If asked to identify the busiest sales time period of the year, the Winter holidays probably come to the top of your mind. You might also think about Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or even those weeks before the kids go back to school. But did you ever consider that Halloween could represent a time for higher profits for your store? Here’s how you can scare up some seriously large sales volume this October.
1. Start early.
You may have noticed that Winter holiday merchandise is already on the shelves in September. Use this same logic to create a buzz about your upcoming Halloween products and specials well in advance of the big day. Creative emails that raise brand awareness and inform customers about how you are celebrating Halloween can be combined with a fun and engaging social media campaign. Use it to engage existing customers and bring in new ones by sponsoring a fun contest with one of your prime products as the prize.
2. Update your website for effective mobile optimization.
With every passing year, more buyers are using their cellphones to shop. Whether you are looking to promote Halloween decorations and treats or you just want to increase brand awareness in general, your website should be built to make mobile purchases as smooth, fast, and secure as possible.
To that end, place your content in the middle of the screen for maximum engagement. Test out your site to ensure that you can navigate it with only your thumb. Talk to your merchant account provider to ensure that your site has the optimal download speed. Finally, spruce up your home page with Halloween-themed stickers and pop-ups. These modifications may seem small, but they create a fun and exciting space that will lead to more purchases.
3. Create a sense of urgency.
Regardless of the season, consumers are more likely to complete a purchase if time is limited or quantities are scarce. With in-store signage, email blasts, and social media posts, it’s easy to advertise one-time-only flash sales and product quantity countdowns that inspire buyers to get the Halloween goods they want directly from your physical or online store.
4. Be creative.
Like no other time of the year, Halloween gives you the chance to let your artistic juices flow. There is no amateur vs. professional with a holiday where many costumes are home-made and a goal is to be as off-the-wall and unconventional as possible.
Join this spirit by taking your website and social media content to the next level. Make themed videos for your flash sale; host a Halloween-influenced how-to for one of your most popular items.
5. Get people into your physical store with events.
Once again, early advertising and social media engagement is key. The goal is to bring foot traffic to your store with a fun, Halloween-related event such as free trick-or-treat bags, pumpkin carving/painting, or an in-person costume contest — with prizes, of course. Another way to increase brand awareness is to partner with other business owners by participating in a seasonal fair, farmer’s market, or party.
Halloween can be one of the best times of your sales year. Just make it a priority to prepare in advance with smart advertising, the savvy use of social media, and a fun and customer-friendly atmosphere on your site and in-store. If you do, this Oct. 31 can be a success for your retail business.
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