AI and mobile commerce fueled record US holiday sales

Mobile shopping and AI drive record 2024 US holiday sales, with online purchases reaching $282 billion in the United States according to Salesforce data.

Key performance metrics: The 2024 holiday shopping season demonstrated significant growth in both traditional and digital retail channels.

• Total global online holiday sales reached $1.2 trillion in 2024
• US online and non-store sales ranged between $295.1 billion and $297.9 billion
• Key shopping days showed strong performance with Thanksgiving ($6.1 billion), Black Friday ($10.8 billion), and Cyber Monday ($13.3 billion) all posting substantial figures

Mobile commerce dominance: Mobile shopping emerged as the preferred method for holiday purchases, transforming how consumers interact with retailers.

• Mobile sales accounted for $146 billion, representing nearly 60% of total holiday spending
• 69% of all transactions were completed through mobile devices
• Buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) options contributed significantly to mobile transaction volumes

AI-powered retail innovation: Artificial Intelligence tools enhanced the shopping experience through personalized recommendations and improved customer service.

• AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants contributed to 19% of total holiday sales worldwide, a 6% increase from 2023
• Usage of AI agents increased 25% during holiday months compared to September and October 2024
• Retailers leveraged AI for personalized product recommendations based on browsing history and previous purchases

Technology adoption trends: The retail sector showed increased investment in mobile and AI technologies to meet consumer demands.

• Mobile e-commerce software category experienced a 45% increase in user reviews over five quarters
• High traffic to AI Sales Assistants, Chatbots, and AI Chatbots categories indicated growing interest in these technologies
• Retailers increasingly adopted dedicated mobile apps to complement their e-commerce websites

Economic factors: A strong economic environment supported increased consumer spending during the holiday season.

• Robust job market and wage growth boosted consumer confidence
• Total holiday spending was predicted to exceed $979 billion
• Year-over-year growth ranged between 2.5% to 3.5% compared to 2023

Looking ahead: While early AI implementations in retail faced challenges with contextual understanding and ROI, the 2024 holiday season demonstrated significant progress in AI capabilities, suggesting continued evolution in how retailers leverage technology to enhance the shopping experience and drive sales growth.