When spooky stores means super sales: Bestsellers, NPD, Halloween trends

Halloween might be a time for spooky costumes and trick-or-treating, but for convenience stores, it’s becoming a major business opportunity with each passing year. This spooky season is no longer just a trick, but a retail treat, bringing in excited families, last-minute shoppers, and candy-hunting ghouls.

In the UK, Halloween has evolved from a niche event into one of the most commercially significant dates on the retail calendar. Mintel data shows the Halloween market in the UK has seen significant growth in recent years, with consumer spending surpassing £1 billion in 2023, particularly among younger generations aged 16–34.

That represents a meteoric rise from 2013, when Britons were only spending a total of £230 million on costumes, candy, films, pumpkins (or turnips for the diehard traditionalists) lighting and other decorations.

As consumers come together to connect and socialise at home this Halloween and Bonfire Night, they will be on the lookout for larger pack sizes of savoury snacks, wide range of confectionery, soft drinks and of course, alcohol range so that they can enjoy together at home.

For convenience store owners, this is an opportunity that should not be overlooked. Unlike larger retailers, local convenience stores have the advantage of proximity and immediacy, catering to the needs of customers who are looking for last-minute supplies or quick top-ups for Halloween parties.

Lauren Priestley – Head of Category Development Off Trade at Diageo, tends to agree, saying that key calendar dates and seasonal moments such as Halloween and Bonfire Night present huge opportunities for local retailers.

Priestley states, “We know that in the week leading up to Halloween last year, value sales of spirits were worth £19.61m in the impulse sector, so retailers that plan ahead and think about stocking products that lend themselves to these events will be able to maximise the opportunity.

“These key calendar occasions provide adult consumers with an opportunity to socialise and create memorable moments at home. When preparing for these special occasions, we expect consumers to look out for well-known brands they trust and that can be shared with friends. For this reason, we suggest stocking a range of well-known, high-quality spirits that can deliver on taste assurances.”

Trick or treat

Halloween is synonymous with sweets, and this is where convenience stores can shine. Coupled with the fact that confectionery falls in top three crowd puller in a convenience store, retailers should expect rush of parents and other adults looking for candies and sweets for all the little trick and treaters.

And the rush is only rising each year.

Kathryn Hague, Head of Marketing at Hancocks points out that the value sales of sweets increased by 16.7 per cent compared to the previous Halloween period.Hague says, “The final week of October was the main time people were making Halloween purchases, seeing a significant uplift in sales with the additional value worth +£21m.”

Hague informs that sugar confectionery was the winning format last Halloween, managing to attract new shoppers, whilst chocolate confectionery lost shoppers. Halloween novelties, sugar minis and tubs were categories that were driving both value and volume growth last year.

Hague says, “Bonds Dracula Teeth and Spooky Mix Cups are filled with Halloween-themed pick n mix sweets and they come in re-sealable cups made with 30 per cent recycled material and are kerbside recyclable.

“Crazy Candy Factory’s novelty kids confectionery products are also among our Halloween best-sellers. Crazy Candy Factory Bone Breaker skeleton puzzle candy and Zombie Brain are perfect for the spooky holiday and look great on the shelves. Candy Realms Pumpkin Light Up Pops, Spooky Tubes and Skull Mallow Pops were also incredibly popular among young shoppers last year.”

Not to forget the key categories for the Bonfire Night such as marshmallows and old-fashioned fudge, toffee and treacle flavoured treats.

Hague says, “Customers’ favourites are extra large and tasty vanilla-flavoured Mega Marshmallows which are perfect for roasting or making s’mores.

“Walkers Nonsuch is one of Britain’s oldest makers of traditional toffee and their treacle-flavoured Toffee Bars 100g RRP £0.89 and Toffee Bags RRP £1.79 will definitely be a hit during Bonfire Night celebrations.

“The Walkers Nonsuch toffees can also be purchased in 2.5kg bulk bags for £13.49 – the sweets are individually wrapped so they’re ideal additions to pick-and-mix displays.”

Retailers should also give considerable shelf space to bestselling Swizzels’ products, including the Squashies Mini bags, Sweet Shop Favourites Carton, Squashies Carton, and Sweet Treats Tub. Each sharing option features individually wrapped sweets, making them perfect for seasonal displays.

Swizzels has launched a series of new products for specially for Halloween but much on that later.

Halloween signifies candies, sweets and gums of all kinds. The more the range, the better are the chances for impulse sales. Another must stock items are Fruit-tella and Chupa Chups which are now synonymous with Halloween.

According to Derek Baker, Trade Marketing Controller at Perfetti Van Melle, both brands are undergoing developments to ensure they are as sustainable as possible with regards to packaging, and there is a broad range of SKUs that appeal to all shoppers – from sugar-free, full sugar, to wrapped, sharing and individual portions.Baker informs, “Our popular Chupa Chups’ ‘The Creeps’ Halloween themed POS will be rolling out across retailers and stores – we’ve seen success with this in the past and know that shoppers will be on the lookout for us.”

With names like Mentos, Fruit-tella, Chupa Chups, and Smint (collectively worth over £100 million), Perfetti Van Melle is now positioned as the world’s second-leading confectionery manufacturer, says Mark Roberts, Marketing & Trade Marketing Director at Perfetti Van Melle.

Roberts observes, “Offering a full range that supports the government’s HFSS guidelines of under 150kcal per pack – something most manufacturers can’t, gives Perfetti the opportunity to be closer to these impulse purchases.”

Family favourite and top ten candy brand, Fruit-tella’s best-selling chews have now transitioned to a fully vegan recipe, meaning that the brand can now deliver fruity joy to an even bigger audience of consumers. The switch to vegan will be implemented across the full range of chews.

Not to forget Mentos Candy, which is now worth £38.2m, with growth being driven thanks to continuous innovation from Perfetti Van Melle captivating customers – exemplified by the exciting new launch of Mentos Discovery, which offers a category-first 14 different flavour sweets in one roll.

Roberts says, “Mentos Discovery is primed to break new ground in the category with 14 flavours including passion fruit, lychee, blueberry, blackcurrant, lime, strawberry, raspberry, orange, lemon, watermelon, banana, grape, cherry and pineapple.”

Following the success of Mentos Fanta launch in summer 2022 the much sought after Mentos Fanta has been awarded Product of the Year 2023. The launch saw two global power brands from candy and soft drinks join forces to make the delicious orange drink Fanta available in a chewable format.

Mentos Fanta launched globally last year, the product is now within the bestselling fruit single lines in convenience, petrol, and travel.

Munching monsters

Halloween brings a buzz of activities in the community and excitement that builds up to the final day. Combined with pre-parties and Bonfire Nights, the opportunities are endless for local stores.

Susan Nash, Trade Communications Manager at Mondelēz International, states, “Seasonal events like Halloween are great for bringing family and friends together, as shown by the fact that the top-selling products are typically sharing-style confectionery in tubs, treat-size multipacks and sharing products.

“Treat-size and sharing products are key for retailers looking to have a successful season. These formats are particularly suited for consumers welcoming Trick-or-Treaters, as this popular tradition is currently the number one ritual at Halloween – ahead of pumpkin carving – with 76 per cent of consumers saying they take part in Trick-or-Treating.”

Key lines such as OREO Spooky biscuits continue to drive growth during the season. This year, these packs will feature brand-new embossed cookies in three different designs as well as OREO’s new -look packaging, which will help these delightfully spooky treats stand out even more on shelf.

Matt Collins, Sales Director at KP Snacks, also seems to be a Halloween enthusiast.

To capitalise on Bonfire Night and Halloween, Collins recommends retailers to stock a wholesome range of sharing crisps, snacks and nuts (CSN) products.

Collins tells Asian Trader, “Worth £2bn, sharing is the largest segment in CSN and is growing strongly at +7.4 per cent. At KP Snacks, we are catering to the growth of sharing occasions with a diverse portfolio of tasty snacks to generate demand and drive sales.

“Our exciting range has something for everyone from KP Nuts, Butterkist, Penn State Pretzels and of course Tyrrells crisps.”

KP Nuts portfolio is also a winning bet as it offers delicious flavours and a range of formats, and is nearly five times bigger than the nearest branded competitor. Nuts are naturally packed with protein and fibre delivering on both taste and health, and have therefore been excluded from HFSS legislation.

Collins adds, “Bringing big, bold flavours to evening sharing, the largest occasion within both nuts and sharing, our KP Nuts Flavour Kravers range was recently expanded with the launch of two new coated variants- Crunchy Coated Aromatic Thai Chilli and Crunchy Coated Katsu Curry.”

The importance of the popcorn category shouldn’t be underestimated within the sharing occasion. Ideal for cosy family nights in spent watching films or casual family get-togethers is Butterkist.

Collins said, “At nearly twice as large as its nearest branded competitor, Butterkist enjoys a 35.4 per cent market share. With popcorn-sharing occasions growing +21 per cent and 85 per cent of popcorn consumed at a sharing occasion (2+ people present), Butterkist is a delicious treat for quality time with family and friends.”

When stocking up for these Big Night In occasions, healthier sharing options should not be ignored. A top name to consider here is popchips which is rated as the number one Better for You bagged snack brand in the sharing pack format.Coming in at under 100 calories per serving and with a third less fat than the market leader, popchips provides a more permissible snack option without compromising on taste.

Noteworthy here is now more than ever, consumers are looking for products which are considered to offer good value for money, with retailers reporting that 86 per cent of customers are looking for value and deals.

Collins adds, “Our KP Snacks range offers the broadest portfolio of tasty snacks across all segments, with something for everyone and all occasions. From popcorn to nuts to pretzels and, of course, crisps, our range creates value and generates demand by meeting all consumer needs with a wide range of products delivered in all formats (singles, multipacks, sharing) up and down the value spectrum and to suit all pockets.”

Taste is also a key consideration for consumers when looking to buy crisps for social occasions such as Halloween and Bonfire Night. Keeping that in mind, retailers should offer popular brands and flavours in formats suitable for sharing occasions, along with a perfect mix of the latest NPDs.

Well-loved core brands such as Quavers, Wotsits and Monster Munch continue to drive sales in the channel. To add to the fun, PepsiCo has launched a number of taste-led NPD over the last year, including Extra Flamin’ Hot, Walkers x Heinz Limited-Edition Lunch Range and Walkers BBQ Sauce.

Nic Storey, Senior Sales Director, Impulse & Field Sales at PepsiCo, tells Asian Trader, “In March, we launched a three-strong range to the nation’s much loved favourites Doritos, Walkers MAX and Wotsits Crunchy, answering the consumer demand for more varied spicy snacks.”

The Extra Flamin’ Hot range is available in sharing bags and PMPs and the Walkers and Doritos variants are non-HFSS suitable for the growing demand of a healthy snacking range.

Walkers x Heinz Limited-Edition Lunch Range has been launched to help retailers to spruce up the lunchtime occasion. The NPD is available in grab bags, PMP and multipack formats catering to all occasions.

Walkers Smokin’ BBQ Sauce joined the Walkers’ core line-up this August, helping retailers meet shopper preferences for their favourite flavours while encouraging them to trade up with Britain’s most loved crisp brand. The NPD is available in a variety of formats, including a 45g grab bag (RSP: £1.00), 6pk multipack (RSP: £2.00) and 70G PMP (RSP: £1.25).

Alongside taste and the hunt for new flavours, shoppers are also focusing on the health factor and PepsiCo aligns with that trend perfectly.

In April 2022, PepsiCo set out an ambition to make 50 per cent of its snack sales come from healthier alternatives by 2025, with 30 per cent coming from products that do not classify as HFSS and 20 per cent from snacks sold in portions of 100 calories or less.

Storey informs, “We are now over halfway to reaching this goal, after only a year into our initial three-year investment of £35 million to drive product innovation and reformulation. Two-thirds of all new products launched in 2022 were not classified as HFSS, catering to those who are seeking smarter snacking choices.”

Staying true to its mission, PepsiCo launched a new multipack range from Wotsits and Monster Munch which is made with chickpea to offer a source of fibre. Walkers ‘Yummy With’ range is non-HFSS, contains 25 per cent less salt than the average extruded product and are under 100 calories per packet.

Earlier in March, PepsiCo heated up crisp aisles with the launch of our new Extra Flamin’ Hot platform. The new three-strong range adds a deliciously intense twist to the nation’s much loved favourites Doritos, Walkers MAX and Wotsits Crunchy, answering the consumer demand for more varied spicy snacks.

Extra Flamin’ Hot is available to symbols and independent retailers, in sharing bags and PMPs to help retailers tap into the demand for sharing formats that are perfect for Halloween and Bonfire Night occasions.

The new Doritos and Walkers MAX Extra Flamin’ Hot varieties are both non-HFSS, and the existing Flamin’ Hot range across brands such as Monster Munch and Cheetos will continue to be available for shoppers, rebranded as Sweet & Spicy Flamin’ Hot.

Time for chills and thrills

During the days leading to Halloween and Bonfire nights, shoppers will be on the lookout for soft drinks to enhance gatherings at home, whether it’s hosting Halloween parties or enjoying scary movie nights with family and friends. This is why retailers should prioritise stocking top brands that are synonymous with the spooky season.

In 2023, flavoured carbonates contributed 12.5 per cent to the growth of the soft drinks category over Halloween. Fanta led the way, accounting for one in every four flavoured carbonate sales during the Halloween period.

In the words of Amy Burgess, Senior Trade Communications Manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), Fanta, the number one flavoured carbonate brand in GB, is a popular choice to accompany the scary season thanks to its longstanding association with Halloween, driven by engaging campaigns and on-pack activity.

For Halloween 2024, Fanta has rolled out from mid-August a brand-new Beetlejuice-themed limited- edition variant called Fanta Zero Afterlife, along with limited edition packs across the rest of the range, and a disruptive marketing campaign called “Summon What You Wanta”, helping retailers tap into growing demand for flavoured carbonates at Halloween by creating an exciting, theatrical in-store experience for the spooky season

Both Halloween and bonfire nights need something chilled and refreshing.

Burgess advices retailers to focus on key categories such as colas, carbonates and mixers. Coca-Cola is the go-to considering it is the leading soft drinks brand in GB, led by Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, the fastest-growing major cola brand.

Also on the list should be Dr Pepper, the number two flavoured carbonates brands in retail as well as Schweppes, the biggest mixer by volume in GB. Not to forget the new hot-selling product Alcoholic ready-to-drink (ARTD) range.

Burgess tells Asian Trader, “ARTD cocktails are a perfect choice for anyone heading out to enjoy fireworks on Bonfire Night, providing a perfect serve on the go. That includes options like the Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola ARTD range, which has generated nearly £36 million in sales since its launch in March 2023.

“We recently announced the launch of price-marked packs (PMPs) for our Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola ARTD range to help convenience retailers provide visible value to shoppers and drive sales.”

Another excellent choice is Absolut Vodka & SPRITE, which combines the smoothness of premium Absolut Vodka with the refreshing taste of lemon-lime soft drink SPRITE.

Stirring dark spirits

Halloween is no more just a kids’ thing. It is an excuse for adults too to dress up and party. The stores should prep up well in advance to make sure their alcohol section is well stocked to cater to both partygoers and last-minute shoppers.

Halloween also marks the start of chillier times, a perfect time to overhaul the alcohol section.

Priestley from Diageo tells Asian Trader, “During the colder months of the year, dark spirits such as rum and whisky are popular and can be enjoyed in a range of seasonal serves. With this in mind, we suggest that retailers review their rum-based spirit and whisky ranges – ensuring they stock a few of each category at varying price points in order to reach more shoppers.

“Whisky, for example, is becoming more appealing to consumers as people discover more ways to enjoy to enjoy the liquid. The liquid can be enjoyed in many ways including on the rocks, with ice, in cocktails or as a highball serve.”

When it comes to the rum and rum-based spirit category, there has been an abundance of innovation over the years meaning there is an option to suit most flavour preferences. Variety is key to encouraging shoppers to explore the category. So, stocking white, dark and spiced rums and rum-based spirits alongside a few flavoured options will inspire customers to try something new.

Priestley adds, “Captain Morgan tends to perform well over the Halloween period and remains the ‘go-to’ rum-based spirit within the category, with over £2m net value sales last year. The brand has a raft of great-tasting spirits within its portfolio, including Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold and Captain Morgan Black Spiced.”

In order to encourage people to opt for whisky or rum, Priestley suggests placing well-known spirits alongside their varietals which will encourage shoppers to explore more.

Vodka is not a category to be overlooked and should be considered all-year-round. Its versatility enables consumers to easily recreate some of their favourite mixed drinks, recreating pub-like experience at home. With this in mind, it is always worthwhile to include a few well-known vodka options which are likely to be popular amongst all guests at a party.

Smirnoff Red Label, for example, is the number one vodka brand in GB and was worth over £13min the impulse channel in October 2023.

Priestley informs that the brand also has a range of flavoured vodkas as part of its portfolio, including Smirnoff Raspberry Crush, Smirnoff Mango & Passion fruit Twist, Smirnoff Berry Burst and more recently launched Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind – all of which can be used to help elevate even the simplest of serves at home.

Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind, with its Mexican-inspired bottle, featuring a vibrant design bursting with colour and a label that contains phosphorescent ink for a glow in the dark effect, is the perfect accompaniment to Halloween and Bonfire Nights.

Another category not to be missed is tequila. With appetite and interest rising in homemade cocktails, the demand is consistently rising. So, make sure to stock the best ones out there- both in terms of quality and value proposition.

Priestley adds that while the category is growing, to get customer buy-in, retailers will need to educate them on how best to enjoy the liquid, as well as have to ensure tequila options are visible in store.

“This is where social media and clear in-store POS can support. Posting serve suggestions on a social media page can inspire customers to re-create tequila-based serves themselves whilst POS and clear signposting can help customers navigate a drinks range,” Priestley tells Asian Trader.

It’s a season to meet, greet, gather and party. And a good wine collection is always appreciated- be it at the store or at the end user’s home collection.

Apart from regular popular bestselling names, its always a good idea to stock something new and interesting. Wine range by Concha y Toro is a great option here.

Reflecting on what works best in convenenience, Hannah Heimsoth, Category Manager at Concha y Toro UK, tells Asian Trader, “Red wines obviously do well, given the colder weather. Our Diablo range of wines which are aimed at younger adult shoppers are growing at an amazing +52 per cent in convenience (Nielsen, 52w).

“Play on the wine brands which have obvious links to the occasion, such as Casillero del Diablo and Diablo.

“We see Halloween as a major opportunity for the wine category and especially with our strong brands which fit the occasion so well. Retailers should ensure they start stocking up on the key lines early in October.”

Concha y Toro’s fast-growing Diablo brand is introducing new SKUS in response to the great popularity of the wines it has launched in the past couple of years. Retailers should be on the look out for more launches from the maker.

New for Halloween

Halloween is the perfect time to get in the NPDs to drive footfall and excitement among shoppers.

This year Hancock has introduced new exciting products to its popular Halloween range.

Hague points out, “A new addition to the Candy Realms Halloween range is the Petrifying Pumpkins Candy Cup 230g RRP £1.99. The cup is filled with delicious pumpkin mallows and jelly pumpkins and it’s great for Halloween parties or gifting during the spooky season.

“A great value novelty product that is eye-catching on the shelf is the Candy Realms Mallow Stacker which is 27cm tall and retailed for just a pound. This strawberry-flavoured marshmallow pop is in the shape of classic Halloween characters – pumpkin, ghost, monster and a bat.

“Another fun novelty product from Candy Realms is the Alien Balloons with Popping Candy RRP £1.00. The pack contains four sachets of strawberry popping candy and two alien balloons which last over a week once inflated.”

How about some skeleton-shaped treat to add to the fun?

British sweet maker Swizzels has launched new multi-flavoured skeleton-shaped Squashies Squeletons ahead of Halloween, set to help retailers drive seasonal sales this year.

Squashies Squeletons are available in three vibrant skeleton shapes, available in three popular flavours- Sour Apple, Strawberry, and Orange.

Clare Newton, trade marketing manager at Swizzels, said at the time of the launch, “We saw a great opportunity to elevate the category and decided to shake things up with our uniquely shaped Squashies Squeletons. These treats offer sweet fans a unique experience, perfect for those seeking a new flavour and texture adventure this Halloween.”

The leading supplier of Variety Bags will also be offering its popular vegan variety range this Halloween, including the Scrumptious Sweets, Luscious Lollies and the Curious Chews, a great addition to any retailers’ sugar confectionery offering due to their strong shelf visibility and individually wrapped sweets, which are perfect for sharing with trick-or-treaters.

This year’s Halloween range also includes popular themed bags such as Monster Treats, Mummy Mix and Trick or Treat Lolly Mix which has grown by 33 per cent in the market.

For retailers aiming to attract shoppers looking for a popular, shareable option with a variety of individually wrapped sweets, Swizzels’ Sweet Shop Favourites Tub will serve the purpose.

Fresh from its Product of the Year 2024 victory, Fruit-tella Curiosities is returning with a Halloween twist. Now available to buy in store at a “not-so-spooky” price of £1.50 per pack, the HFSS-compliant jellies are made with 30 per cent reduced sugar, real fruit juice, and natural colourings and flavours – all the attributes that make the core Fruit-tella range a family favourite.

Fruit-tella is also launching its first-ever Halloween-themed product, Out At Night Jellies. The multipack format features bats, owls, and spiders in orange, blackberry, and apple flavours, designed to appeal to families.

Out at Night range will also be available in a bag-in-bag multipack format making it easy for parents to provide fun, safe and tasty treats for children, which are sure to be a grocery aisle staple this Halloween.

Roberts from Perfetti Van Melle says, “The HFSS-compliant jellies contain the same natural goodness, fruity taste, interactive, scan-able back-of-pack, and quirky charm that consumers have grown to know and love, and now have the added bonus of being perfectly portioned into individual bags that are ideal for on-the-go, as well as sharing, with major seasonal appeal.”

Spook them in

Its a season of pure fun. Let your creative juices flow and get involved with community at multiple levels to make the best of this Halloween time. Nothing grabs attention like a well-crafted Halloween display. Use spooky-themed props like fake cobwebs, skeletons, and jack-o-lanterns to bring the display to life and add some festive charm.

Use your store windows and floor space to showcase seasonal products. Consider having a dedicated section with all the Halloween essentials—sweets, snacks, decorations, and costumes—so customers can easily find what they need.

Gemma Allanson, National Field Sales Manager at World of Sweets, too vouches for Halloween-themed displays in-store.

“Due to the impact of HFSS legislation and the restrictions on promoting products high in sugar, shoppers are going to see Halloween sweets and chocolate feature less in store. This is why the seasonal aisle is increasingly more important,” says Allanson.

“Retailers are encouraged to group together their seasonal products and create eye-catching Halloween displays where shoppers can find everything they need for the spooky holiday.

“We’re offering great seasonal merchandising solutions that capture the attention of shoppers within a busy retail environment. Shelf edge strips are a popular and low-cost option and Bonds of London offers beautifully designed, colourful Halloween 1m shelf edge labels that are sure to make the seasonal display stand out in store,” she adds.

Navigating shoppers is the key so it’s important to use clear signage and POS.

Halloween parties, for both adults and children, mean a surge in demand for snacks and beverages. Special offers on multipacks or themed party packs can boost basket sizes, making it easier for shoppers to grab everything they need in one trip.

Bundling Halloween items together is an excellent way to increase the average basket size. For example, create a “Halloween Party Pack” that includes sweets, crisps, drinks, and paper plates. Or offer a “Trick-or-Treat Bundle” that combines popular sweets at a discount. This encourages customers to buy in larger quantities without having to shop around.

Storey from PepsiCo vouches for cross category merchandising of snacks with soft drinks, for example, is a keyway to increase basket spend during these occasions, especially as 84 per cent of night in occasions are enjoyed with beverages.

Also, stocking pumpkins around Halloween is a must. Position them prominently outside the store or near the entrance to grab attention. Offering small carving kits alongside pumpkins can boost sales even further.

With a little thought, convenience stores can make the best use of festive rush to emerge as last-minute savior. And one of the best opportunities of the year for convenience retailers to ignite sales of matches and lighters.

Republic Technologies (UK) Ltd says retailers can easily capitalise on the surge in consumer demand for these high-margin products, by giving more in-store focus to what they should view as must-have seasonal lines and siting them amongst seasonal displays.

“It’s the time of year when people want to make the most of family celebrations. Millions of households are in need of a lighter or a box of matches, whether it’s to light a candle to bring a scary pumpkin to life, or to enjoy a fireworks display in the garden,” says Gavin Anderson, Sales and Marketing Director at Republic Technologies (UK) Ltd.

“We also know that many households look to their local convenience store to provide the items they need to really make the most of Halloween and Bonfire Night. This is an ideal opportunity for stores to boost basket spend by promoting matches and lighters.”

And don’t forget to use your store’s social media channels.

Encourage your staff to get into the Halloween spirit by dressing up in costumes. This adds a fun, welcoming atmosphere to the store and makes the shopping experience memorable for customers.

With the rise of “just in time” shopping habits, many people leave their Halloween prep until the very last minute. Convenience stores are in a prime position to cater to these customers.

A Howling Opportunity for Sales

Last-minute costume seekers are likely to pop into their nearest convenience store looking for quick fixes.

Stocking up on simple costume accessories—think face paints, masks, or themed headbands—can make your store a go-to for busy parents or party-goers in a rush. Even a small selection of Halloween-themed t-shirts or hats can add a nice touch for procrastinators in need of a costume on the fly.

Halloween is more than just a fun holiday; it’s a golden opportunity for convenience stores to boost their sales.

With UK consumers spending billions on costumes, sweets, and decorations, Halloween is a golden (or should we say “orange”) opportunity to boost sales. So, embrace the eerie atmosphere—deck out the store, stock those shelves, and be the go-to haunt for all things Halloween! After all, why let the big shops have all the fun? Embrace the spirit, and watch your tills ring.