Surprise, surprise - Black Friday 2023 was the biggest ever

News
By
published

Consumer spend was at an all-time high for Black Friday 2023

Woman looking at mobile phone and holding shopping bag
(Image credit: Shutterstock / leungchopan)

Despite continuing economic challenges, this year’s Black Friday 2023 sales were the most lucrative to date, with Adobe’s monitoring and forecasting reports suggesting that US consumers spent $86.6 billion from November 1 to 24.

The figures reveal a significant uptick on Thanksgiving – a day when consumers spent $5.6 billion in 24 hours – and Black Friday itself, which saw sales total $9.8 billion.

Looking ahead, Adobe reckons we’ll have spent more during this year’s festive season than any other before.

Consumers are still happy to spend in 2023

We look to be on track to spend $221.8 billion this holiday season, compared with $210 billion in 2022 and $205 billion in 2021.

Of the money spent in November, up to Black Friday, $6.5 billion (7.5%) was through a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) scheme. Adobe hasn’t released figures for previous years, however a short-term look at the two months leading up to Black Friday shows a gradual decrease in the number of BNPL users, suggesting that consumers could well be saving throughout the year for this very notable occasion, even amid troubling times financially.

The analysis also reveals the best time to spend, noting that apparel and toy retailers begin to drop prices around one week before the big day. Electronic sellers do so a couple of days earlier still.

There are small, early savings up to a month in advance as retailers look to build up hype, but the figures show that the most considerable savings still happen on Black Friday itself.

Cyber Monday is expected to be just as successful this year, but it will likely be a few weeks until we begin to quantify the scale of cyberattacks targeting rushed shoppers this season.

More from TechRadar Pro

TOPICS
Craig Hale
Craig Hale

With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!