?) of Halloween.

6 ways to get your shop into the “spirit” of Halloween

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Midwest Mountaineering

The folks at Midwest Mountaineering, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, have a thing for dressing up. They went all out last year with their Halloween costumes…even the store dog got in on the action. But they don’t discriminate against the holidays. They wear ugly sweaters around Christmas and they make like lumberjacks to celebrate the beginning of fall. 

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Old Spokes Home

If you’re in Burlington, Vermont, this week, don’t be surprised if you see ghosts, witches and vampires riding bikes around town. Burlington-based Old Spokes Home is taking the Halloween spirit to the road with two costumed biking events on October 29. Learn more at: http://bit.do/oldspokeshome

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The Fifth Season

Like with many other national holidays, big sales are often part of an outdoor retailer’s Halloween tradition. On October 28th, The Fifth Season store in Mount Shasta, California, will host its used ski swap, just in time for Halloween. Ski and snowboard enthusiasts can drop off their used gear and apparel at Fifth Season or Sportsmen’s Den during the previous week, and receive a check or store credit from the drop-off location. More info at http://bit.do/fifthseason.

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The Trailhead

Last year The Trailhead in Buena Vista, Colorado, took to their Halloween decorations to the next level by transforming their window displays into a haunted scene, complete with pumpkin-headed mannequins and skeletons wearing knit beanies. The employees also took part in the fun, passing out candy and with one even dressing up as Napoleon Dynamite while repairing a bike. 

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U.S. Outdoor Store

U.S. Outdoor Store in Portland, Oregon, prides itself on helping its customers prepare for any backcountry obstacle, including surviving a zombie apocalypse. On October 26th, the store will partner with Rare Earth Adventures to host a free Halloween-themed survival course on backcountry skills (and zombie-fighting tactics). The event is costume optional, but prizes will go to the best-dressed zombie fighters. Learn more at http://bit.do/zombieskills.

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Uncle Dan’s Outfitters

When it comes to Halloween celebrations, Uncle Dan’s Outfitters is so enthusiastic, it’s spooky. During the week leading up to Halloween, the retailer’s Lincoln Square, Highland Park, Evanston, and Lakeview locations are teaming up with other local businesses to pass out goodies to costumed kiddos. Of course, employees join in on the fun, dressing up in a wide variety of costumes. Learn more at http://bit.do/uncledans.