American consumers shattered records, spending $10.8 billion online during Black Friday 2024, thanks to AI-driven shopping tools, Adobe Analytics reported. This figure represents a significant 10.2% increase compared to Black Friday 2023.
Top-selling categories included toys, jewelry, household appliances, skincare products, haircare items, clothing, and electronics. According to Vivek Pandya, an Adobe Digital Insights analyst, this milestone is crucial for e-commerce. Traditionally, Black Friday has been dominated by in-store shopping, but this shift underscores changing consumer behavior.
AI is major tool for Black Friday
Notably, artificial intelligence played a pivotal role in enhancing the shopping experience. Adobe reported an astonishing 1,800% increase in traffic on websites using AI tools compared to last year. Consumers used AI not only to locate discounts but also to receive personalized recommendations and quickly find specific products.
Price Drops Drive Higher Demand
Interestingly, the surge in spending wasn’t caused by inflation. Instead, it was driven by increased demand. Adobe highlighted that electronics prices have been declining for 26 consecutive months. In October, prices dropped 2.9% compared to the same period in 2023. These price reductions made products even more appealing to shoppers.
Black Friday Weekend Deals
Moreover, the shopping spree is far from over. Adobe predicts an additional $5.2 billion in online sales on Saturday. Similarly, Sunday is expected to generate $5.6 billion. Looking ahead, Cyber Monday is projected to set new records with $13.2 billion in sales. This would mark a 6.1% increase compared to 2023.
Holiday Shopping Hits New Heights
Furthermore, the five-day period from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday is expected to reach an impressive $40.6 billion in total online sales. This represents a notable 7% increase from last year. As always, this period officially kicks off the year-end holiday shopping season in the United States.
In conclusion, the growing reliance on AI and record-breaking sales figures underscore the transformation of holiday shopping. With declining prices and innovative tools, consumers are embracing smarter, more efficient ways to shop.
