Black Friday 2025 has redefined the landscape of e-commerce as consumers turned to online platforms in unprecedented numbers, resulting in a staggering $11.8 billion in online sales. This remarkable milestone represents a 9.1% increase compared to the previous year, as reported by Adobe Analytics. As a serial entrepreneur and a firm advocate for innovation, I find this transformative moment in shopping behavior fascinating and filled with opportunities, especially for small businesses and startups.
The data shows that the pandemic-induced shift to online shopping is not a short-term trend but rather a long-lasting change in consumer behavior. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. EST, online shoppers spent $12.5 million every minute. This data indicates that timing and adaptability have become critical for businesses looking to maximize their revenue during peak shopping events.
Key Factors Driving Record Sales
The rise in online spending can be attributed to several factors:
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Integration of advanced technologies: Artificial intelligence (AI) has empowered consumers to discover customized deals and offers. Adobe Analytics reported an astonishing 805% increase in AI-driven retail site interactions compared to 2024, underscoring how shoppers are embracing tools like intelligent chatbots and recommendation algorithms to navigate their options efficiently.
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Mobile purchasing trends: With more than half of all transactions occurring on mobile devices, businesses that optimized their mobile shopping experiences reaped the rewards. My advice to entrepreneurs? Prioritize mobile responsiveness in 2026. A website that loads fast and navigates easily on mobiles isn’t optional anymore; it’s foundational.
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Meaningful discounts across key categories: Categories such as electronics, toys, and apparel saw significant price reductions, drawing shoppers online. Discounts during this period are not merely promotions but powerful tools to attract digital engagement and boost overall customer acquisition.
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Increasing trust in e-commerce: People continue to feel more comfortable making large transactions online, particularly with growing cybersecurity advancements and flexible return policies.
Steps Entrepreneurs Should Take to Capitalize on Changing Consumer Behavior
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Invest in digital experience: A seamless online shopping experience is crucial. Explore ways to enhance your website’s loading speed, user interface, and checkout process.
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Leverage data for personalization: Utilize tools like Adobe Analytics to monitor user behavior and refine how you target customers with specific, need-based product suggestions.
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Master the art of pricing strategy: With Black Friday sales seeing significant discounts across categories, devise promotions that provide value without sacrificing profitability.
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Strengthen multichannel strategies: While the numbers point to e-commerce as a dominant force, balance is key. Integrating online efforts with a physical presence, where possible, can help retain broader market coverage.
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Embrace new technologies: Now is the time to explore how AI can revolutionize your business processes. Examples include using AI tools for customer support, price comparisons, and creating personalized promotions.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid in the Digital Sales Race
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Ignoring logistics: With online sales soaring, businesses must ensure that their fulfillment and delivery operations are efficient. Late or erroneous deliveries can significantly dent customer trust.
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Underestimating cybersecurity: As the digital shift accelerates, it becomes ever more critical to safeguard consumer data. Vulnerabilities can lead to data breaches, resulting in not only fines but also a loss of reputation.
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Neglecting post-sale engagement: The focus often ends at customer acquisition. A robust follow-up system, combined with offers for repeat customers, can build long-lasting loyalty beyond the shopping event.
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Failing to anticipate demand spikes: Consumer interest peaks during specific time frames, as seen with the spending surge between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Black Friday this year. Plan your inventory, marketing, and customer service capacity accordingly.
Understanding the Role of Cyber Monday in the Shopping Ecosystem
With projections of $14.2 billion in online spending, Cyber Monday is positioned as a bigger e-commerce day than Black Friday. Entrepreneurs should view Cyber Monday as an opportunity to target customers who may have postponed their purchases in anticipation of exclusive deals.
To prepare, analyze this year’s Black Friday data and look for trends to tailor your offers. Whether it’s intensifying discounts or creating limited-time window deals, this day can be a springboard for closing your year on a high note.
Global Context for Entrepreneurs
What’s happening in the U.S. parallels global transformations. For instance, Salesforce reported $79 billion spent globally on Black Friday sales, a 6% increase from the previous year, while Shopify merchants generated a record $6.2 billion worldwide. This global embrace presents unique opportunities for entrepreneurs to tap into newer markets.
However, consider that these figures are partly influenced by inflation, as higher average prices are noted across key products. As a business owner, your goal should be to balance pricing strategies with competitive deals that genuinely capture market demand.
It’s evident that the future of commerce is inching further towards digital innovation and new consumer patterns. Entrepreneurs who can adapt, whether by bolstering their online presence, leveraging technology, or being attuned to consumer behaviors, will find themselves positioned to thrive in this advanced retail era. By learning from the successes of major retail events like Black Friday and proactively mitigating common errors, businesses can transform challenges into opportunities for growth in the competitive e-commerce world.
FAQ
1. How much money was spent online during Black Friday 2025?
A record $11.8 billion was spent online during Black Friday 2025 in the U.S., marking a 9.1% increase from the previous year. Read more about Black Friday spending trends.
2. What time of the day saw the highest online spending on Black Friday?
Peak online shopping occurred between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. EST on Black Friday 2025, with $12.5 million spent every minute. Learn more about peak shopping times.
3. What are the main factors behind the record Black Friday online spending?
Key factors include the integration of AI tools, increased use of mobile purchasing, attractive discounts in categories like electronics and apparel, and growing trust in e-commerce platforms.
4. How did AI impact shopping during Black Friday?
AI played a significant role, with an 805% increase in AI-driven retail site interactions compared to 2024, helping consumers find customized deals and navigate options efficiently. Learn more about AI-driven retail trends.
5. How does Black Friday compare to Cyber Monday in terms of online shopping?
Black Friday set a record with $11.8 billion in online sales, but Cyber Monday is projected to surpass it with $14.2 billion in online spending. Read more about Cyber Monday projections.
6. What percentage of Black Friday transactions were made on mobile devices?
More than half of all Black Friday 2025 transactions took place on mobile devices, demonstrating the growing trend of mobile shopping.
7. What was the global impact of Black Friday 2025?
Salesforce reported global Black Friday sales of $79 billion, a 6% increase compared to 2024, while Shopify merchants achieved a record $6.2 billion in sales worldwide. Explore Salesforce’s global sales data.
8. What actions should small businesses take to adapt to shifting consumer trends?
Small businesses should invest in enhancing their digital experience, leverage data for personalization, master pricing strategies, and embrace new technologies like AI to thrive in this evolving e-commerce landscape.
9. What were the most popular product categories during Black Friday 2025?
Discounts on electronics, toys, and apparel were the main drivers of consumer interest during Black Friday 2025. Find insights on top Black Friday categories.
10. What are the risks businesses must mitigate during high-volume shopping events like Black Friday?
Key risks include ignoring logistics, underestimating cybersecurity, neglecting post-sale customer engagement, and failing to prepare for demand spikes during peak shopping hours.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.