In the United States, Black Friday 2025 witnessed an unprecedented surge in online shopping, with U.S. consumers spending a record $11.8 billion. This marked a 9.1% increase from the previous year, largely driven by the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Retailers saw an astonishing 805% increase in AI-driven traffic to their websites compared to last year, indicating that many shoppers preferred to avoid crowded stores and utilize technology to enhance their shopping experience. Adobe Analytics reported that the use of AI-powered chatbots played a significant role in this increase. These tools helped shoppers compare prices, track deals, and find products more efficiently. Nearly half of U.S. shoppers indicated they had already used or planned to use AI for assistance during their holiday shopping this year. The effectiveness of these technologies was demonstrated by the fact that shoppers who accessed retail websites through AI services were 54% more likely to complete a purchase than those who did not. Prior to Black Friday, digital spending on Thanksgiving also reached new heights, with Americans spending $6.4 billion online, representing a 5% increase compared to the previous year. Adobe pointed out that stronger-than-expected discounts across various product categories, especially electronics, fueled this spending. The firm adjusted its discount forecast for Black Friday accordingly, expecting offers to be on par with previous holiday shopping seasons. While the holiday shopping season indicated resilience among consumers, there are underlying economic concerns. Increased inflation and slowing job growth have raised fears of a potential economic downturn. However, both consumers and retailers remain hopeful that the holiday shopping season will defy these trends, as nearly two-thirds of U.S. economic activity is driven by consumer spending.