
Black Friday just smashed records, but not where you might expect!
Forget the long lines and crowded malls; the real shopping frenzy unfolded online, hitting a jaw-dropping $9.8 billion in the U.S. alone.
It’s a staggering 7.5% increase from last year, proving that the digital shopping revolution is not just a fleeting trend, but the new normal.
Global online sales weren’t far behind, raking in an eye-watering $70.9 billion, up 8% from last year’s Black Friday, according to Salesforce data.
This year’s U.S. online sales surged 9% to a whopping $16.4 billion, beating expectations and leaving industry pundits in awe.
The secret stars of this online shopping bonanza?
Electronics!
They emerged as the major growth driver, with smartwatches, TVs, and audio equipment topping the wish lists.
But it wasn’t just gadgets that had people clicking away.
Popular toys like Barbie Fashionista dolls and KidKraft play sets, gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, and video games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Super Mario Bros. Wonder were flying off the virtual shelves.
Not to be outdone, footwear, health and beauty products, skincare, and sporting goods also saw impressive sales figures, according to Salesforce.
Shopify, counting both online and offline sales, reported a record-breaking $4.1 billion in global sales, up 22% from last year.
Thanksgiving Day itself set the stage for this digital shopping spree, with a record $5.6 billion spent online, marking a 5.5% increase from last year.
But hold onto your hats, because the shopping extravaganza isn’t over yet!
Adobe predicts another $22 billion in U.S. sales through Cyber Monday.
However, it’s not all rosy.
While online sales soar, brick-and-mortar stores of big retailers like Best Buy, Target, Nordstrom, and Kohl’s are seeing a sales slowdown.
The National Retail Federation is bracing for a modest holiday sales growth of 3% to 4%, potentially the smallest increase since 2019.
In a twist, this year’s Black Friday shopping is increasingly mobile.
Salesforce reports a record 79% of digital visits from mobile phones, with Adobe stating that mobile shopping made up 54% of all online sales.
Plus, flexible payment options are on the rise, with Buy Now, Pay Later orders spiking 72% in the week leading up to Black Friday.
Despite economic headwinds like high inflation and looming recession fears, consumers are adapting and flocking online in unprecedented numbers.
The message is clear: The future of shopping has arrived, and it’s digital.
Grab your phone, click away, and join the online shopping revolution!