Black Friday online sales hit a record $11.8 billion in the U.S., a 9.1% increase from last year, according to Adobe Analytics. Shoppers largely bypassed physical stores amid inflation and economic uncertainty, opting instead for the convenience and targeted deals found online.A major driver of this surge was the widespread adoption of AI tools.
Consumers used chatbots and large language models to quickly find the best discounts and compare prices, leading to an 805% jump in AI-driven traffic to retail sites compared to last year. Hot sellers included LEGO sets, gaming consoles, and electronics like Apple AirPods.This record spending sets the stage for an even bigger finish to the weekend.
Experts project that Cyber Monday will become the year’s largest online shopping day, hitting an estimated $14.2 billion in sales. Despite tighter budgets, shoppers are prioritizing digital savvy to secure discounts.
