“Scary Good” — Halloween’s Skelly Economy, Detroit’s Minivan Miss, and Ramp’s Money Musical

The $299, 12-foot Halloween skeleton that Home Depot first sold in 2020 has become an annual franchise defying both inflation and the K-shaped economy, while Detroit’s Big Three hit a record-low 36% market share after missing the hybrid and minivan booms, and fintech company Ramp staged a Broadway musical called Bill Pay starring Billy Zane. These were the three main stories on this episode, alongside a look at celebrity beauty and beverage brands quietly shutting down.

The $300 Skeleton That Refuses to Die

Home Depot’s 12-foot Halloween skeleton, nicknamed “Skelly” by a viral video and embraced by the company, has become a reliable annual bestseller. The strategic height—12 feet, slightly taller than a basketball hoop—gave consumers an immediate frame of reference for its size. When interest rates spiked and home improvement spending tanked, Skelly remained an affordable splurge for the whole family.