According to Adobe Analytics, US shoppers spent a record $11.8 billion online, up a spicy 9.1% from last year (which breaks down to an insane $12.5 million per minute.) 🤯

Meanwhile, Mastercard says in-store sales rose 1.7%, with foot traffic up just over 1%.

Yes, online shopping remains the elite choice, nothing new here.

And there’s also the “limited time” factor (or lack of) as Black Friday is no longer a “Friday” situation. Now it’s Black Week… Black Month… Black Infinity War… whatever. 🖤

Unlike the good ole days, retailers are now dropping “early Black Friday deals” before Halloween decorations go on clearance. And consumers, now glued to one screen or another, think it's Christmas season every other week.

But the biggest twist this year is thanks to yours truly, AI (because of course). In addition to intruding into every other aspect of our daily life, AI has now basically became everyone’s personal shopping sidekick. 🤖

Chatbots, auto price-comparison tools, personalized discount finders — all of it boosted traffic by 805% year-over-year, according to Adobe. Walmart’s Sparky and Amazon’s Rufus basically became holiday elves this year, whispering “psst, the LEGO set is cheaper here.”

And it worked!

Globally, AI is credited with influencing $14.2 billion in online sales, with $3 billion of that happening in the US alone.

However, there’s a catch. Higher prices and tariffs meant people bought fewer items, even though spending rose. Discounts definitely weren’t as juicy as last year, and shoppers definitely noticed.

And now, all eyes are on Cyber Monday. 💻

Analysts say its projected to hit $14.2 billion, making it once again the biggest online shopping day of the year, and giving us a clearer picture the economic state of mind.