Cyber Monday 2025 May Break Online Sales Record/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Cyber Monday 2025 is expected to set new online shopping records as U.S. consumers chase deep discounts despite economic strain. Experts predict spending will exceed $14 billion, with peak activity occurring Monday night. Factors like inflation, tariffs, and job insecurity are shaping smarter, tech-driven shopping behaviors.
Cyber Monday 2025 Quick Looks
- U.S. online shoppers expected to spend $14.2 billion on Cyber Monday.
- Adobe projects peak spending of $16 million per minute between 8–10 p.m.
- Discounts are highest in electronics, toys, and apparel.
- Online spending on Black Friday and Thanksgiving already exceeded forecasts.
- Salesforce predicts $13.4 billion U.S. Cyber Monday total, $53.7 billion globally.
- Economic concerns influence precise, deal-focused consumer behavior.
- Buy now, pay later plans drive billions in online spending.
- Smartphones and mobile devices dominate online purchases this year.
- AI-driven shopping recommendations influence billions in sales.
- Popular items include Nintendo Switch 2, Labubu Dolls, and new flagship phones.
Deep Look
Cyber Monday 2025 Set to Break Records Despite Rising Prices and Economic Anxiety
NEW YORK — Shoppers across the U.S. are expected to shatter online sales records this Cyber Monday, even as inflation, job insecurity, and high-interest debt put pressure on household budgets. Fueled by some of the deepest discounts of the season, online spending is expected to soar past $14 billion in a single day.
According to Adobe Analytics, U.S. consumers are projected to spend $14.2 billion online Monday — a 6.3% jump from last year’s total. The shopping frenzy is anticipated to peak between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. local time, when Adobe estimates purchases will reach $16 million every minute.
Black Friday and Thanksgiving Day spending already exceeded expectations, with $11.8 billion spent on each day. Over the full Cyber Week — the five-day period from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday — shoppers have demonstrated strong purchasing power despite broader financial concerns.
“Cyber Week is off to a strong start,” said Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights. “Cyber Monday remains the biggest online shopping day of the year.”
Discounts Drive Urgency
Retailers have rolled out aggressive promotions, especially in high-demand categories. Adobe reports discounts on electronics averaging 30% off, apparel at 26%, and toys at 27%. Consumers are looking to capitalize on these limited-time deals before prices rise or inventories shrink.
Software company Salesforce estimates U.S. Cyber Monday sales will hit $13.4 billion, while global digital sales could climb to $53.7 billion.
While these figures are record-setting, they don’t necessarily reflect increased consumer volume. Rising prices across most product categories may be inflating overall totals even if shoppers are buying fewer items.
Smarter Shopping Amid Financial Strain
Americans are shopping more strategically than in previous years. Economic uncertainty—including the lingering effects of a 43-day government shutdown, new tariffs on foreign imports, and corporate layoffs—has pushed many to prioritize value over volume.
Rather than buying multiple small gifts, shoppers are hunting for discounts on big-ticket items and spacing their purchases across several days. This staggered approach lets them evaluate offers and maximize their budgets.
“Buy Now, Pay Later” Gains Momentum
Consumers are increasingly turning to alternative financing tools like buy now, pay later (BNPL) programs to manage spending. Adobe projects BNPL services will account for $20.2 billion in online holiday purchases this year — an 11% increase from 2024.
Cyber Monday alone is expected to generate over $1 billion in BNPL transactions, with most of those happening on mobile devices. With inflation still lingering and short-term credit debt climbing, BNPL services offer a short-term solution for shoppers looking to stretch their dollars.
Mobile Shopping Takes Over
Once dominated by desktop browsing, holiday shopping has firmly shifted to mobile. Adobe predicts that mobile devices — including smartphones, tablets, and wearable tech — will represent 58% of all online holiday purchases this year.
This mobile dominance is shaping the way retailers present deals, emphasizing app-exclusive discounts and streamlined mobile checkouts to capture on-the-go shoppers.
AI Now Influencing Purchase Decisions
Artificial intelligence is also playing a key role in what gets purchased and when. Salesforce noted that AI-powered shopping recommendations and virtual agents influenced $14.2 billion in Black Friday spending globally. Expect similar impact on Cyber Monday, with AI suggesting deals based on browsing history, social activity, and real-time inventory.
These tools are helping consumers make faster decisions, while boosting efficiency for retailers managing limited-time promotions and dynamic pricing strategies.
What’s in Demand?
Cyber Monday’s biggest draws include the new Nintendo Switch 2, which has become one of the most sought-after gaming items of the season. Other popular purchases include Labubu Dolls — collectible figures that have crossed into fashion culture — and top-tier smartphones like the iPhone 17, Samsung Galaxy S25, and Google Pixel 10.
With major retailers extending Cyber Monday promotions throughout the week, some shoppers may still wait to see if inventory holds or deeper discounts appear. But for many, Monday remains the symbolic deadline to lock in the best deals of the season.
Two Decades of Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday was first coined by the National Retail Federation in 2005, originally designed to promote online shopping the Monday after Thanksgiving. Today, it’s grown into a global event, supported by weeks of digital marketing and fueled by consumer anticipation.
Despite economic headwinds, this year’s Cyber Monday shows that bargain hunting remains deeply ingrained in consumer culture — and that shoppers will continue to spend, as long as they believe they’re getting a deal worth clicking on.
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