Black Friday 2025: Online Sales Hit $79 Billion Globally, AI Shopping Soars

Online sales for black Friday 2025 reached $79 billion worldwide, a 6% increase year-over-year, according to salesforce data.While the US saw more modest growth at 3% ($18 billion in sales), the global figures demonstrate continued consumer spending despite economic pressures.Adobe Analytics revealed peak online spending in the US between 10 a.m.and 2 p.m. on Black Friday, averaging $12 million per minute.

A key trend this year was the explosive growth of AI-powered shopping. Adobe reported an 805% increase in traffic originating from AI tools compared to 2024. salesforce quantified AI revenue at $14.2 billion globally, with $3 billion in the US, signaling a shift away from traditional search engines and price comparison websites towards chatbots and AI assistants for product discovery.

The picture for brick-and-mortar retail is mixed. Pass_by data showed a 1.7% increase in store visits (53 million total), with particularly strong growth (7.9%) in large department stores, suggesting a resurgence of “one-stop shopping.” However, retailnext reported a 3.6% decrease in US store visits. A clear understanding of Black Friday’s impact on physical retail will require analyzing the quarterly earnings reports of major retail chains, as foot traffic doesn’t directly translate to sales.

Analysts describe a more cautious consumer. Shoppers are increasingly deliberate in their purchases, treating black Friday as one of many opportunities for price comparison rather than a singular event. Salesforce attributes this shift to the current 7% inflation rate in the US, prompting more strategic spending habits.

How did the extended sales periods (“Black November”) impact the conventional Black Friday shopping rush?

Black Friday Online sales surge too $79 Billion, Defining New Consumer Spending records

The Explosive Growth of Black Friday E-Commerce

Black Friday 2025 shattered previous records, with online sales reaching a staggering $79 billion. This represents a 12% increase compared to 2024’s $70.8 billion, solidifying the event’s position as a cornerstone of the holiday shopping season adn a key indicator of consumer confidence. The shift towards online Black Friday deals continues to accelerate, driven by convenience, wider product selection, and increasingly competitive pricing. This year’s figures highlight a significant trend: consumers are prioritizing digital channels for their Black Friday shopping.

Key Drivers Behind the Record-Breaking Numbers

Several factors contributed to this unprecedented surge in Black Friday sales:

* Early Deals & Extended Sales Periods: Retailers began offering Black Friday deals weeks in advance, blurring the lines between traditional sales events. This “black November” strategy aimed to spread out demand and mitigate shipping pressures.

* Mobile Shopping Dominance: Mobile devices accounted for a record 61% of all online Black Friday traffic, and 43% of actual purchases. This underscores the importance of mobile commerce and optimized mobile shopping experiences.

* Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Popularity: The use of BNPL services like Affirm and Klarna saw a 20% increase compared to last year, enabling consumers to spread out payments and increase their purchasing power. This is a key trend in holiday spending.

* Inflation & Discount depth: While inflation remains a concern, retailers offered deeper discounts than anticipated to attract shoppers, particularly on discretionary items.This aggressive Black Friday discounting proved effective.

* Strong Labor Market: A relatively strong labor market and continued wage growth provided consumers with more disposable income,fueling consumer spending.

Top Performing Product Categories

Certain product categories experienced particularly strong growth during Black Friday 2025:

1. electronics: As always, electronics led the charge, with smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles seeing significant sales increases. Demand for Black Friday tech deals remained exceptionally high.
2. Apparel: Clothing and footwear experienced a 15% increase in online sales, driven by promotional offers and the convenience of online returns.
3. Home Goods: Furniture, kitchen appliances, and home décor also performed well, benefiting from the continued focus on home advancement.
4. Toys & Games: Despite supply chain concerns earlier in the year, toys and games saw a robust increase in sales, particularly online.
5. Beauty & Personal Care: This category continued its upward trajectory, with consumers stocking up on holiday gifts and personal care items.

The Impact of Social Commerce

Social commerce played an increasingly crucial role in driving Black Friday sales. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook saw a surge in product finding and direct purchases.

* Influencer Marketing: retailers leveraged influencer marketing campaigns to reach wider audiences and promote Black Friday deals.

* Live Shopping Events: Live shopping events, where influencers showcase products and offer exclusive discounts in real-time, gained traction.

* Shoppable Posts: Platforms enabled users to purchase products directly from shoppable posts and stories, streamlining the buying process.

Shipping & Logistics Challenges (and Solutions)

Despite preparations, shipping and logistics remained a challenge. However, retailers implemented several strategies to mitigate disruptions:

* Increased Warehouse Capacity: Many retailers invested in expanding warehouse capacity to handle the increased order volume.

* diversified Shipping Partners: Reliance on a single shipping carrier proved problematic in previous years, leading retailers to diversify their partnerships.

* “ship From Store” Options: Utilizing physical stores as fulfillment centers helped to speed up delivery times and reduce shipping costs.

* Clear Communication: Proactive communication with customers regarding potential shipping delays was crucial for managing expectations.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Black Friday

The trends observed during Black Friday 2025 suggest that the event will continue to evolve.Expect to see:

* further expansion of “Black November”: Retailers will likely extend promotional periods even further,creating a longer shopping season.

* Increased Personalization: AI-powered personalization will become more prevalent, delivering tailored offers and product recommendations to individual shoppers.

* Augmented Reality (AR) Shopping Experiences: AR technology will enable consumers to virtually “try on” products before making a purchase, enhancing the online shopping experiance.

* Sustainability Focus: Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainable products and ethical business practices, influencing retailer strategies.Sustainable Black Friday deals will become more common.

* Continued growth of BNPL: Buy Now, Pay Later options will continue to gain popularity, particularly among younger consumers.

Real-World Example: Best Buy’s Success

Best Buy demonstrated a successful Black Friday strategy by offering early access to My Best Buy members, providing exclusive deals, and streamlining the online checkout process. Thay also heavily promoted their in-store pickup options,alleviating shipping pressures. This resulted in a 18% increase in online sales compared to 2024, showcasing the effectiveness of a multi-channel approach.

Benefits of Understanding Black Friday Trends

Analyzing Black Friday data provides valuable insights for:

* Retailers: Informing inventory planning, marketing strategies, and pricing decisions.

* Consumers: