The spooky season is upon us, and with it comes the opportunity for brands in the apparel industry to capitalize on Halloween.

We know what you’re thinking… no, you don’t have to sell costumes. You can explore Halloween themes in your products and marketing campaigns without venturing into costume territory.

Even though it may seem like a niche holiday, Halloween offers a phenomenal opportunity for apparel brands to reach new customers and boost sales. A recent study by LendingTree showed that Millennials and Gen-Z plan to spend the most on Halloween this year.

Halloween is in four days, but we thought it would be fun to look at how apparel brands can take advantage of the holiday. You can implement these tips for next year. After all, Halloween 2023 will be here before we know it.

Why Halloween is a Scary Good Opportunity for Apparel Brands

Not sold on the spooky hype? Here are a few reasons why you should consider creating a Halloween-themed product line or marketing campaign:

Because It’s Fun!

Halloween is a time when people are more likely to take risks with their fashion choices. They’re also open to trying new things, which means they might be more receptive to your brand if they haven’t heard of it before.

It’s the perfect time to experiment with bolder designs, unusual color combinations, and edgier styling. This is your chance to break out of the mold and really show your customers what your brand is all about.

Halloween = Big Spending

Halloween means business. According to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey, consumers spent $10.1 billion on Halloween in 2021. The projected spending for 2022 is $10.6 billion.

That’s a lot of money you’re leaving on the table if you decide not to get involved with Halloween. This holiday is only getting bigger and better for businesses.

It’s Not Just for Kids

When you think of Halloween, you probably think of little kids in costumes trick-or-treating. But the holiday has evolved over the years and now includes people of all ages.

Adults are just as likely to get into the spooky spirit. This means there’s a whole new market for you to tap into with your Halloween-themed offers.

6 Tips to Make the Most of the Spooky Season

1. Use Spooky or Festive Themes Within Your Products

Consider creating special Halloween-themed designs or patterns that can be used on t-shirts or other apparel. Customers will be looking for festive clothing to wear during the Halloween season, so this is a great way to get your products noticed.

2. Get Festive With Your Packaging

If you sell online, consider using festive packaging during the Halloween season. For example, you could use black and orange wrapping paper or include Halloween stickers in each order. This will make your packages stand out and get customers excited about opening them.

3. Create Halloween-Themed Marketing Campaigns

While your potential customers are all thinking about Halloween, it’s the perfect time to launch marketing campaigns that tie into the holiday.

You could create social media ads with ominous imagery, run a contest with a Halloween-themed prize, or even partner with other brands on co-branded Halloween initiatives.

Want to tap into the Halloween spirit in more subtle ways? Use creepy fonts and dark colors in your ads. (And of course, don’t forget to include a call-to-action (CTA) that encourages customers to buy your products.)

People love when their favorite brands get into the Halloween spirit, so getting creative with your marketing during this time will pay off.

4. Offer Special Halloween Sales or Discounts

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are right around the corner, but that doesn’t mean you can’t offer special deals leading up to those big shopping holidays. Offering sales or discounts specifically for Halloween can be a great way to stand out from the competition.

For example, you could offer a percentage off all Halloween-themed items in your store, or free shipping on orders over a certain amount. If you want to go the extra mile, you could even create a Halloween-themed landing page on your website where customers can browse all of your spooky deals in one place.

Whatever you decide, make sure your offers are highly visible and easy to find on your website or app.

5. Get Involved in the Community

Halloween events are happening all over the country. Get involved in the ones happening near you. You could sponsor a local pumpkin carving contest or hand out candy at a trunk-or-treat event. (If you’re feeling really generous, you could give out t-shirts!)

Not only will this help get your brand name out there, but it’s also a great way to build relationships with potential customers in your community. And who knows, they may remember your brand the next time they go shopping.

6. Plan Ahead for Next Year

Finally, don’t forget to start planning for next year’s Halloween season. That way, you can hit the ground running and make the most of the holiday.

The manufacturing process can take weeks or months, depending on the products you sell, so it’s important to start working on your Halloween designs well in advance.

At Scrappy Apparel, we have some of the fastest turnaround times in the industry, but we always recommend starting the manufacturing process early to avoid any last-minute rush.

Here’s our recommended Halloween 2023 campaign timeline:

• June 2023: Finalize products and order inventory
• July/August 2023: Plan and prepare marketing campaigns
• September 2023: Start promoting Halloween apparel
• October 2023: Continue promoting and offer your best deals during this month
• November 2023: Analyze results and plan for next year

Is Your Inventory Ready for the Holidays?

You can rely on Scrappy Apparel to get your inventory ready for the busiest shopping days of the year.

Whether you’re looking for retail-ready screen printing or a cut-and-sew program to bring your dream garment to life, we’re here to help. You’re welcome to check out some of our previous work, and our team will happily answer any questions you have.

The holidays are almost here, so don’t wait to begin your project!