Online sales on Black Friday hit a record high this year, with consumers spending a total of $74.4 billion globally, which is a 5% increase from last year. In the U.S. alone, consumers made purchases of $10.8 billion, up 10.2% from the previous year. Salesforce estimated that a total of $17.5 billion was spent in the U.S., marking a 7% increase year-over-year. These numbers show a positive trend in online shopping, especially on Black Friday.
Comparing this year’s figures to 2023, there has been a significant increase in online spending. In 2023, the U.S. saw Black Friday online sales of $9.8 billion, while global spending reached $70.9 billion. These numbers indicate a steady rise in online shopping activity during the holiday season.
Despite the global increase in online spending, Black Friday is not as significant in other parts of the world as it is in the U.S. This could explain the lower growth percentage globally. However, with the rise of e-commerce and consumers becoming more comfortable with online shopping, Black Friday sales are expected to continue growing in the future.
Adobe reported that 55% of online sales were made on mobile devices, totaling $5.9 billion and showing a 12.1% increase year-on-year. This highlights the importance of mobile shopping in today’s retail landscape. Additionally, discounts played a crucial role in driving sales, with significant markdowns on popular holiday gift categories like toys, electronics, and TVs.
The use of chatbots in online shopping has also increased significantly, with a reported 1,800% rise in traffic to retail sites from GenAI chatbots. Consumers are increasingly using chatbots to find deals and shopping recommendations, indicating a shift in how people interact with online stores. This trend could potentially impact traditional search engines and lead to new advertising opportunities for chatbot creators.
Overall, the record-breaking online sales on Black Friday signal a strong start to the holiday shopping season for retailers worldwide. With the convenience of mobile shopping, attractive discounts, and the rise of chatbot interactions, online shopping is evolving to meet the changing demands of consumers. As e-commerce continues to grow, Black Friday is expected to remain a significant shopping event both in the U.S. and globally.