It has begun: Oreo announces return of Pumpkin Spice cookies — in August

Once again, Oreo has fired the first salvo Pumpkin Spice season, announcing the return of its autumnal, orange creme-filled cookie is set for August 15.

The announcement puts Oreo again in the lead spot for spice supremacy; Last year, the cookie brand got the drop on the dropping leaves by releasing its cider donut-flavored creme cookie — in July.

Starbucks announced its Pumpkin Spice Latte last August, and while no formal announcement has been made, it appears August 30 could be the big day.  

What traditionally follows is months of products clogging shelves, from breakfast cereal to deodorant, all vying for consumers to take a slice of nutmeg-scented nostalgia.