Author: mramcinfo@gmail.com

As surreal as it may seem, the spooktacular climax to autumn is almost upon us. Along with all the things that make Halloween wickedly good, there are opportunities for your small business to capitalize on the fun. Halloween is widely considered to kick off the holiday shopping season and is the 2nd largest shopping holiday of the year, close on the heels of Christmas. This “bewitching” holiday makes up a large chunk of the annual revenue online retailers see. Holiday shoppers spent an estimated 8 billion dollars last year for Halloween alone, and this year that number is expected to be even higher.

In 2020, 148 million Americans celebrated Halloween with a record $92.12 of average spending per buyer. Even more, 34% of those Halloween purchases are made through eCommerce sites. That’s a lot of opportunities! Now is the perfect time to launch your holiday readiness plan and capitalize on all the tricks of the trade. Even if your store doesn’t sell costumes, candy, or Halloween décor, there are creative ways for brands of all kinds to participate in the bewitching fun by appealing to Halloween lovers. Don’t allow your business to fall flat in the Halloween game.

Knowing HOW your buyers are celebrating is key to marketing TO them. People are looking for joy, and what brings more joy than a holiday full of costumes, creativity, and candy?

How is Halloween spending split?

 When surveyed in 2020, consumers said they planned to spend money on:

• 65% planned to buy costumes

• A whopping 96% of respondents said they planned to spend money on the good stuff – candy!

• 75% expected to buy decorations

• 40% planned to spend money on Halloween greeting cards

Keeping these figures from last year in mind will give you a better idea of what to expect this year and how to market most aptly. Make it worth their while for customers to visit your eCommerce business and purchase your products and services.

By realizing exactly how loved this haunting holiday is, eCommerce business owners can stay ahead of the competition and appeal to their audience’s fright-loving side — and it would bring the most significant benefits to get started with your preparations now. Check last year’s sales and traffic numbers to get an idea of what to expect this year, and don’t let your business fall by the wayside as others capitalize on the Halloween spirit.

1. Halloweenize your shop!

Creep it real and decorate your homepage for the season. Create a fun Halloween video showcasing your shop’s spooky side, and include any promotional discounts or special items. Add a witchy welcome coupon pop-up with a catchy image or punny message to draw them in. You can also tap into nostalgia by using classic Halloween imagery. Remember, fall harvest items can do double duty for both Halloween and Thanksgiving. Be sure to promote both themes, and don’t remove fall items from your highlights before the end of November. Make sure to test your site on mobile, because over 60% of Halloween searches are coming from mobile devices.

2. Issue frightfully good flash sales

Advertise short flash sales every day to draw new and returning patrons alike. You could also provide “door prizes” like coupon codes or a free treat with purchase for stopping by – all in the name of Halloween! This would be a great opportunity to upsell and offer your patrons a spell-binding bargain!

3. Create an email campaign that will give your customers goosebumps

Email marketing has been proven to work devilishly well and has some of the highest ROIs of all marketing tactics. Ongoing interactions with your customers will help build necessary relationships and increase loyalty to your brand. Email marketing campaigns are pretty affordable and are often a great way to promote your business and stay connected.

4. Use social media to appeal to their “dark” side

It’s no secret that social media is a highly beneficial tool for any business. During the holidays, strategically created social media posts can bring lucrative results! Use a unique hashtag (like #halloween2021) to increase engagement and put your shop in front of audiences wanting to have a howling good time.

5. Utilize your shop suggestions by tweaking them to represent Halloween as well as the other upcoming holidays

With Halloween often regarded as the start of the holiday shopping season, offer a Christmas-themed add-on at checkout. This can plant the seed for future holiday purchases, potentially leading to a more significant profit margin. It may also get plan-ahead shoppers thinking about what else they could buy right now, especially if you’re running a sale or offering discounts.

As the holiday season approaches, retailers are gearing up to meet the evolving demands of consumers. The landscape of retail is continually changing, driven by technology, consumer preferences, and global events. For the 2024 holiday season, several key trends are emerging that will shape the way retailers operate and how consumers shop. Let’s explore these trends in detail.

1. Omnichannel Shopping Experience

The pandemic accelerated the shift to omnichannel retailing, and this trend is expected to reach new heights in 2024. Consumers now expect a seamless shopping experience that integrates online and offline channels. Retailers are investing heavily in technology that allows for better inventory management and data integration across platforms.

For example, retailers are utilizing mobile apps that enable customers to check product availability in-store or order online for in-store pickup. This convenience not only enhances the shopping experience but also drives foot traffic to brick-and-mortar locations, which are striving to reclaim their significance in a digital-first world.

Best Practices:

• Implement real-time inventory updates across platforms.
• Offer flexible payment options, including buy-now-pay-later services.
• Enhance the in-store experience with technology like augmented reality (AR) to help customers visualize products.

2. Personalization and AI

In 2024, personalization will take center stage in retail strategies. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) allow retailers to tailor shopping experiences to individual preferences, creating a more engaging customer journey. By analyzing shopping behaviors, retailers can offer personalized product recommendations, targeted promotions, and customized content. 

Furthermore, chatbots and virtual assistants are becoming standard tools for customer service, helping shoppers find what they need quickly and efficiently. This level of personalization not only increases customer satisfaction but also fosters loyalty. To learn more visit Ken Yanhs of TotalRetail.com article on 3 proven AI strategies that will boost your 2024 holiday retail sales.

Best Practices:

• Utilize customer data to create personalized marketing campaigns.
• Implement AI-driven chatbots for enhanced customer support.
• Encourage user-generated content to create a sense of community and engagement.

3. Sustainability and Ethical Shopping

Sustainability continues to be a major concern for consumers, and this trend will be even more pronounced during the 2024 holiday season. Shoppers are increasingly seeking brands that prioritize ethical practices, sustainable sourcing, and eco-friendly packaging.

Retailers are responding by adopting more transparent supply chains and offering products that align with consumers’ values. In addition to traditional retailers, second-hand and rental services are gaining traction, as consumers look for ways to shop sustainably without sacrificing quality.

Best Practices:

• Highlight sustainable products in marketing campaigns.
• Offer incentives for recycling or returning products.
• Partner with eco-friendly organizations to enhance brand credibility.

4. Social Commerce and Influencer Marketing

Social media platforms are transforming into vibrant marketplaces, and social commerce is a trend that will dominate the retail landscape in 2024. Consumers are increasingly shopping directly through social media apps, driven by the influence of content creators and influencers.

Retailers are leveraging partnerships with influencers to reach targeted audiences and promote their holiday offerings. By integrating shoppable posts, brands can create a frictionless shopping experience that encourages impulse buying, particularly among younger consumers.

Best Practices:

• Collaborate with micro-influencers for authentic engagement.
• Create shoppable content that highlights product benefits.
• Utilize user-generated content to build trust and community.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s rapidly transforming how businesses across all industries operate. Large enterprises were the first to harness the power of AI to streamline operations, boost efficiency, and enhance customer experiences. However, in recent years, mid-market companies—those with annual revenues ranging from $10 million to $1 billion—have increasingly adopted AI technologies to fuel their growth. By leveraging AI tools and applications, these companies are enhancing their competitiveness, improving decision-making, optimizing operations, and driving innovation.

Mid-market companies face a unique set of challenges compared to both small businesses and large enterprises. They often have fewer resources than big corporations but need to be just as agile and competitive. This is where AI comes into play. With the rapid development of AI technologies, the barrier to entry has significantly lowered, making it more accessible to businesses of various sizes.