Black Friday, one of the most significant shopping events of the year, brings massive deals, impressive discounts, and sales events. Online retailers and in-store shopping, each with its unique strategies, play crucial roles in this annual retail bonanza.
To show you just how impactful this shopping weekend is, we’ve gathered quite a few interesting holiday shopping statistics around Black Friday. Get curious!
Importance of Black Friday
Black Friday has evolved into the unofficial kickoff of the holiday shopping season, significantly influencing consumer spending patterns. No longer just a single-day event, it has become a multi-day shopping holiday with retailers offering extended deals and promotions.
Black Friday’s impact as a shopping event is undeniable. In 2023, Black Friday sales figures reached a record $9.8 billion* in online sales alone, with an estimated 230 million* shoppers participating in the deals frenzy across the US.
These figures highlight the continuing importance of Black Friday for both consumers and businesses.
Online Sales vs. In-Store Sales Trends Over Time
Black Friday’s digital dominance continued in 2023, with global online sales surging by 8% year-over-year to reach a staggering $70.9 billion*. This significant growth in retail sales dwarfed the modest 1.1%* increase seen in brick-and-mortar sales during the same period.
The message is clear: consumers are increasingly motivated to buy online, drawn to the convenience and competitive online deals available.
This preference for online shopping was evident in the fact that 68%* of shoppers globally planned to snag Black Friday deals online in 2023. Italy emerged as a leader in this trend, with over 70%* of Italian shoppers planning to shop exclusively online for Black Friday.
This shift towards ecommerce extended throughout the entire Thanksgiving weekend, with online retail sales climbing by 6.3% compared to a meager 2.2%* increase for in-store sales.
Top Black Friday Statistics
The Black Friday shopping frenzy just keeps getting bigger and better each year, bringing along some truly eye-popping Black Friday stats that show how crucial it is in the retail world.
Whether you prefer to shop online or shop in-store, the data reveals trends that everyone in the retail industry can take advantage of.
Black Friday Sales Growth Over the Years
According to market analysis, Black Friday sales have shown significant growth over the past decade, with online sales reaching record highs each year. In 2020, U.S. Black Friday online sales alone surged to $9 billion, reflecting a 21.6% increase from the previous year.*
Spending analysis by year also shows a steady increase in consumer spending. In 2023, the average consumer spent $256 on Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined.* This data reflects the growing economic impact of these sales events.
Conversion Rates on Black Friday
Shopify data reveals that the average conversion rate for online stores during Black Friday is 4.3%*, significantly higher than the annual average of 2.5%, demonstrating the effectiveness of targeted promotions for holiday shopping.
Although mobile shopping is rapidly gaining popularity, desktop remains more effective in terms of conversion rates, achieving 6.5% compared to 3.2% for mobile.*
Black Friday Consumer Behaviour
A Deloitte survey indicates that 61%* of consumers planned to make Black Friday purchases in 2021, with 56% focusing on purchasing electronics and 48% targeting clothing and accessories.
Here’s a bigger picture of what American Black Friday shoppers bought in 2023*:
- Christmas presents for friends and loved ones – 62%;
- Necessary purchases (food, clothing) – 43%;
- Gifts for friends and loved ones – 42%;
- Spontaneous deal grabbing – 42%;
- Self-gifting – 36%;
- Essential purchases for the home –35%;
- Birthdays and other gifting occasions – 26%;
- “I won’t buy anything over Black Friday” –12%.
Interestingly, Black Friday is becoming increasingly less of a uniquely American phenomenon. With 15%* of global orders now being cross-border sales, its popularity is extending far beyond U.S. borders, becoming a truly global shopping event.
There’s also a push from B2C into B2B according to the latest B2B ecommerce trends.
Black Friday Sales Statistics
In 2022, Black Friday sales numbers and revenue data showed that both offline and online retail sales hit a record $31.2 billion*, with significant contributions from online purchases.
To compete with rivals, some businesses are extending Black Friday deals throughout the week, leading to a more gradual shopping rush.
This is how the interest in Black Friday sales across the week looks like globally*:
- Monday – 8.2%;
- Tuesday – 9.3%;
- Wednesday – 11.1%;
- Thursday – 20.8%;
- Friday – 33.4%;
- Saturday – 10.9%;
- Sunday – 6.0%.
Online Black Friday Sales
Online shopping continues to dominate Black Friday sales. In 2022, online sales accounted for nearly 70% of all purchases (compared to 54% in 2020), demonstrating the shift towards ecommerce.*
Mobile devices also played a crucial role, with mobile sales contributing to 54% of online revenue.*
Black Friday Shopping Statistics
A closer look into shopper demographics has shown that Generation Z was particularly active during Black Friday, with 75% planning to shop the sales in 2023. However, their spending was among the lowest, averaging $165 per person.*
Despite their enthusiasm for the sales, it’s worth noting that many shoppers, regardless of age, were left underwhelmed by the average discounts offered.
In fact, according to Black Friday vs Cyber Monday Statistics, a significant 59%* of consumers reported being dissatisfied with their shopping experience, citing unattractive discounts as the primary reason.
Furthermore, a growing skepticism towards the authenticity of Black Friday deals is evident, with 62%* of Americans believing that the discounts offered during this season are simply a marketing ploy, rather than genuine savings.
Black Friday Ecommerce Stats
Black Friday ecommerce growth is rapid and ever-changing. Online retail statistics for Black Friday indicate that 79%* Cyber Week ecommerce traffic originated from mobile phones in 2023, highlighting consumers’ preference for browsing and purchasing on the go.
This aligns with the fact that 42%* shoppers find apps more appealing than mobile websites, even for filtering products.
This shift to mobile is also likely driven by consumer desire for convenience and efficiency. Less than a third* of US consumers planned to brave physical stores for past Black Friday purchases, with nearly half citing overcrowding as a significant deterrent.
Interestingly, while social media remains a popular discovery tool for best deals (48%)*, direct website traffic saw an uptick in 2023, with almost 19%* of shoppers heading straight to company websites.
This suggests that cultivating brand loyalty and strong online visibility is crucial for capturing those looking to bypass general search engines and social media feeds in their search for the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.
Shopify Black Friday Statistics
With $9.3 billion* in Black Friday revenue, representing a 24% year-over-year (YoY) increase, Shopify merchants shattered records this BFCM weekend, demonstrating the continued strength of ecommerce.
This success translated into a record-breaking 61 million* global consumers purchasing from Shopify-powered brands, with a peak sales rate of $4.2 million per minute*.
Amazon Black Friday Statistics
Amazon’s marketplace saw a surge in activity this Black Friday, painting a clear picture of evolving Black Friday spending patterns. Small businesses in the US alone generated over $1 billion* in sales, demonstrating the massive opportunity presented by this shopping event.
While electronics reigned supreme* as the top-selling category overall, shoppers showed keen interest across a diverse range of product categories, including clothing and home & kitchen.
One of the most notable trends this year was the impressive 180%* increase in repeat purchases compared to 2022. This suggests that shoppers are becoming more comfortable making repeat purchases from brands and sellers they trust, especially during high-traffic shopping events like Black Friday.
Average Black Friday Discounts
Inflation significantly shaped Black Friday discounts in 2023, with deals increasing across nearly every category. Overall, shoppers enjoyed an average discount of 31%*, a testament to retailers’ efforts to entice budget-conscious consumers.
Let’s take a look at the most popular categories:
- Computers and phones offered the smallest discounts, averaging around 26%*;
- Furniture discounts dramatically increased, from a mere 8% in 2022 to a generous 21%* in 2023;
- Toys’ average discounts decreased from 34%* in 2022 to 27% in 2023.
Black Friday Shopping Trends
Though not completely unforeseen, Black Friday shopping trends are gaining speed:
Mobile Shopping Trends on Black Friday
Mobile shopping is on the rise, with mobile devices accounting for 54% of online sales in 2022.* This trend emphasizes the need for mobile-optimized shopping experiences to capture a significant portion of Black Friday revenue.
During the holiday season, we witnessed the impact of SMS firsthand, as well. Black Friday weekend saw a 34%* surge in messages sent as businesses used this channel to reach customers with timely promotions and offers. Moreover, in the week leading up to Black Friday, SMS message volume increased by 14.8%*.
Trends in Black Friday Advertising Spend
Advertising spend during Black Friday has seen substantial increases. In 2022, brands spent 25% more on Black Friday ads compared to the previous year, highlighting the competitive nature of the market.*
Cyber Monday Sales Influence on Black Friday
Cyber Monday has been surpassing Black Friday in recent years. In 2021, consumers spent $10.7 billion on Cyber Monday compared to $8.9 billion on Black Friday.* This trend continues to grow, with many consumers now preferring Cyber Monday deals online.
In general, online sales remain the king of BFCM sales, surpassing other shopping destinations*:
- Online – 44%;
- Grocery stores and supermarkets – 42%;
- Department stores – 40%;
- Clothing and accessories stores – 36%;
- Electronics stores – 29%.
Historical Spending Trends
Analyzing historical sales and spending trends reveals significant increases in Black Friday sales. For instance, the online sale of toys increased by 285% on Black Friday compared to a normal day, while sales of audio and electronic equipment saw a 200% rise.*
Here’s what Americans said they’ll buy during Black Friday in 2023*:
- Clothing – 48%;
- Consumer electronics – 36%;
- Shoes – 32%;
- Accessories – 27%;
- Books, movies, and games on hard copy – 26%;
- Toys and baby products – 23%;
- Household appliances – 22%;
- Body care – 21%.
Effectiveness of Email Marketing for Black Friday
Email marketing remains a powerful tool for Black Friday promotions. Campaigns targeting past purchases can significantly boost conversion rates and overall sales. Personalized emails with tailored discounts see higher engagement and purchase patterns.
Is email marketing effective during the holiday season? The open rate increased by 44%, and the click-through rate surged by 23% compared to regular email campaigns.*
Email marketing is a whole lot easier with Sender. Sign up for a free account and create a stunning Black Friday email campaign in under an hour.
Learn more about email personalization: Guide to Personalized Email Marketing.
Social Media Influence on Black Friday Shopping
Social media platforms play a crucial role in Black Friday shopping. Approximately 42% of online shoppers discover deals through social media ads and influencers.*
However, social media’s influence on Black Friday is debatable as it drives only an average of 5%* of total sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Impact of Black Friday on Small Businesses
According to holiday shopping statistics, Small businesses also benefit from Black Friday (including Small Business Saturday), with many reporting a 20% increase in sales during the Black Friday weekend.*
Top-Selling Products on Black Friday
The National Retail Federation highlights that electronics, clothing, and toys are the top product categories during Black Friday, with 57% of consumers looking for deals in these areas.*
For example, in 2022, electronics accounted for 40% of sales, followed by clothing at 25%.*
But wait, there’s more! Check out these great articles to improve your holiday marketing game:
- 22 Black Friday Marketing Strategies & Advertising Ideas for 2023
- 18 Black Friday Email Examples to Increase Sales
- 45+ Online Advertising Statistics (Facts and Figures for 2024)
*Sources:
- https://www.demandsage.com/black-friday-statistics/
- https://www.statista.com/topics/8714/black-friday-worldwide/
- https://www.activecampaign.com/blog/black-friday-statistics
- https://www.shopify.com/blog/email-marketing
- https://www.campaignmonitor.com/blog/email-marketing/cyber-monday-quick-facts-and-how-to-update-your-marketing-strategy/
- https://www.finder.com/credit-cards/black-friday-statistics
- https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/press-releases/black-friday-cyber-monday-embraced-as-consumers-seek-deals-to-stretch-their-budgets.html
- https://dotdigital.com/blog/black-friday-cyber-monday-stats/
- https://news.adobe.com/news/news-details/2023/Media-Alert-Adobe-Cyber-Monday-Surges-to-12.4-Billion-in-Online-Spending-Breaking-E-Commerce-Record/default.aspx
- https://cdn.statcdn.com/Infographic/images/normal/31282.jpeg
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/247204/online-shopping-cart-conversion-and-abandonment-rate-on-black-friday/
- https://black-friday.global/files/x-default/infographics/1-interest-in-black-friday-sales.png
- https://www.tidio.com/blog/black-friday-trends/
- https://wisernotify.com/blog/black-friday-stats/#online-vs.-in-store-sales-over-time
- https://www.shopify.com/news/shopify-merchants-drive-record-high-9-3-billion-in-black-friday-cyber-monday-sales
- https://growthdevil.com/amazon-black-friday-statistics
- https://www.mobiloud.com/blog/black-friday-statistics
