While many families gathered around dinner tables to share turkey and gratitude, millions of Americans also reached for their phones and laptops to hunt for the best online deals of the year. This year’s Thanksgiving online shopping proved that turkey and touchscreens make quite the combination.
By 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, shoppers had already spent $2.6 billion online, marking a 5.8% jump from last year. Experts project that US Thanksgiving Day online sales will climb 6% to reach $8.6 billion total, while global digital sales are expected to hit an impressive $36 billion.
Early Thanksgiving shoppers shattered spending records, dropping $2.6 billion online by mid-afternoon in a remarkable 5.8% surge from last year.
The shopping frenzy doesn’t stop there. Black Friday forecasts show even bigger numbers ahead, with retailers expecting $78 billion in global sales and $18 billion in US online purchases alone. These two shopping days combined typically generate about one-third of retailers’ entire annual revenue and profits, making them absolutely vital for businesses.
What’s driving this shopping surge? Deep discounts are the main attraction, especially as families face economic uncertainty and rising prices from government tariffs on imported goods. Popular deal categories include electronics like computers and smartphones, clothing, and holiday gifts. Retailers such as Best Buy, Gap, and Abercrombie & Fitch report strong demand for their discounted merchandise. Businesses must adapt their strategies as US tariffs continue to shift throughout the trading period.
Despite concerns about the economy, consumers are clearly willing to spend when they spot good value. The overall holiday shopping season from November through December is forecast to grow 2.1% to $288 billion in the US, though growth remains modest compared to previous years.
Technology is reshaping how people shop during the holidays. Mobile commerce continues growing as the preferred shopping method, while “buy now, pay later” options become increasingly popular.
Perhaps most interesting is the role of artificial intelligence, with AI-related traffic to retail websites expected to surge over 500% compared to last year. Advanced AI trading strategies are helping retailers better predict consumer behavior and optimize pricing during these critical shopping periods.
This Thanksgiving shopping surge serves as an early indicator of holiday spending patterns. While economic challenges persist, consumers are showing they’ll open their wallets for the right deals, setting the stage for what retailers hope will be a successful holiday season.
