Long before the first autumn leaf falls, The Home Depot’s store teams execute a massive logistical operation: our annual Halloween set. Transforming our aisles into an immersive seasonal destination requires precise planning and the dedicated efforts of our Merchandising Execution Team (MET). From staging our iconic 12-foot skeletons to ensuring strict safety protocols on the sales floor, bringing these displays to life is both a skill and an art.
We spoke with one of our MET associates, Nicholas, to go behind the scenes and learn exactly what it takes to build the Halloween experience our customers anticipate year after year.
How early does the team start prepping for a massive interactive display like the Halloween set?
The prep work actually starts about three to four weeks ahead of time. Our Merchant Execution Team (MET) gets the project details early to validate fixtures—checking the skeleton frames, placing hanging cords, ensuring we have the right beams, and double-checking equipment.
Catching potential issues early is huge. The Thursday or Friday before set day, we walk the floor, inspect the planograms, and figure out exactly what needs to be reset. We coordinate with store leadership to clear out the bays so that when set day arrives, all we have to do is move beams and place product.
You mentioned "planograms"—for those outside retail, what are those and how do they work?
Think of a planogram like a step-by-step blueprint or map for every single bay. Halloween and Christmas are unique because they involve multiple detailed planograms per bay.
Note: A "bay" is a specific, numbered vertical section of shelving or racking within an aisle.
The planogram shows us the exact height for every shelf beam measured from the floor, lists every SKU, and lists a numbered placement scheme. You read it just like a typewriter—left to right, top to bottom. There's zero guessing involved; every prop and item has an exact home assigned down to the inch.
How many team members does it take to assemble the Halloween set?
It depends on the size of the set and the store location. For a standard four-bay set, we might kick off with a team of six associates to knock out the heavy lifting. As tasks finish up, people pivot back to other projects, scaling down to just two people for the final touches.
At higher-volume locations or stores with larger displays, you'll see full teams working two days straight to get everything built.
Safety is always top of mind. What steps do you take when assembling these huge, moving props on the sales floor?
First, we manage the floor space. While building, we intentionally leave unbuilt components on the ground to create a natural blockade, keeping foot traffic at a safe distance. We also work on one animatronic at a time, assembling them in dedicated clear zones before staging them in their final bay.
For extra stability, heavy-duty props feature weighted bases—like custom display blocks with hidden bricks inside—to anchor the animatronics firmly in place once they are active.
Do you have a favorite prop from this year’s Halloween lineup?
Definitely the Zombie Velociraptor. We have a giant 9-foot T-Rex which is awesome, but the Raptor stands near life-size and looks incredible in person. It’s definitely a standout piece this year.
How does it feel once the last prop is built and the set is finished?
It’s a great feeling to check a massive seasonal project off the list. Getting these big interactive sets completed means we can pivot back to supporting our daily customers and keeping store operations running smoothly.
Highlights from This Year's Display
Inspired to build your own neighborhood destination? Here are a few standout pieces you'll spot in our aisles—and perhaps your own yard—this season:
