Halloween: Capture Every Sale with the Right Payment Tools
Halloween has become much more than just an evening of candy and costumes. In Canada, this holiday now generates billions of dollars in revenue and completely transforms consumer buying behavior throughout the month of October. For retailers, understanding these new trends represents a golden opportunity to boost their sales.
The last-minute shopping rush
Contrary to what one might think, the majority of Canadians don’t plan their Halloween purchases weeks in advance. Data shows that nearly 60% of consumers make their main purchases in the last two weeks before October 31st. This trend is intensifying year after year, particularly among millennials and Generation Z who are accustomed to doing everything at the last minute.
This concentration of purchases creates intense transaction peaks for businesses. Lines get longer, customers become impatient, and every second counts. It’s exactly during these critical moments that a fast and reliable payment system makes all the difference between a completed sale and a customer who leaves empty-handed.
The explosion of online and in-store shopping
Halloween 2025 confirms a fascinating trend: consumers love mixing their shopping channels. They search for costume ideas on Instagram, compare prices online, then go to the store to touch products before buying. Or the opposite: they try on in boutiques and order online for express delivery.
This fluidity between channels requires retailers to offer a consistent payment experience everywhere. A customer who starts shopping on mobile must be able to finalize their transaction in-store without friction. The businesses that succeed are those who understand that every touchpoint must be flawless.
Average spending continues to increase
Gone are the days when Halloween only meant a few bags of candy. Canadians now spend an average of over $100 per household for this holiday. Costumes represent the largest share of the budget, followed by outdoor and indoor decorations, then treats and party supplies.
What’s even more interesting is the rise in popularity of premium products. Consumers are looking for more elaborate costumes, more impressive decorations, and more memorable experiences. This trend toward premium means higher average baskets and larger transactions for retailers.
Mobile payment becomes the norm
Young adults, who represent a significant portion of Halloween shoppers, have massively adopted contactless payments and digital wallets. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other mobile payment apps are no longer nice-to-have options – they’ve become essential.
This generation expects to be able to pay in seconds with their phone. They literally abandon their cart if the payment process is too long or too complicated. For physical stores as well as online businesses, refusing these modern payment methods is equivalent to closing the door in the face of a significant portion of the clientele.
Impulse purchases dominate the season.
Halloween particularly stimulates impulse buying. A customer enters to buy a costume and leaves with decorations, accessories, makeup, and candy. This impulse buying dynamic creates fantastic opportunities to increase transaction value.
But here’s the catch: impulse purchases depend enormously on the speed and ease of the payment process. If a customer has to wait too long or encounters technical problems when paying, they have time to reconsider their spontaneous purchases. A smooth and fast payment system captures these sales before the customer changes their mind.
Transaction security, a growing concern
With increased spending also comes heightened vigilance regarding security. Quebec consumers are increasingly aware of fraud risks, particularly during periods of high commercial activity. They want to have confidence that their banking information is protected.
Retailers who use certified and secure payment solutions reassure their customers and build a relationship of trust. This peace of mind encourages not only the initial purchase but also promotes repeat purchases and loyalty.
Preparing your business for success
To fully take advantage of the Halloween season, your payment infrastructure must be up to the task. This means fast and reliable payment terminals, the ability to accept all popular forms of payment, and a system that never lets you down during peak hours.
This is exactly where professional payment solutions like those offered by DRS Payments become a strategic asset. With technology designed to handle high transaction volumes and support all modern payment methods, you’re equipped to transform every customer into a successful sale. Payment solutions adapted to the needs of Quebec retailers allow you to focus on what matters: offering an exceptional customer experience during this crucial period.
Halloween represents a time-limited window of opportunity. Retailers who equip themselves with the right payment tools can not only capture more sales during this intense period but also build a reputation for reliability and efficiency that will extend well beyond October 31st.
