Shoppers spent a record-breaking $257.8 billion online during the 2025 holiday season, marking a 6.8% increase from the prior year, according to Adobe Analytics. The season, spanning November 1 to December 31, saw an unprecedented 25 days with spending surpassing $4 billion—seven more than 2024.
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) services gained traction among holiday shoppers, recording a 9.8% rise year-over-year to reach $20 billion. Adobe noted Cyber Monday as the largest single spending day, while Black Friday posted stronger growth with a 9.1% increase to $11.8 billion, compared to Cyber Monday’s 7.1% rise.
Mobile shopping played a dominant role, accounting for 56.4% of all online spending, up from 54.5% in 2024. Christmas Day saw mobile transactions peak, as consumers turned to their handheld devices for last-minute purchases. Generative AI also made an impact, driving a 693.4% surge in traffic to retail websites during the holidays, though its overall use remained modest.
Electronics topped the product categories, with sales jumping 8.2% year-over-year to $59.8 billion. The report highlighted consumer enthusiasm for tech-related products, a trend that continues to shape online shopping behavior.
These insights underscore the need for ecommerce businesses, digital marketers, and content creators to refine strategies for mobile-first shoppers and to explore opportunities with emerging technologies like AI and BNPL services.
For tailored content solutions that align with evolving ecommerce trends, consider the Boost Plan.
Source: Retail Brew
Source: Retail Brew
