AI-powered shopping tools significantly boosted U.S. online spending on Black Friday, driving a record $11.8 billion in sales—a 9.1% increase from 2024. As consumers opted for online shopping to evade crowded stores, chatbots became essential for price comparisons and discounts amid tariff-related price hikes. Despite economic challenges, including rising unemployment rates and declining consumer confidence—a seven-month low—e-commerce demand surged, with Mastercard SpendingPulse reporting a 10.4% rise in online sales versus a mere 1.7% at physical locations. Globally, AI and digital agents contributed to $14.2 billion in Black Friday sales, with $3 billion attributed to the U.S. Popular products such as LEGO sets and gaming consoles highlight a shift towards digital shopping, suggesting strong momentum leading into Cyber Monday. This data underscores the growing importance of AI in retail and the evolving landscape of consumer behavior during the holiday season.
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