From Idea Board to Shopping Buddy: How AI Quietly Rewired Halloween Shopping in North America

A recent Halloween spending report from PwC highlights an under‑the‑radar shift in how North American consumers, especially Gen Z, are using AI in their shopping journeys. Until now, generative AI was mostly treated as a brainstorming toy – a place to get costume prompts or quirky recipe ideas. The new data suggest it is starting to function as an active shopping tool instead of just a source of inspiration.

According to the survey, more than 80% of U.S. consumers said they planned to celebrate Halloween in 2026, rising to over 90% among Gen Z. Within that group, AI is emerging as a “third source of inspiration,” alongside social media and in‑store displays. People feed a budget and theme into a chatbot and receive complete suggestions for decorations, outfits or party menus – often with direct paths to buy. Younger shoppers, in particular, are more likely to click through and complete the purchase online.

In Japan, AI is still widely framed as a playful image generator rather than a practical shopping assistant. The North American experience hints at where things may be headed: as seasonal events pile up throughout the year, from Halloween to school festivals, AI‑based “personal concierges” could quietly reshape how retailers design websites, recommend products and bundle event‑specific items for Japanese consumers.