Halloween isn’t just about costumes, candy, and spooky fun; it’s one of the most active shopping seasons in the U.S. Consumers are on the hunt for costumes, decorations, candy, and party supplies, making October a prime time to engage with your audience. From early planners to last-minute shoppers, activity stays high throughout the month, creating the perfect opportunity for eCommerce apps to connect with users, boost conversions, and set the stage for the holiday season and beyond.

With the right campaigns, seasonal creatives, and smart audience targeting, apps can turn the Halloween buzz into real results, mixing festive fun with smart strategy to make every campaign count.

Halloween captivates both kids and adults, and Americans spend significantly on making the holiday memorable. Each year, around $11 billion is spent on costumes, decorations, and candy. Many shoppers plan their costumes weeks in advance, while some wait until the last minute. Costumes aren’t just for kids; adults and even pets join in, adding to the festive spirit.

Halloween is one of the most-purchased-for holidays in the U.S., with more than 90 percent of consumers typically buying something to celebrate and participating in festivities, enjoying dressing up, spooky parties, scary movies, pumpkin carving, and trick-or-treating. Spending habits may vary by generation, but almost everyone who celebrates makes a purchase, highlighting Halloween’s strong commercial potential.

Early October is the perfect time to launch campaigns, capture attention, and tap into the excitement of Halloween shoppers. Keep reading to discover how to make the most of the season.

Source: Statista

To make the most of Halloween, apps should focus on creative, timely, and engaging campaigns.

• Use seasonal creatives. Use Halloween-inspired visuals and immersive, exclusive designs.
• Target the right audience, such as families, past holiday shoppers, and users interested in Halloween.
• Time campaigns strategically. Launch early to reach planners and run last-minute pushes for late buyers.
• Highlight exclusive offers. Flash sales, bundles, or limited-stock items can drive conversions while keeping the Halloween spirit alive.
• Engage users in-app. Seasonal discounts, personalized recommendations, gamified features like spin-the-wheel rewards, and Halloween-themed challenges keep users coming back.
• Track meaningful metrics. Go beyond installs to monitor purchases, retention, and engagement, optimizing campaigns for real impact.

Halloween in the U.S. is both festive and highly commercial. By combining well-targeted campaigns, seasonal creatives, and engaging in-app experiences, eCommerce apps can capture attention, drive meaningful engagement, and build user loyalty.

With Smadex’s expertise in programmatic advertising and advanced targeting, apps can scale campaigns efficiently, reach the right audiences, and maximize performance throughout the season. Halloween offers a unique chance to engage users with seasonal campaigns, increase conversions, and set the stage for a strong holiday shopping period.

Ready to make this Halloween your most engaging season yet? Reach the right users at the right time and turn Halloween excitement into real results with Smadex. Contact us!