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This Black Friday, U.S. shoppers spent a record $11.8 billion online, up 9% from last year. Experts say AI played a big role in making this possible. AI tools helped shoppers find deals faster and make smarter choices.
Many people avoided crowded stores and relied on AI-powered chatbots and recommendation tools. These tools compared prices, suggested discounts, and guided users through the shopping process. “AI helps consumers get what they need faster,” said Suzy Davidkhanian, an analyst at eMarketer. “It makes shopping less stressful and much quicker.”
Online shopping grew strongly even as budgets tightened and prices rose. Mastercard SpendingPulse reported a 10.4% growth in e-commerce sales on Black Friday. In-store sales only grew 1.7%. Adobe Analytics also noted that AI-driven traffic to U.S. retail websites jumped 805% compared to last year.
Popular items this year included LEGO sets, Pokémon cards, gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5, Apple AirPods, and KitchenAid mixers. AI tools influenced $14.2 billion in online sales globally. About $3 billion of that came from the U.S., according to Salesforce.
Rising prices affected how much shoppers bought. Average selling prices went up 7% while order volumes fell 1%. Shoppers also bought fewer items per transaction. Higher costs from tariffs and inflation kept discounts mostly flat. “The real value of Black Friday bargains has slipped for consumers,” said Michael Ashley Schulman, Chief Investment Officer at Running Point.
Even with these challenges, the strong online sales point to a big Cyber Monday. It is expected to reach $14.2 billion in U.S. sales. Electronics, computers, and apparel are likely to see the best discounts.
This year proves AI is changing how people shop. It helps shoppers save time, find the best deals, and make smarter purchases. Black Friday 2025 shows that AI is making holiday shopping easier and faster than ever.
