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Hey there! October’s here, and you know what that means… it’s time to dust off those spooky decorations, carve some pumpkins, and dive into the world of tricks and treats! But Halloween isn’t just for haunted houses or costume parties. It’s a golden opportunity for businesses to tap into “moment-based marketing” and connect with their audience in fun, creative ways.
Moment-based marketing refers to leveraging specific events or trends—like Halloween—to create relevant and engaging content.
It’s all about riding the wave of what’s trending right now!!!
Whether it’s quirky memes, themed products, or festive discounts, this strategy makes your business feel timely, relatable, and part of the conversation.
Let’s unwrap (like candy!) 12 Halloween-themed marketing ideas perfect for Indian small businesses. With the increasing popularity of Halloween parties in metro cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi, these ideas can give your business the festive boost it needs!
Start a challenge! For example, ask your followers to post their scariest Halloween costumes using a specific hashtag. Incentivize the challenge with prizes—like gift vouchers or free products.
Introduce flash sales with eerie names like “Ghost of a Deal” or “Trick-or-Treat Offers”. Use countdown timers to create urgency and excitement.
Give your products a spooky makeover. If you sell food items, introduce pumpkin-shaped packaging or eerie colour schemes. Even simple ghost-themed wrapping for e-commerce shipments can create an experience.
Organize an online event with spooky games, quizzes, or DIY costume competitions. Offer small prizes or exclusive discount codes to attendees.
Join hands with neighbourhood cafés or pubs hosting Halloween-themed events. Offer discounts to customers who show your business’s coupon at the venue.
Combine complementary products into themed bundles. For instance, if you own a bakery, offer a “Boo Box” with cupcakes, cookies, and spooky-themed treats.
Participate in or create a pop-up market featuring spooky themes. Small businesses like florists, candle makers, and artisanal product sellers can benefit from high footfall events in festive areas.
Sell mystery boxes where customers won’t know what’s inside—could be your best-selling products, samples, or quirky Halloween-themed goodies. Label them as “trick” or “treat” boxes for extra fun.
Use Halloween to create fun and engaging content across blogs, social media, or email newsletters. For instance, post about the “Top 5 Halloween Myths Debunked” or “How to Throw a Budget-Friendly Halloween Party.”
If your business is in retail or hospitality, introduce immersive experiences. Haunted café nights, Halloween photo booths, or costume rentals can attract customers looking for unique festive activities.
E-commerce businesses can offer exclusive Halloween coupons, accessible only through special landing pages with eerie themes.
Organize a QR code treasure hunt where customers find clues at partner stores or restaurants, leading to a final spooky reward. This strategy boosts engagement with other local businesses while enhancing brand visibility.
One standout example of a successful Halloween-themed campaign in India is Hershey’s #HersheyliciousHalloween.
With the growing acceptance of Halloween among younger audiences, Hershey India aimed to familiarize consumers with the festival through engaging and festive strategies.
The campaign featured a playful transformation of Hershey’s social media presence, including spooky content and festive visuals. At its heart was a digital film that told the story of a young boy’s Halloween experience, blending emotions and humour.
To drive engagement, the campaign also launched a contest called “Voice the Hershey’s Monsters,” where participants could remix a branded reel by adding creative voiceovers. Winners received gift hampers and discount coupons, making the campaign both interactive and rewarding.
Hershey’s campaign successfully resonated with Gen Z and urban millennials, leveraging the excitement around Halloween while aligning with its brand message of “Celebrating Togetherness.”
This approach demonstrated how global festivities can be localized creatively for an Indian audience, especially between larger celebrations like Diwali and Christmas.
This campaign shows the potential for Halloween-themed marketing to attract consumers by tapping into emerging micro-occasions. Such initiatives can help businesses stand out by connecting with audiences in novel ways during seasonal windows.
Aside from Hershey’s #HersheyliciousHalloween campaign, several other Halloween-themed marketing initiatives have shown promise in India, especially among restaurants, cafes, and bars leveraging this growing trend.
Many restaurants and pubs in metro cities have embraced Halloween as an opportunity to boost engagement. Successful strategies include:
Venues like Bar 404 introduced special Halloween cocktails, using playful elements like grenadine for a “bloody” effect and dry ice for smoky drinks. Creating spooky dish names and decorating with pumpkins, skeletons, and cobwebs helps establishments stand out during October.
Restaurants have hosted pumpkin carving competitions, costume contests (including pet-themed ones), and horror movie nights. These events draw crowds, encouraging participation from both families and young professionals looking for fun experiences.
Some venues collaborate with nearby haunted houses or costume shops to offer bundled deals. For example, customers might receive discounts for a haunted attraction with a restaurant receipt, boosting traffic for both businesses.
Trick-or-treat events at cafes or restaurants help attract families. Some establishments hand out branded treats, providing a friendly way to introduce new patrons to their space and offerings.
These examples show that Halloween-themed marketing campaigns in India are becoming more popular, especially in urban areas.
Restaurants and businesses that creatively align their offerings with the Halloween spirit not only attract more foot traffic but also create memorable customer experiences. With strategic planning, small businesses in India can capitalize on this emerging trend to engage new audiences and boost their brand presence.
If you own a cafe or a restaurant… grab the opportunity right now and scare your competitors with your innovative marketing strategies!
Halloween is all about fun, creativity, and imagination—elements that resonate well with audiences, especially the younger crowd in urban India.
A themed campaign makes your business feel fresh, engaging, and culturally connected. It also taps into the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), a powerful psychological driver that encourages customers to participate and purchase.
Even though Halloween isn’t as mainstream across all parts of India, it’s gaining traction each year, just like Valentine’s Day and Christmas did over time. Businesses that embrace these moments build stronger brand recall and loyalty by staying culturally relevant.
Halloween in India is not an unfamiliar topic!
With Halloween fast becoming an exciting micro-occasion in India, it’s time to get your business in the spooky spirit.
It can be through creative campaigns, themed product bundles, community engagement, or anything… the key is to have fun with your marketing. Use these strategies to boost your brand presence and scare up some sales this season!
Make this October your business’s best yet…
After all, when it comes to business… a little trickery never hurts anyone!
Happy Halloween and happy marketing!
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