Halloween 2025: How Retailers Can Use Personalization and AI to Cast a Spell on Shoppers

Halloween isn’t just about costumes and candy anymore, it’s one of the most profitable seasonal moments in retail. According to the National Retail Federation, consumer spending on Halloween hit a record $12.2 billion in 2023, with digital channels driving a major share of purchases.

For retailers, the challenge isn’t whether customers are shopping, it’s how to stand out in a crowded digital space.

The answer? Personalization, AI-powered video commerce, and conversational AI in eCommerce. These tools transform Halloween promotions into immersive shopping experiences that delight customers and drive measurable results.

1. Personalizing Digital Experiences With Shoppable Video

Static product pages can’t recreate the magic of in-store discovery. This Halloween, think of your PDPs as mini-websites, complete with interactive videos, AI-powered Smart FAQs, and real-time product recommendations.

• Shoppable video in retail allows customers to explore costumes, décor, or beauty products in action.
• Smart overlays like “Add to Cart” buttons keep purchases one click away.
• Personalization ensures each visitor sees recommendations tailored to their browsing behavior.

A study from McKinsey shows that 71% of consumers expect personalized interactions, and 76% get frustrated when this doesn’t happen. Short-form and shoppable video commerce help meet this expectation, while reducing returns and boosting loyalty.

2. Conversational AI as Your Virtual Halloween Guide

Picture this: a shopper lands on your homepage asking, “What’s the best family costume for under $100?” or on a PDP asking, “Does this decoration work outdoors?”

This is where AI-powered shopping assistants shine.

• Homepages → spark discovery (“Show me trending costumes this season”).
  
• Category pages → help narrow choices (“Which makeup kits are best for sensitive skin?”).
  
• Product detail pages (PDPs) → drive conversions by answering last-mile purchase questions.

According to PwC, 52% of consumers want brands to offer more human-like, conversational interactions online. Conversational AI delivers that, ensuring 24/7 engagement while reducing cart abandonment.

3. Community-Driven Campaigns and Influencer Magic

Halloween is inherently social, people love to share costumes, makeup looks, and décor. Retailers can amplify this behavior by:

• Running UGC contests around spooky costumes or pumpkin carving.
• Partnering with micro-influencers, who deliver up to 60% higher engagement rates than macro-creators (Saleshub).
  Embedding influencer-led tutorials as shoppable video directly on PDPs.

This blend of influencer collaboration and peer-driven recommendations strengthens trust and enhances social commerce engagement.

4. Smarter Seasonal Bundles With AI-Powered Recommendations

Halloween lends itself perfectly to AI-driven product recommendations:

• A shopper buying face paint could be shown brushes, stencils, and makeup remover.
• Decor buyers might see fog machines, lights, or extension cords.
  Families shopping for candy could unlock bundle discounts based on volume.
  

This isn’t just upselling, it’s personalizing digital experiences in ways that feel helpful, not pushy. According to Salesforce, retailers using AI-driven personalization see a 25% revenue increase from recommendations.

5. Measuring What Truly Matters

Seasonal campaigns generate buzz, but smart retailers measure how shoppable video, conversational AI in retail, and UGC actually impact the bottom line:

• Engagement: completion rates of Halloween-themed interactive videos.
• Conversion: how Smart FAQs reduce bounce rates on PDPs.
• Loyalty: repeat purchases after interactive campaigns.
  

The key is closing the loop, turning engagement signals into future personalization strategies, ensuring each campaign is smarter than the last.

Final Takeaway

Halloween 2025 is the year to move beyond static campaigns. Shoppers expect personalization, interactivity, and conversational AI across every step of the journey, from homepage discovery to PDP conversions.

With Firework’s AI-powered video commerce platform, you can:

• Launch shoppable video
  
• Embed Smart FAQs
  
• Deploy AI-driven personalization at scale

This Halloween, don’t just market. Enchant. Book a demo with Firework today.