Adobe Analytics reports indicate that despite inflation and other economic worries, online holiday sales on Black Friday in the United States reached a record-breaking $9.12 billion this year, launching a solid start to the holiday shopping season.

According to Adobe, which monitors sales on retailer websites, this year’s Black Friday online sales were 2.3% higher than in 2021. The highest increases were in electronics, innovative home technology, toys, and fitness equipment sales. Since the company’s stats aren’t adjusted for inflation, some of that growth has resulted from higher prices rather than increased volume. However, Adobe said that even with inflation considered, sales would have been more.

Customers are funding holiday purchases with their Savings and dept

According to Claire Tassin, an analyst for Morning Consult who focuses on retail and e-commerce, Americans are using credit cards more frequently and taking money out of their savings accounts to make purchases.

“We’re seeing a lot of individuals leaning on savings and loans to afford a lot of these items. Even more so than credit cards, we’re observing a lot of individuals relying on ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ services, which is sort of a fresh form of debt that American consumers are really embracing,” said the researcher.

According to Adobe, BNPL installment plans were nearly 80% higher than they were the week before. The lack of transparency and regulatory supervision in BNPL projects has drawn criticism from specific lawmakers and economists.

Cyber Monday is expected to see continued growth in online sales. According to an earlier survey from Adobe, US consumers spent a record $5.29 billion on Thanksgiving Day, up 2.9% from the previous year.

Compared to before, the holiday buying season is hugely different. Many shops started their holiday sales in early September rather than offering doorbuster deals on Black Friday. In October this year, Walmart, Target, and other retailers hosted competing sales events, and Amazon held a second Prime Day event.

Retailers have lessened the appeal of Black Friday by distributing their holiday discounts online.

Holiday sales back to pre-pandemic levels

Consumers are resuming their pre-pandemic shopping habits, and merchants anticipate a more conventional holiday season. Once more, it is anticipated that consumers would shop around significant holidays and later in the season to score discounts.

This year, inflation has caused many consumers’ budgets to be more constrained. Retailers claim that customers are becoming pickier about their purchases and cutting back on discretionary spending on specific items. According to Tassin, the number of individuals giving gift cards and cash has increased dramatically from last year. That’s probably because it’s simple for consumers to “stay on budget because they will be able to manage the amount.”

The National Retail Federation anticipates a 6% to 8% increase in holiday sales this year.