Halloween creeps closer, and this year it’s extra eerie because it lands on Friday, like the infamous Friday 13th! Haunted pumpkins, mysterious treats, and unexpected scares are everywhere.
Brands are turning the thrill of the season into loyalty magic, surprising customers and keeping them coming back for more.
This newsletter will explore the spooky side of loyalty with:
- Tricks and treats in Halloween campaigns that boost engagement
- Loyalty programs turning seasonal fun into lasting habits
- How Halloween is growing into a global loyalty opportunity
- Creative rewards that delight customers and leave them wanting more
Prepare for a month of loyalty, surprises, and a little Halloween fright!
Halloween has grown into a powerhouse season for consumer engagement and brand loyalty. Spending is no longer limited to candy and costumes! Home décor, experiences, and digital content now play a major role in how people celebrate.
The spending projected at 13.1 billion is a 32% jump from pre-pandemic levels, even as people spend slightly less per person compared to last year. It’s clear that consumers still want to celebrate, but they’re looking for ways to do it smartly.
- 57% of people craft or thrift! Beetlejuice, Mario, Minions, and punny adult outfits are a hit.
- Vintage finds, black paint, and DIY accents make spooky setups without splurging.
- Bulk buys and online deals keep treats affordable.
- Use credit cards for extra cash back or points, and pay off balances!
Turns out, creativity and cost-consciousness are now part of the spooky season’s vibe. DIY costumes, upcycled decorations, and bulk candy purchases aren’t just eco-friendly, they’re saving wallets while keeping the fun alive!
Haunt Their Wishlist: Rewards So Precise They’re Creepy
This Halloween, while haunted houses and spooky treats grab attention, savvy brands are giving their customers something extra: thoughtful rewards that keep them coming back.
In our blog, we explored three types of coupon codes that drive repeat purchases and show appreciation, transforming seasonal excitement into long-term loyalty.
- Entice customers with deals like HALLOWEEN15 to spark unplanned purchases.
- Reward loyal shoppers with surprises they can’t resist.
- Add an element of chance and fun, just like spinning a haunted wheel of fortune!
We break down when and how to use each type, which businesses benefit most, and tips for tracking performance to measure actual impact.
“Whether you’re planning your next seasonal campaign or looking to strengthen your loyalty program, these strategies show how a little treat can go a long way.”
- The Kaizen Team
Read the full blog 👉 Drive Repeat Purchases and Show Appreciation
NEWS FROM LOYALTY WORLD
- Disney Asks ‘Trick or Treat’: Halloween as a Membership Experience
Every fall, Disney transforms its parks into Halloween wonderlands, and this year is no exception. From Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in one of the most spooky places in the U.S.A., Orlando, the brand blends seasonal entertainment with exclusive loyalty perks.
To enhance the experience, Disney uses three key strategies. Even if the approach changes every year, the basis remains the same.
- Event-driven loyalty meets customer demands even on Halloween.
Ticketed events create scarcity and excitement, making membership feel like a gateway to can’t-miss experiences.
- Seasonal tiered storytelling, exclusive to hardcore loyals!
Disney infuses loyalty into narrative. Guests don’t just attend a party, they step into a seasonal story with characters, décor, and themed treats. The more engaged you are with the brand, the more they reward you!
- Selling ‘created-memories’ merch, from childhood to adulthood!
Disney connects kids through beloved shows and lets adults relive the magic of their childhood. Limited-edition Halloween merch, released early for loyal members, turns souvenirs into symbols of belonging.
Disney is actively creating ritual and recognition. The results? Sold-out events, surges in merchandise sales, and loyalty reinforced by emotional experiences only Disney can deliver.
Disney proves that loyalty doesn’t have to hide behind points systems. Sometimes, the best reward is simply the right to belong to the story, and no brand tells a Halloween story better than Disney.
https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/34-bone-chilling-disney-halloween-items-youll-want-in-2024/
- McDonald’s Boo Buckets: Nostalgia, Collectables & Seasonal Loyalty Magic
Every autumn, McDonald’s transforms a simple Happy Meal into a Halloween event with its iconic Boo Buckets.
First launched in 1986 and revived in recent years, these limited-edition pails are more than containers, they’re emotional collectables that connect generations, delight kids, and spark nostalgia for adults who grew up with them.
In 2024, McDonald’s released four monster-themed buckets in white, orange, green, and a new blue design.
Each came with personalizable stickers, allowing customers to make their pails unique. Available with any Happy Meal during the Halloween period, the buckets encouraged early visits while supplies lasted, turning scarcity into excitement and creating a sense of urgency.
Why does it work for loyalty?
- It’s nostalgic and taps into emotional loyalty!
- Limited designs offer loyalty status, and collectibility makes customers anticipate the new release!
- It becomes a Halloween ritual which engages the audience!
- Limited supply and new designs drive repeat visits, increase online visibility, and enhance mobile activity!
McDonald’s 2025 Boo Buckets are set to drop from October 21 to November 3. Don’t forget to get yours!
https://foodchainmagazine.com/mcdonalds-boo-buckets-return-for-halloween-2024-with-new-designs/
- Amazon’s Prime Perks: Halloween Comes Early
Halloween shopping has changed as discussed above. Families are moving away from random, store-bought costumes and leaning into family-friendly DIY projects.
From craft supplies to last-minute décor, shoppers rely on its fast delivery and endless catalogue, making loyalty spike during October. Amazon is well aware of this shift and doesn’t stay silent.
In 2024 and 2025, the brand tied Prime Big Deal Days directly to Halloween prep, offering members early access to seasonal must-haves, such as costumes, decorations, and themed bundles.
Beyond discounts, Amazon makes Halloween fun and engaging through blogs, spooky movie reviews, curated playlists, and Ring Video Doorbell features for tricks and pranks, helping families plan memorable celebrations.
By blending urgency, convenience, and exclusivity, Amazon transformed Halloween from just another shopping season into a moment that deepens loyalty, turning Prime into the backbone of family traditions.
https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/amazon-announces-prime-big-deal-days-2024-dates
TIP OF THE MONTH
Loyalty Tip of the Month: Loyalty Grows When It’s Shared
Just like a candle lights another without losing its flame, loyalty spreads when people pass it on. In a community-driven program, your most loyal members become advocates, mentoring, sharing tips, and guiding others along the way.
This peer-to-peer energy creates momentum that feels almost magical, like one spark setting off a chain reaction. Think of it as the spirit of Halloween: a gathering where stories, traditions, and excitement are best enjoyed together.
By celebrating contributions, rewarding supportive actions, and providing members with opportunities to share their voices, you transform individual loyalty into a collective force.
The result is a program that feels alive, sustained not only by your brand but by the community that surrounds it.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7376198914166743040
INSIGHT OF THE MONTH
- Micro-Anticipation & Self-Expression Drive Halloween Loyalty!
This Halloween, consumers are starting their preparations weeks in advance, with searches for costumes, DIY décor, and themed events spiking as early as late August. Brands that engage early capture attention before competition peaks.
- 36% of buyers begin shopping in September, while another 39.5% act in the first half of October.
- Gen Z and Millennials focus on experiences and costumes that reflect their identities, pop culture references, or humour.
- Classic horror, retro references, and themed drinks or events create emotional hooks that encourage repeat visits and deepen brand connection.
Brands that align campaigns with early planning, DIY creativity, and personal expression don’t just sell products, they become part of the Halloween experience itself, strengthening loyalty in a crowded seasonal market.
Ready for Halloween 2025? Early Engagement = Big Returns!
- Kaizen Autumn Spotlight: Tricks Don’t Build Loyalty, Treats Do!
A seasonal moment can be more than just a promotion; it can be a memory! When customers stumble upon a small surprise, an exclusive perk, or a thoughtful gesture, loyalty shifts from being a program to becoming something personal.
Autumn makes these sparks even more powerful, wrapping them in nostalgia and warmth.
This season, let every interaction count, because the details are what turn fleeting campaigns into lasting connections.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7375789614046978048
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