It looks like Thanksgiving wasn’t just about turkey and mashed potatoes this year — online shoppers have been busy snagging deals too! Black Friday online shopping is on track to smash records, with sales expected to hit somewhere between $10.7 billion and $11 billion, according to Adobe Analytics, which keeps a close eye on online shopping trends in the U.S.
By Friday evening, shoppers had already spent over 8% more than they did on Black Friday last year. And this shopping frenzy didn’t just start after Thanksgiving dinner; Turkey Day itself saw a whopping $6.1 billion spent online, which is nearly 9% more than last year. Clearly, folks were warming up their credit cards early!
So, what’s flying off the virtual shelves this Black Friday? Adobe says it’s all about the discounts — and some of them are pretty sweet. Toys have been the big winner, with discounts of more than 27% luring shoppers in. Sales for toys shot up by an incredible 178% compared to a regular day in October. And it’s not just kids’ stuff; other hot items include makeup and skincare kits, LEGO sets, Bluetooth speakers, TVs, patio heaters, and the ever-popular air fryers. Even “Wicked” toys are making waves this year!
Another trend? People are ditching desktops and shopping straight from their phones. More than half of all Black Friday purchases — about 57.6% — were made on mobile devices, up from 55.5% last year. So, whether it’s during a lunch break or while lounging on the couch, shoppers are finding it easier than ever to snag their favorite deals on the go.
This year’s online shopping spree is shaping up to be one for the books, proving that when it comes to holiday deals, people just can’t resist filling those virtual carts!
