Spencer’s

Spencer’s is a specialty retailer known for its novelty and pop culture merchandise, operating a network of stores across North America. The company began in 1947, founded by Max Spencer Adler in Easton, Pennsylvania, originally as a mail-order catalog business. Its transition into physical retail started in 1963 with the opening of its first store at Cherry Hill Mall in New Jersey, marking a significant milestone in its evolution from catalog sales to a brick-and-mortar presence.

As of November 2025, Spencer’s operates approximately 450 stores under its primary banner, maintaining a steady footprint in shopping malls and lifestyle centers throughout the United States and Canada. The company’s reach extends beyond its year-round stores through Spirit Halloween, a seasonal retail concept acquired in 1999. Spirit Halloween has grown into a major force in temporary retail, with over 1,000 locations that open for the two months leading up to Halloween. This seasonal business model generates roughly half of the company’s annual revenue, highlighting the impact and efficiency of short-term retail activations.

Over the past five years, Spencer’s has focused on optimizing its existing locations, investing in store redesigns, and maximizing the performance of its seasonal Spirit Halloween stores. The brand’s expansion into Canada and its previous operations in the United Kingdom reflect its willingness to explore new markets, though its current strategy prioritizes strengthening its North American presence. Spencer’s continues to operate its mail-order and e-commerce channels, complementing its physical retail footprint.

For commercial real estate professionals, Spencer’s stands out for its dual-format approach, combining stable year-round stores with high-volume seasonal pop-ups. The company’s long-standing history, consistent store count, and proven ability to drive traffic during seasonal peaks underscore its credibility as a retail tenant. With private ownership since 2015 and a centralized real estate team based in Easton, Pennsylvania, Spencer’s maintains a disciplined approach to site selection and store operations, making it a recognizable and reliable presence in specialty retail.