Core Insights - American consumers spent a record $11.8 billion online on Black Friday, an increase from $10.8 billion the previous year, indicating a significant growth in e-commerce during this shopping event [1][2] - Adobe projects that Cyber Monday will surpass Black Friday with an expected $14.2 billion in online spending [2] - Salesforce reported $79 billion in global spending on Black Friday, with $18 billion attributed to the U.S., reflecting year-over-year increases of 6% and 3% respectively [4] E-commerce Trends - The data from Adobe and Salesforce serves as an early indicator of broader holiday shopping trends, with Adobe forecasting total holiday spending of $253.4 billion this year, up from $241.1 billion in 2024 [3] - The influence of AI on holiday shopping is growing, with Salesforce noting that AI and AI agents influenced $22 billion in global sales between Thanksgiving and Black Friday [5] In-store vs Online Shopping - There is mixed data regarding online trends compared to in-person shopping, with RetailNext reporting a 3.4% decrease in nationwide in-store traffic, while Pass_by indicated an overall increase of 1.17% in foot traffic, and a notable 7.9% increase in department stores [6]

Market Share & Key Players - Walmart, Costco, TJX, and Amazon are consistently gaining market share at the expense of other retailers [2] - These four retailers have been dominating for years, and this trend is expected to continue [1][2] - While some specialty players like GAP, Urban Outfitters, and Abercrombie can experience a "bounce" with good performance, their overall impact is small compared to the dominant retailers [3] - The mentioned retailers are the largest in terms of both market capitalization and market share [4] Consumer Behavior & Value - Consumers understand true value and respond accordingly, regardless of retailers' promotional tactics [5][6] - Black Friday sales have been extended across multiple days, but the day remains a significant shopping day, especially when combining in-store and online sales [7] - Younger generations (Gen Z and millennials) are driving foot traffic, suggesting an experiential aspect to in-store shopping [9] Emerging Brands & Sustainability - New brands are emerging and taking market share, particularly in specialty apparel [10] - Identifying brands with a sustainable formula is challenging, as many are "one-hit wonders" [11]

Consumer Sentiment & Shopping Trends - 84% of consumers are skeptical about Black Friday pricing, believing it's inflated [2] - Over half of consumers plan to shop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday [2] - Among the 18-24 demographic, a key shopping group, this figure rises to 70% [2] - Consumers are focusing on finding deals on everyday items due to current economic conditions [3][4] - The "lipstick effect" is observed, with consumers seeking smaller, affordable luxuries [4] Retail & Payment Processing Insights - Lightseed's retail data is primarily from the US market [7] - Lightseed has observed strong performance in hospitality markets in Europe throughout the year [7] - Lightseed sees good same-store sales in bikes, sports, and outdoor apparel segments, indicating shopping activity among higher-income consumers [6]

Core Insights - Amazon's shares are outperforming the NASDAQ, with a focus on e-commerce during the holiday shopping season, particularly Black Friday and Cyber Monday [1] - The company is attempting to enhance its AI strategy with the introduction of Alexa Plus, which aims to improve user interaction and leverage its existing Echo device ecosystem [2][4] AI Strategy - Alexa Plus is designed to facilitate more natural conversations and remember user contacts, positioning Amazon to compete in the voice AI market [2] - Despite holding a 61% market share in the US smart speaker segment, Amazon has struggled to translate this into significant AI advancements, while competitors like Google have gained momentum with their TPU chips [3][5] Competitive Landscape - Alphabet's shares have surged nearly 70% this year, contrasting with Amazon's less than 6% increase, highlighting the competitive pressure in the AI space [5] - The return of Google co-founder Sergey Brin to lead AI initiatives raises questions about Amazon's ability to leverage its consumer base for AI development beyond AWS [4] Consumer Interaction - Early reviews of Alexa Plus indicate improvements in chatbot capabilities, but the real test will be its effectiveness in executing orders for household items [9][10] - There is skepticism regarding consumer usage of Echo devices for ordering, as many users report mistakes and limited engagement with the technology [8] Future Outlook - The upcoming holiday shopping season is expected to shift towards AI-driven commerce, with analysts suggesting that Amazon needs to establish a stronger presence in this area [7]

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Holiday Shopping Trends - Luxury goods are expected to see a recovery during the Black Friday season, with an increase in consumer spending [1] - In-store shopping is making a comeback, with most shoppers planning to shop both in-store and online [2] - Consumers want to touch and feel products, experience retail, and receive personalized help in-store [2] - Hybrid shopping, across multiple channels, is becoming the norm, with consumers using AI in their shopping journeys [3] AI in Retail - Approximately 50% of consumers plan to use AI during the holiday season, primarily for initial shopping research and inspiration [4] - Large language models are changing the potential shopping journey, requiring retailers to strategize for AI search [7] Retail Challenges and Strategies - Retailers have largely settled into a "new norm" regarding tariffs, absorbing some costs into their margins and passing some onto consumers [8][9] - Retailers are working to meet consumer expectations for discounts and promotions during the holiday season [9] Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) - The Buy Now Pay Later trend has stabilized, balancing with the desire for in-store shopping benefits [11]

Product Recommendations & Discounts - The industry suggests that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are optimal times for Apple product discounts, but not all deals are worthwhile [1] - The industry notes that Apple offers gift cards with purchases instead of direct discounts at its retail stores and on applecom during the sale period [2] - The industry recommends considering the iPad Mini, base model iPad with A16 chip ($279, $70 off), and Apple Pencil Pro ($99, $30 off) as worthwhile purchases [3][4][5] - The industry suggests skipping the AirPods 4 and opting for the AirPods Pro 2 ($139, $100 off) or Beats Power Beats Pro 2 earbuds ($200, $50 off) for better features and performance [6][7][8] - The industry recommends the Apple Watch SE3 ($200) for its value and essential features, or the Apple Watch Series 10 ($250) for ECG readings [10] - The industry advises waiting for a rumored budget-priced MacBook but suggests last year's 14-inch Pro model (just over $1400) or the newest MacBook Air with M4 ($750, $250 off) for immediate needs [11][12] Accessories & Additional Savings - The industry highlights Apple Air Tags (four-pack for $65) as a good gift idea, despite rumors of a new version [12][13] - The industry points out the value of Apple's 35-watt dual USBC adapter ($29, 50% off) due to the absence of included adapters with products [14] - The industry recommends exploring online shops like Custype and Bandelier for fashionable cross-body straps for iPhones, suggesting they offer better value than Apple's options with 50% off sales [14][15]

After a volatile retail earnings week, the group now heads into its next big test. Whether demand holds up beyond Black Friday. Courtney Reagan joins us now with much more on what to expect.Hey Court. >> Hi Frank. So the next five days are the most important stretch of the year for retail.Adobe says 17% of total online holiday spending will happen during Cyber Week, but physical stores remain a big part of the equation, too. The National Retail Federation predicts 186.9% million Americans will shop in some ...

Retailers gearing up for the most critical stretch of the year. It kicks off when Thanksgiving dinner winds down. Courtney Reagan joins us now with more.Where are you going to be on Friday, Courtney. That's always that's always >> I'm going to be I'm going to be at a mall. A mall in New Jersey, you know, checking out the deals, probably doing a little self-gifting along the way.It's a good time of the year to stock up. Just saying. I mean, like you pointed out, Andrew, these next five days, really truly the ...

Tariff Impact & Supply Chain - Tariffs in 2025 presented challenges for TheraBody, leading to supply chain diversification out of China and operating expense reductions [2][3] - A slight price increase was implemented, the first since the company's inception [3] - The recent tariff reduction of 10% by the administration is being immediately passed on to consumers [4] Consumer Behavior & Sales Performance - TheraBody is observing strength in new product sales, aligning with expectations [6] - Black Friday and Cyber Monday results were in line with projections [6] - The company is offering greater discounts at entry price points to maintain competitiveness [7] - Consumers are demonstrating resilience and are not compromising on wellness despite economic challenges [7][10] Wellness Industry & Product Strategy - The wellness industry is now a $2 trillion market, with Americans spending over $6,000 per person annually [8][9] - TheraBody's products are positioned within the wellness technology area, offering alternatives to pain medication [11] - The company is expanding its technology from athletes to a broader audience, including wellness facial beauty products [13] - The Face Glow Mask features 504 lights and has undergone the largest clinical study, showing results within 12 weeks [13]