**NEW YORK (AP)** — As Cyber Monday approaches, many people in the U.S. are getting ready to shop online. This day, known for great deals, wraps up the holiday shopping spree that starts after Thanksgiving.
Online shopping has become a part of everyday life. During the holiday season, it peaks with strong sales numbers. Despite some economic concerns, experts believe that Cyber Monday will see record spending this year.
According to Adobe Analytics, U.S. shoppers are expected to spend about $14.2 billion online on Monday—a 6.3% rise from last year. Experts predict the highest spending will happen between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. local time, with approximately $16 million spent every minute nationwide.
This year, shoppers already spent $11.8 billion on Black Friday and $6.4 billion on Thanksgiving Day. Knowing how much consumers spent during Cyber Week gives a clear picture of their willingness to buy gifts.
“Cyber Week is off to a strong start,” says Vivek Pandya, a lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights. He notes that discounts will likely stay high, making Cyber Monday the biggest online sales day of the year.
Deals on electronics and clothing are expected to see significant discounts, with items like toys reaching an average of 27% off. Salesforce, a company tracking digital spending, predicts Cyber Monday sales will hit $13.4 billion in the U.S. alone and $53.7 billion globally.
While more money will be spent online, rising prices may lead to fewer total purchases. Many shoppers are being more selective with their spending, focusing on a few important items instead of buying a lot of smaller things.
Concerns about financial stability linger. The National Retail Federation projects shoppers will spend over $1 trillion this holiday season for the first time, but growth is slowing compared to last year.
Credit card debt is rising, causing more people to use “buy now, pay later” plans, which are set to drive $20.2 billion in spending this season—up 11% from last year. Most of these purchases will likely happen on mobile devices, which now account for 58% of online shopping, compared to desktops, which dominated five years ago.
Artificial intelligence is also influencing shopping habits. Recent reports show that AI tools contributed significantly to online sales, with $14.2 billion of a global total of $79 billion linked to these technologies over Black Friday.
This Cyber Monday is not just about discounts; it showcases trends in consumer behavior and the rise of digital shopping. With the excitement surrounding popular items like the Nintendo Switch 2 and latest smartphones, shoppers are ready for deals that will continue to roll out throughout the holiday week.
Cyber Monday has now been around for almost 20 years, originally named by the National Retail Federation in 2005. Its popularity has only grown, transforming how we think about holiday shopping.
For more insights, see the latest statistics from Adobe Analytics on Cyber Monday sales trends.
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