Conversions and engagement among AI users drive outsize impact despite limited adoption.

Cyber Monday generated a record $14.25 billion in US online sales, rising 7.1% year over year and slightly surpassing expectations despite a Shopify outage. Strong momentum carried through the Cyber Five period, highlighted by a 9.1% Black Friday jump, while inflation steered shoppers toward categories like electronics, apparel, and furniture. BNPL usage hit an all-time high with $1.03 billion in spending, and mobile devices drove most purchases at 57.5%. The season’s performance underscores resilient demand but also a more price-sensitive consumer increasingly reliant on value and flexible payment options.

Prominent retailers generated better-than-expected holiday results: While Abercrombie, Lululemon, and Nordstrom raised their Q4 outlooks, Macy’s and Kohl’s continued to face challenges.