Record shoppers, online sales surge signal strong US holiday season momentum
Analysts have noted that consumers remained savvy and watched price tags carefully to avoid impulse buys this year
[BENGALURU] US shoppers spent US$14.25 billion on Cyber Monday, pushing total online sales over the Thanksgiving weekend to US$44.2 billion, according to an Adobe Analytics report, as consumers lapped up offers on everything from gadgets to household essentials.
Spending rose 7.7 per cent during the so-called Cyber Week, the five days from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday, compared with an 8.2 per cent increase to US$41.1 billion last year and above its prior expectations of US$43.7 billion, the report said on Tuesday (Dec 2).
A record 202.9 million US customers shopped during the period, compared with the 197 million recorded last year, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).
“This year’s record turnout reflects a highly engaged consumer who is focused on value, responds to compelling promotions, and seizes upon the opportunity to make the winter holidays special and meaningful,” said NRF CEO Matthew Shay.
A total of 129.5 million consumers shopped in-store for the holidays, up 3 per cent from a year earlier, the NRF said.
Shoppers spent US$337.86 on average on items such as gifts, holiday apparel, decorations and other seasonal purchases, up from US$315.56 in 2024, according to the NRF report.
Retailers, including Amazon.com, Walmart and Target, rolled out attractive discounts across categories to draw both affluent shoppers eager to splurge and budget-conscious consumers looking to stretch every US dollar.
Even as big discounts led a few customers to take on short-term debt, analysts have noted that consumers remained savvy and watched price tags carefully to avoid impulse buys this year.
Several Americans relied on AI-powered services such as chatbots to browse products and compare prices in categories such as appliances, toys, video games as well as jewellery. REUTERS
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