Online Black Friday Spending Hits Record $11.8 Billion, AI's Growing Influence
E-commerce
Black Friday
Salesforce
Adobe Analytics
AI
Retail
Cyber Monday
Consumer Spending
9
Digital Dominance
Media Hype
8/10
Real Impact
9/10
What is the Viqus Verdict?
We evaluate each news story based on its real impact versus its media hype to offer a clear and objective perspective.
AI Analysis:
The scale of the spending data combined with the mounting evidence of AI’s influence indicates a genuinely transformative shift in the retail industry, aligning with the significant hype surrounding AI technology and its integration into daily business operations.
Article Summary
Black Friday 2025 witnessed a surge in online retail spending, with Adobe Analytics reporting a record $11.8 billion in online purchases. This figure represents a significant increase over last year’s $10.8 billion. The data indicates a shift towards convenience and digital shopping, as shoppers opted to stay home and take advantage of deals. Notably, Adobe projects an even larger Cyber Monday with $14.2 billion expected, and a total holiday spending projection of $253.4 billion for the year. However, the growth isn't solely driven by increased demand; Salesforce data revealed that average prices rose by 7% while order volumes decreased, suggesting inflation’s impact. Simultaneously, AI’s influence on holiday shopping is escalating, with Salesforce estimating $22 billion in global sales influenced by AI agents and technologies during the Thanksgiving weekend. Despite contrasting trends in brick-and-mortar shopping (down 3.4% overall, but up in department stores), the data underscores the ongoing transformation of the retail landscape, heavily shaped by digital technologies and increasingly sophisticated AI applications.Key Points
- Online Black Friday spending reached a record $11.8 billion, signaling a continued trend towards e-commerce.
- Inflation is impacting consumer spending, with average prices rising while order volumes decline.
- AI is playing an increasingly significant role in shaping holiday shopping trends, with an estimated $22 billion in global sales influenced by AI agents.