After Black Friday record: Cyber Monday shoppers expected to set another record for online shopping

Consumers across the United States are in full shopping mode, scouring the web for the best Cyber Monday deals. This annual online shopping extravaganza, fueled by hype and discounts, has cemented itself as the largest e-commerce event of the year.

Cyber Monday’s Unstoppable Growth

E-commerce has become second nature for many, especially during the holiday season. Cyber Monday stands out as a monumental shopping day, with Adobe Analytics projecting a record-breaking $13.2 billion in online sales this year—up 6.1% from 2023. Spending is expected to peak Monday night between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., with consumers shelling out an estimated $15.7 million every minute during this window.

Major retailers have turned Cyber Monday into a multi-day event. Amazon kicked off its sales early Saturday morning, while Target and Walmart launched their promotions Sunday evening, offering steep discounts on electronics, toys, and home goods.

Holiday Spending Trends Amid Economic Uncertainty

Cyber Week sales are a vital indicator of holiday spending patterns. Despite lingering concerns over inflation and rising credit card debt, consumer spending remains robust. Adobe Digital Insights predicts Cyber Week’s online sales will surpass $40 billion, bolstered by stronger-than-expected discounts. Black Friday alone generated $10.8 billion in online sales—a 10.2% increase from last year—while Thanksgiving Day sales reached a record $6.1 billion.

Notably, more shoppers are embracing “buy now, pay later” plans to manage rising costs. However, looming economic challenges, including tariffs proposed by President-elect Donald Trump, could push prices higher on key goods next year.

Shifting Shopping Preferences: Online Over In-Store

While e-commerce thrives, physical stores are seeing fewer customers. RetailNext reported a 3.2% drop in in-store traffic on Black Friday, with Sensormatic Solutions noting an even steeper 8.2% decline. Retail experts attribute this shift to extended online promotions, which spread shopping across multiple days.

Shoppers are also gravitating toward experience-driven purchases and premium items. Popular categories this year include fitness products, beauty items, and high-end electronics. Self-care and “self-gifting” are on the rise, with many treating themselves to indulgent purchases.

Shipping Challenges in a Tight Holiday Season

The shorter holiday season—five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas—has created logistical hurdles for retailers and shipping companies. FedEx expects Cyber Monday shipping volume to slightly surpass last year’s 19 million packages, but only a fraction of its retail clients accurately forecasted demand. UPS echoes this sentiment, predicting a steady surge in shipping volume through December.

A Record-Breaking Season for Retailers

As U.S. shoppers continue to embrace online deals, this holiday season is shaping up to be one for the books. Adobe’s Vivek Pandya highlights the impressive spending levels, noting that this year’s discounts have “exceeded expectations.” Retailers are optimistic, but the season’s final sales tally will ultimately reveal whether their strategies paid off.