Beyond the costumes

As retailers of all sizes gear up for the bustling sales events of Q4 – Halloween, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas, and New Year – the season brings unparalleled opportunities to connect with customers. But it’s not just about discounts.

A steady trend shows that major retailers’ mince pies and other festive items are appearing on shelves earlier and earlier each year, signalling the beginning of a long, commercially fruitful holiday season. With the phenomenon of this ‘Christmas Creep’ pushing holiday displays and merchandise ever earlier into the year, brands are given a unique opportunity to engage customers way ahead of time and maximise their seasonal influence.

So, in this ever-growing and busy season, how can brands cut through the noise of the holiday season, beyond surface-level costumes, and remain front-of-mind for both trusted media and their customers?

End-of-Year Insights & Trend Reports

Position your brand as an industry thought leader by releasing an end-of-year insights report or trend forecast. Share valuable data on industry shifts, consumer behaviours, and predictions for the coming year. This can be distributed to media, clients, and prospects to showcase your expertise and insights, keeping your brand relevant and top-of-mind as businesses look ahead to 2025 planning.

Influencer Collaborations

Extend reach and create authentic connections by partnering with influencers. From Instagram takeovers to sponsored blog posts, influencers can craft engaging, holiday-themed content that resonates with audiences. Creative, genuine content shows products in a festive light and can attract consumers who value recommendations from trusted personalities.

Holiday-Themed Events

Enhance customer loyalty by hosting holiday-themed events, either in-store or virtually. These events can create a unique shopper experience, offer exclusive deals, and provide a space for direct interaction with your brand. Such experiences foster a memorable connection with key customers or media and illustrate the genuine value you put on these relationships, incentivising them to invest more energy into the brand.

Seasonal Gifting and Relationship Building

Strengthen ties with key media partners by incorporating holiday gifting into your PR strategy. Thoughtful, festive gifts can show appreciation and foster goodwill, making your brand memorable during the holiday season. This act of giving back not only acknowledges the support of media allies but also keeps your brand top-of-mind as they cover seasonal trends and products.

By implementing targeted, holiday-themed activations, brands can rise above the festive clutter and connect with their audience in more meaningful ways. With each holiday, brands have a chance to deepen customer relationships, increase sales, and elevate brand understanding. In a season marked by festive trends, these strategic communications aren’t just about selling – they’re about creating lasting connections and will make your brand a holiday staple for years to come.