AI shopping is reaching new heights around the globe, reporting a record growth in spending and overall AI use for shopping. MasterCard says AI-assisted shopping has moved firmly into the mainstream, noting earlier this month that Walmart now lets customers make purchases through ChatGPT.
Record Spending
Adobe Analytics, which tracks one trillion retail website visits, noted an 805% spike in AI-driven traffic to U.S. retail sites compared to last year, when tools like Walmart’s Sparky and Amazon’s Rufus had not yet launched. This shift in behavior shaped the year’s Black Friday performance. U.S. shoppers spent a record $11.8 billion online, a 9.1% increase from 2024.
AI played a major role. Reuters reports that shoppers relied heavily on chatbots to compare prices and secure discounts, especially as tariff-related price concerns loomed.
“Consumers are using new tools to get to what they need faster,” said Suzy Davidkhanian, an eMarketer analyst. “Gift giving can be stressful, and LLMs make the discovery process feel quicker and more guided,” Salesforce added that AI and digital agents influenced $14.2 billion in global online sales on Black Friday, including $3 billion from the U.S.
AI Shopping Surge
After surveying more than 4,000 consumers in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and the UAE, the company found that more than four in ten shoppers already rely on AI tools while shopping. Usage is highest among younger buyers, including 61% of Gen Z and 57% of millennials.
Half of Gen Z and 49% of millennials say they would even let AI handle all of their gift buying to avoid stress. Younger shoppers show significant trust in AI’s judgment, with 51% of Gen Z and 55% of millennials depending on it for unique and thoughtful recommendations.
Popular uses include personalized suggestions, confirming the best deals before checkout, and summarizing extensive review data. MasterCard’s conclusion: AI is becoming a personal shopping assistant that understands a user’s needs, preferences, and limits.
Even Bigger Cyber Monday Expected
The strong Black Friday turnout sets the stage for a potentially record-setting Cyber Monday. Adobe expects $14.2 billion in sales, a 6.3% increase from last year, and the largest online shopping day of 2025. Electronics are expected to offer the steepest discounts at around 30% off, with notable reductions also projected for apparel and computers.
