Halloween is ~60 days away. Most POD stores rush out random designs and hope for the best. Smart merchants use simple psychology to lift average order value (AOV) from $20–25 for a single tee to $50–75 per order.
This guide shows four proven strategies you can set up this week—no complicated formulas, just practical steps that work with product personalization.
Strategy #1: Bundle Products Together (start here)
The fastest way to increase AOV is to sell groups of items, not one item at a time.
Why it works
- Parents want matching family outfits.
- Homeowners want a fully themed porch or entryway.
- Pet owners love coordinating with their dog or cat.
Create your first bundle
Step 1: Pick a theme
- Spooky Family Set: matching shirts for parents and kids
- Halloween Home Collection: doormat + garden flag + decorations
- Pet & Owner Combo: owner shirt + pet bandana + treats
Step 2: Price the bundle
- Individual items: $25 each
- Bundle of 3: $65 (save $10)
- Make the bundle clearly feel like a deal
Step 3: Build the products — apply the same Halloween theme across different SKUs to make it feel like a set.
Example: “Boo Crew Family Set”
- Adult hoodie: $28
- Kids t-shirt: $22
- Pet bandana: $18
- Bundle price: $58 (save $10)
Action: Launch one bundle today for your easiest niche/theme.
Strategy #2: Show Three Price Options (anchor to the premium)
Never show a single price. Use a 3-tier offer so the “Best” feels like the smartest choice.
The three-tier setup
- Good: Single item — $35
- Better: Two items — $55 (small discount)
- Best: Three items — $69 (bigger discount)
How to set it up
- Price the single product at full price.
- Create a 2-item bundle (≈10% off).
- Create a 3-item bundle (≈15% off).
- Display all three options on the same page.
Example:
- Doormat — $39
- Doormat + garden flag — $69
- Doormat + garden flag + window decals — $85
Strategy #3: Use Free Shipping to Push Bigger Carts
Free shipping is a lever to raise order value—not just a perk.
Set the threshold above your target
If you want $50 orders, set free shipping at $65. Customers add items to “unlock” it.
- Customer adds $45 of items.
- They see: “Add $20 more for FREE shipping.”
- They add one or two small items.
- Final cart: $65+ instead of $45.
Create small add-on products ($8–15)
- Halloween stickers — $8
- Pet bandana — $12
- Custom keychain — $9
- Car decal — $11
Quick setup
- Set free shipping at $65–75 (adjust to margin).
- Add a cart progress bar (“$12 to free shipping”).
- Offer 5–8 sub-$15 add-ons.
- Show add-ons dynamically when customers are close.
Strategy #4: Create Urgency (Halloween has a real deadline)
Halloween ends Oct 31. Use time-bound releases and shipping cutoffs.
Launch new collections weekly
- Week 1: Classic Halloween (pumpkins, ghosts, witches)
- Week 2: Vintage Horror (retro poster styles)
- Week 3: Cute Halloween (kawaii ghosts, friendly monsters)
- Week 4: Last-Chance Collection (final designs)
Add countdowns & stock cues
- “Order by Oct 20 for guaranteed Halloween delivery.”
- “Only 12 left in this design.”
- “Collection ends in 8 days.”
Your 7-Day Halloween Setup Plan
Day 1: Create one bundle (3 matching products, clear savings, publish).
Days 2–3: Add three-tier pricing (single, 2-item, 3-item) and display together.
Days 4–5: Configure free shipping ($65–75), add progress bar, create 5–8 add-ons, test cart.
Days 6–7: Launch with urgency—timers, “last chance” posts, email/social, watch what converts.
What to Expect
- Week 1: Systems live; light sales while you test.
- Weeks 2–3: AOV rises as bundles and tiers get traction.
- Week 4: Final rush—often ~40% of Halloween revenue.
- Typical shift: $45–65 AOV vs. $20–30 single-item orders.
Your results depend on products, traffic, and execution.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Launching too many bundles at once—start with one winner.
- Overpricing bundles—make the savings obvious.
- Skipping cart/checkout testing—friction kills conversion.
- Waiting until October—early shoppers spend more.
Your Next Step
Don’t do everything at once—pick one strategy and ship it today:
- New store: Launch your first bundle (Strategy #1).
- Existing catalog: Add three-tier pricing (Strategy #2).
- Steady traffic: Implement smart free shipping (Strategy #3).
The goal is to make it easy for customers to spend more with you—not across multiple stores.
Start now. One strategy can change your Halloween sales curve this week.
