Holiday Shopping: How AI and Mobiles Are Changing the Game
The holiday shopping season in the U.S. is set to be a big deal, with online sales expected to hit $253.4 billion. That's a 5.3% jump from last year.
Key Shopping Days
- Cyber Monday: Predicted to be the busiest day, with sales reaching $14.2 billion, up 6.3% from the previous year.
- Black Friday: Not far behind, with an 8.3% increase to $11.7 billion.
- Thanksgiving Day: Seeing a rise in online spending, with a 4.9% increase to $6.4 billion.
The Role of AI
AI is a major player this year, expected to drive a 520% increase in online shopping traffic, especially in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Last year, AI traffic to retail sites surged by 1,300%.
Consumers are using AI for:
- Research
- Recommendations
- Finding deals
- Getting gift ideas
Categories like toys, electronics, jewelry, and personal care are seeing the most AI activity.
Mobile Shopping on the Rise
Mobile shopping is expected to make up 56.1% of online transactions, up from 54.5% last year and 51.1% in 2023.
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Services
BNPL services are another trend, expected to drive $20.2 billion in online spending, up 11% from last year. Cyber Monday is set to hit a new BNPL milestone, with $1.04 billion in sales.
Social Media's Influence
Social media advertising is expected to drive a 51% increase in online revenue, a significant jump from the 5% growth seen in 2024.
Top spending categories include:
- Electronics: Leading at $57.5 billion, up 4% from last year.
- Apparel
- Furniture