U.S. consumers spent a remarkable $8.6 billion online this Black Friday, according to fresh data released by Adobe Analytics. The surge highlights shoppers’ continued appetite for deep discounts despite broader economic uncertainties and inflation concerns affecting household budgets.

📌 Electronics and Toys Lead the Shopping Frenzy

Adobe’s breakdown of spending trends shows that electronics, toys, and apparel were among the most heavily discounted categories and also the most purchased. Gadgets such as smart TVs, laptops, gaming consoles, and wireless earbuds saw some of the steepest price drops, drawing in millions of buyers.

📌 Consumers Shift to Mobile Shopping

A record share of purchases came from mobile devices, with more Americans opting to shop from their phones instead of desktops. Adobe notes that ease of checkouts, better app experiences, and personalized offers contributed to mobile commerce dominance during the sale.

📌 Buy Now, Pay Later Usage Climbs

The report also shows a sharp rise in the use of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services, with more consumers spreading out payments for larger purchases. BNPL transactions saw double-digit growth compared to last year, signaling that flexible payment options are becoming a mainstream part of holiday shopping.

📌 Strong Start to the Holiday Season

With Black Friday showing impressive numbers, analysts say the broader holiday shopping season is on track for solid performance. The momentum is expected to carry into Cyber Monday, traditionally the biggest online shopping day of the year.