It’s All Hallows Eve, and people across the country are excited to celebrate the holiday tomorrow. Sales for this year are predicted to exceed $12.2 billion, up from $10.6 billion in 2022.
According to a report from the National Retail Federation, “More Americans than ever will be reaching into their wallets and spending a record amount of money to celebrate Halloween this year.”
The candy category continues to be a sweet bet for convenience retailers. “Candy was the No. 6 category in terms of gross margin contribution last year, and it’s easy to see why,” said Jayme Gough, research manager, NACS. “It’s a highly impulsive category, especially when consumers choose to indulge, making it a profitable basket builder.”
C-stores and QSRs are taking advantage of the Halloween hype with a variety of special offers for customers and rewards members.
Along with 7-Eleven’s limited-edition Mountain Dew Pitch Black Slurpee, loyalty members can snag standard-size Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Starburst, Nerds Rope and more for only $1. Also, on October 30 and 31, rewards members can buy any large pizza and get another large pizza for free.
Wawa released a limited-time-only Wicked Apple Recharger for guests to enjoy this spooky season. The company has also released limited-edition Wawa merch, including a Wawa Pumpkin Szn crewneck and a glow-in-the-dark Wawa mummy t-shirt.
Pennsylvania-based Sheetz announced three new limited-time drinks for Halloween, inviting customers to pick their potion. The LTOs include the Vanilla Thriller Cold Brew, which is a cold brew coffee with salted caramel and spiced brown sugar; the Candy Bag Milkshake, which is a salted caramel milkshake with caramel, chocolate and peanut butter swirls topped with whipped cream and cookies and cream; and the Transfuzion Refresher, a white chocolate raspberry layered seltzer.
Krispy Kreme partnered with Warner Bros. to offer the all-new Scooby-Doo Halloween dozen. Additionally, customers who wear a costume to participating locations on Halloween get a free doughnut of their choice.
The Boorito is returning to Chipotle, with the company offering a national $6 digital entree offer from 3 p.m. local time to close on Halloween night for Chipotle rewards members.
For Halloween, Grubhub is also offering special deals to Grubhub+ members. From October 26 to November 1, consumers can get a candy discount of $10 off orders of $20 or more, as well as deals at Papa John’s, Insomnia Cookies and Burger King for pre- and post-celebration treats.
Papa John’s announced the return of its Jack-O’-Lantern Pizza, available until Halloween night. The thin-crust pizza is shaped like a pumpkin and features a pepperoni smile and pepperoni and olive eyes.
Seasonal sales offer opportunity. Check out the latest Convenience Corner blog, “It's the Season for Seasonal Sales.”