CREEP-ING IT REAL: THE FA-BOO-LOUS WAYS RETAILERS HAVE CELEBRATED HALLOWEEN THIS YEAR!
Happy Halloween, everybody!
Here at C-Talk, we’re all about creativity; in-store, online, real life or digital, we love it all- which is why Halloween is the prime time to showcase some of the spooktacular ways that retailers have celebrated and made the most for both their communities and businesses.
Starting off strong with Woosnam & Davies News, who gave their community ‘pumpkin to talk about’ with the wonderful idea of having the local children colour in/decorate their own pumpkins, sticking them up on the wall for everybody to see; a great way to bring the community close together during this time of year!
“Every child that returned a picture got a little gift as a thank you from us,” Retailer Trudy Davies tells us, “We have displayed their wonderful creations in our window for all the community to enjoy.
“The array and imaginative ideas in their artwork is amazing. Well worth a visit if you’re in Llanidloes to see them all! We’ll be keeping them on display for a week or two yet.”
Speaking of pumpkins, the clever team over at GoLocal Town Street Sandiacre have presented us with this efficient little lollipop-wielding Jack-O-Lantern, complete with a kind reminder and some delicious treats.
Sandiacre Retailer Amit states that, “I’m also a local; I have grown up in my town and have earned my stripes by being an active part of the community. Be it donations, local events or child sponsorships.
“We have a lot of fun in our shop with Halloween- I’m the most immature person I know! I only did the pumpkin lollipop holder because I wanted to play with a drill, but I got some decent views on the videos. Might try something similar for Christmas with a mini tree!” We very much look forward to seeing that! It’s also brilliant to see retailers stepping out and entering the world of social media with ideas like this; it’s almost always guaranteed traction online! Well done.
Londis Solo Convenience, Baillieston in Glasgow have been infamous in their community for turning their store into a makeshift pirate ship for the spooky season; complete with matching staff costumes, a sail and a Jolly Roger plaque!
Londis Retailer Natalie Lightfoot has shared with us all of the wonderful things they did for Halloween this year, including a raffle for their local community, Halloween competitions and wrap hamper prizes!
“Every year since Covid, we have been a part of the Baillieston Community Spirit Halloween walk,” Natalie notes, “It was built because kids couldn’t trick or treat. It’s got bigger every year and is now a full scale event.
“We design Halloween competitions in the lead up or jokes competitions, wrap hampers for the overall prize. This year, we handed out over 200 chocolate apples and we ran out within the first hour!
“900 people attended. A customer donated £50 for us to use however we saw fit because she said we do so much for the community.
“As a retailer who has been amongst this community for 17 years, nothing beats the feeling of all the kids and parents happy and enjoying themselves in wholesome fun that we helped organise. The coming together with other businesses and being recognised as vital is a feeling you cannot top,”
Natalie adds, “It’s an honour. If I could bottle that feeling I would. Being a retailer is not just about making money; to be honest, you make more with events like this because you can gain loyalty and lifelong respect.”
As always, it is key to connect with your community and the people within it as aretailer; we couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Amazingly put, Natalie.
Below are some honourable mentions for this year’s Halloween celebrations…
Holborn’s Redhill have gotten into the spooky spirit by quite literally ‘spooking up’ their spirits; skulls, creepy crawlies and even pumpkin orange tinsel can be found amidst bottles of wine and lager.
Spar, Cape Avenue have provided for their community this year by setting up tables of homemade Halloween cakes and cans of pop for 20p, with all of the proceeds going towards Marie Curie and Castle Church Primary School.
With the pronounced Pumpkin hanging from the ceiling and the banners draped across the windows, it’s hard to miss the Halloween festivities in this store!
Chatha’s GoLocal Extra have been super proactive in their online marketing, taking charge of the occasion by creating striking videos to promote the deals and offers they have in store. The organisation is a sight to revel in, too!
Overall, it’s safe to say that we can count Halloween as a success; this is only a handful of retailers, after all! We’re certain that there are hundreds and thousands more that have successfully served and taken active part in their communities during the bone-chilling month of October.
Have any cool decorations or news you want us to see? Don’t hesitate to contact us at info@c-talk.co.uk for a chance to be featured on C-Talk’s weekly Retailer News!