Check out these Halloween marketing ideas for small businesses to help promote your services over the spooky season.
Halloween is one of the best times of year for small businesses in the UK to connect with their community, boost sales, and stand out. This spooky season isn’t just for large retailers – local businesses and other small businesses can take part too.
By planning a creative Halloween marketing campaign, you can engage customers, attract a new audience, and encourage Halloween shoppers to choose your store or service.
Halloween Promotion Ideas
From Halloween promotions and promotion ideas to fun community events, there are endless Halloween marketing ideas that make it easy to create memorable experiences.
With themed promotions, a touch of Halloween spirit, and clever marketing strategies, any small business can run a successful Halloween promotion.
Below are ten Halloween marketing ideas tailored for UK independents, each designed to increase visibility, attract more customers, and add a spooky twist to your marketing efforts.
Café And Coffee Shop Halloween Marketing
Host a Halloween experience in your café by launching a special Halloween campaign. Add Halloween themed products to your menu, like pumpkin spice lattes or ghost-shaped biscuits.
Introduce Halloween treats that create a festive atmosphere and make your café feel Instagram worthy. Rename everyday items with fun titles-turn a chocolate muffin into “Witch’s Cauldron Cupcake” for example.
To attract attention, decorate your café with pumpkins, Halloween decorations, and warm orange lights. Share social media posts and short videos to showcase your cosy Halloween setting.
This simple yet cost effective approach is a fantastic way to run early promotions that draw in more foot traffic. The key is to use Halloween as a chance to connect, generate excitement, and show off your café’s brand personality.
Florists Halloween Promotions
A great Halloween marketing idea for florists is creating hauntingly beautiful bouquets. Design Halloween themed items with autumn shades and accents like pumpkins or cobwebs.
You could sell limited edition products such as a bouquet inside a carved pumpkin vase, or add Halloween themed packaging for seasonal bundles.
Use themed packaging and bold Halloween decorations in your shop window to grab people’s attention. Share photos and social media campaigns highlighting these floral Halloween themed products.
This approach not only draws in existing customers but also reaches a wider audience through social media marketing and user generated content when followers share your Halloween themed content.
Bookshop Halloween Marketing
Why not host a Halloween reading night? An independent bookshop can run a Halloween event like ghost story evenings or a children’s Halloween party with treats. Invite families to come in costume and reward them with special discounts or a free gift.
This builds community spirit and makes your shop a hub for Halloween celebrations.
Beforehand, set up a Halloween themed decor display featuring spooky novels, mysteries, and children’s books. Share the event through your Facebook page, social media channels, and blog articles to encourage customers to join in.
Such marketing ideas bring in new customers, improve engagement, and showcase your bookshop as a place for memorable experiences during the Halloween season.
Hair Salon Halloween Promotion Ideas
Salons can create a Halloween buzz with fun makeover packages. Offer themed Halloween promotions like glitter highlights, temporary colour streaks, or full costume competition-ready looks.
A dress up discount for clients arriving in costume can increase foot traffic and add fun to the day.
Decorate with banners, cobwebs, or Halloween themed props. Encourage social media contests by asking clients to share their makeover pictures with a branded hashtag.
This is an effective way to gain user generated content, grow brand awareness, and attract a target audience looking for party-ready hairstyles.
Barbershop Halloween Marketing
For barbershops, special Halloween deals work well. A Halloween promotion like offering a discount or free gift (such as a beard trim) for anyone wearing a Halloween costume is simple yet effective. Call it your dress up discount.
Add a bowl of candy for children trick or treating, and decorate with low-cost props like skull posters or hanging bats. Staff can wear t shirts with a spooky design to engage customers without going over the top.
Share interactive posts on your social media platforms to build more engagement. With the right marketing tips, you’ll drive traffic and increase visibility around October.
Pet Groomers Halloween Promotions
Pet owners love to show off the best Halloween costumes for their furry friends. Hosting a Halloween costume contest or pet costume competition is a fantastic way to generate buzz. You could run it in-store or online through social media contests.
Invite participants to tag your shop on Instagram or your Facebook page, turning their pet photos into user generated content that drives more customers to your services.
Offer prizes like free grooming sessions or themed toys. Encourage followers with interactive elements like polls or contests. This not only spreads your brand but also supports community events and strengthens your marketing campaign.
Local Gift Shop Halloween Marketing Ideas
Run a successful promotion with mystery goodie bags. Offer Halloween themed surprise bags as a freebie or for a small discount when customers make a purchase.
Include Halloween themed items such as candles, stickers, or trinkets to create a sense of holiday spirit.
Prepare seasonal bundles that include home decor, Halloween themed packaging, and little Halloween products. Use flash sales to generate urgency and encourage followers through social media channels.
Adding interactive elements like a mini game, clues, or quizzes to win a bag helps build excitement and attracts new customers.
Boutique Or Clothing Shop Halloween Marketing
Even if you don’t sell costumes, you can still create a Halloween buzz in your boutique. Highlight best Halloween costumes inspired looks using your own merchandise and accessories.
Organise a Halloween scavenger hunt in-store, where customers search for hidden themed items to win a special discount.
Encourage social media posts where followers showcase their outfits with your specific hashtag.
This influencer marketing style approach increases brand awareness, creates more engagement, and helps you reach a new audience. Staff can wear light Halloween themed accessories to reinforce the festive content.
Bakery Halloween Marketing Ideas
A bakery can easily tap into Halloween sales with Halloween treats like ghost-shaped biscuits, cobweb cupcakes, or spooky treats for kids. Sell limited time Halloween products such as toffee apple loaves or pumpkin pies. Bundle them into seasonal products for exclusive deals.
Encourage families to participate in a pumpkin carving contest or cookie-decorating activity, tying it into community events. Promote your Halloween offers with social media campaigns and short videos.
Highlighting special Halloween goods through your website or landing page ensures online sales too. This is a perfect opportunity to connect with loyal customers and attract new customers during the seasonal celebration.
Home Cleaning Service Halloween Marketing
Even without a storefront, a home cleaning service can run a successful Halloween promotion.
Advertise a post-Halloween clean-up special with exclusive discounts for Halloween shoppers who hosted a Halloween party. Position it as a cost effective way to tackle sticky floors or pumpkin mess.
Post social media posts with marketing tips on cleaning glitter or fake blood stains. This helps you encourage customers, generate buzz, and show your brand personality.
Adding email marketing or Halloween emails with a free shipping code on cleaning products can drive sales and build loyalty with existing customers.
Halloween Marketing Ideas: Conclusion
Halloween is the perfect time for UK small businesses to embrace the holiday spirit and try creative Halloween promotional ideas. From Halloween campaign ideas like contests and scavenger hunt activities, to seasonal sales, special Halloween deals, and themed promotions, there are plenty of ways to maximize sales.
By combining social media marketing, in-store decorations, and influencer marketing, you can increase engagement, increase sales, and attract a target market of excited Halloween shoppers.
Whether you decorate your shop, launch early bird offers, or collaborate with other local businesses, these marketing ideas help your business stand out.
Add interactive elements, share festive content through your website or landing page, and create a Halloween experience that keeps people excited. With the right marketing strategies, your business can achieve both more foot traffic and online shopping success.
Most importantly, you’ll show your community that you’re ready to celebrate and say with confidence: Happy Halloween!
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Sources:
Rapid Formations: 12 Halloween marketing ideas for small businesses (Kate Williams, 2025).
Event Supplies: 10 Halloween marketing ideas for cafes & restaurants (Blog article, 2022).
LocaliQ: 14 Frighteningly Easy Halloween Promotions & Marketing Ideas (Blog article, 2023).
Bionic: 7 ways to get your SME ready for the spooky season! (Chloë Bell, 2021).
Strelitzia (Florist Software): Halloween Tricks and Treats for Florists (Blog post, 2022).