Black Friday bargain hunters break online shopping record with customers spending almost $10 BILLION to avoid pushy crowds

Black Friday bargain hunters smashed the online shopping record by spending nearly $10 billion in an effort to avoid chaotic crowds.

According to Adobe Analytics, spending rose 7.5 percent compared to last year’s shopping holiday, to a whopping $9.8 billion.

The electronics sector saw a major increase in sales, with online purchases increasing by a whopping 152 percent compared to normal daily sales in October this year.

Smartwatches increased by 577 percent, TVs by 484 percent and sales of audio equipment skyrocketed by 376 percent.

Other popular sellers included toys such as Barbie fashionista dolls, skin care products, cookware and coffee machines.

Online shopping on Black Friday increased by 7.5 percent compared to the same period last year as savvy shoppers looked for ways to beat the queues

And according to Adobe, the releases will continue this weekend.

The analytics firm predicts that customers will spend $4.8 billion on Saturday, $5.2 billion on Sunday and as much as $12 billion on Cyber ​​Monday – representing a 5.4 percent increase from last year.

E-commerce platform Shopify reported a record $4.1 billion in global sales, up 22 percent from last year.

Shopping peaked when collective sales reached $4.2 million per minute at 12:01 a.m. EST on Friday.

“Another epic, record-breaking Black Friday in the books for Shopify merchants,” said Shopify President Harley Finkelstein.

“The world showed up for our traders, and the excitement is only increasing with Cyber ​​Monday still to come.

New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco were the best-selling US cities. Clothing, personal care and jewelry were the most sought-after categories.

Although inflation has slowed, many goods and services are still much higher than they were three years ago.

Analytics company Adobe Analytics estimates that spending will continue with $4.8 billion on Saturday, $5.2 billion on Sunday and as much as $12 billion on Cyber ​​Monday

The impact of inflation may have had a chilling effect on some sales, although shoppers like Anna Cowan in Viera (pictured) attended in droves

However, Adobe Analytics minimized the impact of inflation, saying: “Adobe Analytics downplayed the impact of inflation. “Strong online consumer spending continues to be driven by net new demand and not higher prices.

‘Adobe’s Digital Price Index shows that e-commerce prices have fallen for 14 straight months (down 6% year-on-year in October 2023).

“Adobe figures are not adjusted for inflation, but if we include online deflation, consumer spending growth would be even stronger.”

Vivek Pandya, principal analyst for Adobe Digital Insights, added: “The strong online sales momentum for Black Friday this year further highlights the staying power that the major holiday shopping season continues to have.

‘Consumers still expect the best discounts during these days and retailers are delivering them. That’s why we expect record sales of $37.2 billion during Cyber ​​Week (5 days from Thanksgiving to Cyber ​​Monday).”

A record 130.7 million people in the U.S. are expected to shop in stores and online on Black Friday this year, estimates the National Retail Federation (NRF), the nation’s largest retail group.

Americans spent an average of $875 on holiday purchases — $42 more than last year — with clothes, gift cards and toys at the top of most shopping lists, according to a survey of 8,424 adults conducted by the NRF in early November.

The agency expected consumers to spend more this year than last, but said the pace will slow given all the economic uncertainty.

Vivek Pandya, principal analyst for Adobe Digital Insights, expects record revenue of $37.2 billion during Cyber ​​Week, the 5 days from Thanksgiving to Cyber ​​Monday

Americans spent an average of $875 on holiday purchases – $42 more than last year

Shoppers line up at the grocery store in the early morning hours in New Jersey for Black Friday deals

It predicts U.S. holiday sales will rise 3 to 4 percent from November through December, up from 5.4 percent growth a year ago.

Millions of Americans still went to malls and stores on Black Friday.

And for those who braved the crazy lines, perks were offered, from champagne to virtual reality experiences and old-fashioned doorbusters, as retailers this year tried to tempt customers who resist splurges and impulse purchases.

Shoppers were out in droves before the sun rose on Friday, with long lines outside shopping centers in New York, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee and Washington DC, among others.