Cyber Monday Spending Trends Amid Economic Uncertainty

This year, Cyber Monday is poised to break spending records, with projections indicating that U.S. shoppers will spend $14.2 billion online, a 6.3% increase compared to the previous year, according to Adobe Analytics.

Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, characterized by rising retail prices, corporate layoffs, and anxieties over job security, consumer spending during Cyber Week is on a strong trajectory. Experts highlight that consumers are increasingly glued to their computers and smartphones as they seek the best deals, with discounts expected to peak at 30% and 26% off average listed prices for electronics and apparel, respectively.

The National Retail Federation estimates that overall spending for the November-December holiday season will exceed $1 trillion for the first time, although the growth rate is expected to slow to between 3.7% and 4.2%.

Rising credit card debt and delinquencies have led more shoppers to adopt buy now, pay later plans, which are projected to drive $20.2 billion in online spending this holiday season. The majority of these transactions will occur via mobile devices, which are now the dominant platform for online shopping, accounting for 56.1% of total online spending, or approximately $142.7 billion.

This shift marks a significant change from just five years ago when desktop purchases were more prevalent. Furthermore, artificial intelligence shopping services are influencing consumer choices, contributing to significant revenue during peak shopping days.

For instance, Salesforce reported that AI assistants generated $14.2 billion of the $79 billion spent online globally on Black Friday. Popular items expected to be in high demand include gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2 and the latest smartphones including the iPhone 17, Google Pixel 10, and Samsung Galaxy S25.

As Cyber Monday celebrates its 20th anniversary, the shopping phenomenon continues to evolve, with sales extending throughout the week as retailers capitalize on consumer excitement to maximize spending.

The popularity of Cyber Monday underscores the increasing influence of online shopping, raising important questions about data privacy and security, as consumers become more reliant on digital platforms for their purchasing needs.