Halloween creates a substantial opportunity for brands—and a reason to look more closely at the sellers reaching their customers.
The National Retail Federation projects $13.5 billion in U.S. Halloween spending in 2026, including $4.1 billion on candy and $4.4 billion on costumes. Across the U.S. 27% of consumers plan to Halloween shop online.
For brands selling candy, Halloween-themed food products, and especially IP-licensed costumes through Amazon, one question deserves more attention: what do we already know about the seller behind the offer?
During a preliminary IPSecure review, we identified Halloween candy and costume offers from dozens of Amazon sellers we call 'Known Infringers' - known because the sellers we identified have previously sold and shipped counterfeit products to another IPSecure user on our platform.
Obviously the fact that a known infringer is also offering this product does not establish that the treats are counterfeit, unsafe, or in any way create risk. It does identify a highly relevant and effective investigation lead: evidence from one category can help brands decide where to look in another.
The implications extend beyond a single purchase. When an infringing product reaches a customer, a brand can face a lost legitimate sale, complaints, returns, and damage to trust. Customers see the brand on the package; they may never understand the seller’s role in what went wrong.
Halloween also has a fixed deadline. A disappointing costume or questionable package of treats leaves little time to investigate or replace the purchase before the occasion passes.
Brands should use documented seller history to prioritize seasonal monitoring and test purchases. Confirm the seller ID, capture the actual offer, purchase the product, and assess what arrives.
A familiar brand name helps shoppers choose. Evidence about the seller helps brands protect that choice.