9 Labor Day Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses

Jul 24, 2024

Get ready with these unbeatable ideas:

Run Labor Day Promotions
Host an Event
Bid Summer Farewell
Have a Sidewalk Sale
Partner With Neighboring Businesses
Celebrate the Beginning of Fall
Plan Back to School Promotions
Focus Your Efforts Online
Run a Contest

As we start to welcome the beginning of fall, Labor Day marks one last celebration of summer fun. Whether spent relaxing at the beach or enjoying a final barbecue of the year, many Americans use this national holiday as an excuse to soak up the last of the sunshine.

Along with barbecues and outdoor gatherings, Americans also look forward to Labor Day promotions from their favorite stores. Hosting an exciting event or offering exclusive promotions and discounts can be a great way to entice new customers to your business and boost your sales this September.

To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of the best Labor Day marketing ideas for small businesses that are guaranteed to help you make the most of the big day.

1. Run Labor Day Promotions

In 2019, a survey conducted by TopCashback.com revealed that 90% of American adults planned to shop for Labor Day deals. ¹ Many brands come up with Labor Day sale ideas and use them to their advantage by running flash sales across the weekend to appeal directly to these customers. If you don’t do the same, your business could risk falling behind.

You don’t have to be a retailer to run Labor Day promotions. In fact, all kinds of businesses can get involved. For example, if you run a local bakery, you could offer a discount on Labor Day cupcakes. Or if you run a beauty salon you could run a sale on a popular treatment. The opportunities are endless so don’t be afraid to have fun with it!

Top tip: We recommend running social media ads and Labor Day email marketing campaigns to build anticipation before the big day.

2. Host an Event

With the sun still shining people will be desperate to enjoy as many outings as they can before the cold nights draw in. Help to fill that need by hosting an outdoor summer event for your community.

Rustle up a delicious BBQ or, if cooking isn’t your thing, hire a musician or live band to keep guests entertained. For added fun, encourage guests to come along in fancy dress and host a competition for the best dressed.

Top tip: Entice customers with freebies and giveaways, such as a complimentary drink upon arrival.

3. Bid Summer Farewell

Mark the transition of the seasons by throwing a mega summer clearance sale. Run special offers and discounts on final summer stock. Or run a giveaway that offers customers one last taste of summer like a tropical spa treatment, tapas for two or a free spray tan.

Top tip: Customers love a good deal so make sure you tempt them with exclusive one-off savings and offers.

4. Have a Sidewalk Sale

Not only do sidewalk sales increase foot traffic; they can also help free your inventory of any end of season stock. Before you get started make sure you check with your landlord and the city permit department to see if you need a permit. Once you’ve received the go ahead don’t forget to promote your sidewalk sale on social media with a countdown to the big day.

Top tip: Have music playing outside your venue and decorate with banners and balloons to attract passers-by.

5. Partner With Neighboring Businesses

A lot of neighboring businesses will also be looking for innovative ways to cash in on Labor Day weekend too, so why not join forces? Collaborating on Labor Day marketing ideas and partnering with your neighbors will help keep all your cash registers flowing. For example, you could entice customers to the area with a ‘savings passport’ that features exclusive discounts from several local businesses.

Top tip: Create buzz on social media and offer a secret code that will give customers an extra discount or a freebie if they come along.

6. Celebrate the Beginning of Fall

Instead of celebrating the end of summer, why not focus on marketing strategies for fall? Although Labor Day may seem a bit early for pumpkin spice to some of us, you’ll certainly have customers who have been waiting all year for this moment!

Top tip: Give customers a sneak peak of your seasonal menu or have them sample an autumn inspired beverage.

7. Plan Back to School Promotions

Although this one isn’t specifically Labor Day related, September marks the beginning of the academic year and no matter what kind of business you own, there are plenty of ways you can play on back-to-school promotions.

Offer students a deal on back-to-school haircuts, or one-off savings on electric goods such as laptops and computers.

Top tip: Run the deal exclusively for just a few days in September to create a sense of urgency amongst customers.

8. Focus Your Efforts Online

The COVID-19 pandemic has been pushing more customers online, with 62% of U.S shoppers admitting they shop more online now than they did before the pandemic. ² Given the total transformation of the retail landscape, customers will be scouring the internet for deals and promotions now more than ever. The bottom line is, if you’re not marketing your Labor Day promotions online, you’re leaving potential customers behind.

Google and Facebook ads are a great way to get your products directly in front of customers. Or if you’re hosting an event you may want to focus your attention on social media marketing to generate buzz online. For example, you could use Facebook Live to broadcast your event.

Top tip: Know your target audience and focus your Labor Day marketing efforts on the platforms they are most likely to engage with.

9. Run a Contest

From simple like and share social media competitions to product giveaways, give your customers something to get excited about this Labor Day by launching a contest.

Think about what your customers would consider a worthy win. A complimentary meal for two at your restaurant? Or perhaps a free beauty service treatment of their choice? Launch the competition at least a month in advance and announce the winner on the big day.

Top tip: The more you think outside the box the more excitement you are likely to generate among your customers!

Sure, increasing your engagement and attracting new customers with these Labor Day promotions is great, but do you want to be able to do this all year round? Become a Groupon Merchant today and get exclusive access to expert tips and advice.

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