Costume Shops Win or Lose in Three Weeks
Costume sales are among the most seasonal in retail. Most shoppers buy in the last fortnight, many wait until the final weekend, and everything left on 1 November is clearance. A coupon that brings people through the door earlier helps stock move at a better price and spreads the rush. This coupon is designed for that job, with a friendly cast of kids in costume and a very plain offer.
Orange Costume Coupon With Four Cartoon Kids
The coupon is 6 x 3 inches in landscape. The background is a warm orange with darker swirls and a pale moon on the right. Four cartoon children pose together: a boy in a vampire cape and collar, a girl in a purple dress and witch hat holding a broom, a pirate with a cutlass and an eye patch, and another young witch with an orange and black striped hat carrying a pumpkin bucket.
On the left, Halloween is written in a flowing dark red script above COSTUME DISCOUNT COUPON in black capitals. A large dark red 20 stands beside a small GET tag, a percent sign and OFF, with YOUR NEXT COSTUME PURCHASE! below. In the lower left, a rounded box shows USE CODE BOO20, and a line says Valid on all Halloween costumes and accessories. Offer expires: October 31, 20XX. A small white QR code tile sits at the bottom right. The type is Alex Brush with Barlow.
Turn the Code Into a Tracking Tool
The code BOO20 does two things. It tells the cashier which discount to apply, and it tells you where the sale came from. If you print different coupons for different places, change the code for each one: BOO20SCHOOL for flyers sent to schools, BOO20MALL for coupons handed out in the shopping centre. At the end of the season, count the codes and see which place worked.
Edits You Must Not Skip
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| 20XX in the date | It is a placeholder year and must be replaced |
| BOO20 | Keep in step with your till code |
| QR code | It is a picture and must be replaced or removed |
| Costumes and accessories | Add exclusions such as wigs or sale items |
Child Friendly Wording
Because the coupon features children, parents are the audience. Short, plain phrases work best: “20% off your next costume,” “bring this coupon to the till.” Avoid complicated conditions. If there are restrictions, put them in one line at the bottom.
Printing and Display
The orange background prints well on bright white 200 to 250 gsm card stock. Print a test to check that the oranges are warm rather than muddy. Keep a stack by the till and a framed copy near the costume aisle. Three coupons fit on a letter sheet when stacked in one column.
Matching the Offer to Real Stock
A costume discount only works if the shelves are full. Before the coupon goes out, check your stock of popular sizes and the accessories that go with them, such as wigs, makeup and capes. If supplies run low, add “while stocks last” to the terms. Customers forgive limits much more easily than empty racks.
For other seasonal offers, see the Halloween party supplies coupon and the trick-or-treat candy coupon. More are in coupons and discount vouchers.
