Black Friday 2025 saw record online sales, with consumers spending $11.8 billion, a 9.1 percent increase from the previous year. Adobe's data reveals shoppers spent an astonishing $12.5 million every minute between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. While the numbers suggest a typical surge in holiday shopping, a deeper look shows a shift in how people are engaging with retail. AI played a significant role this year, with AI-generated traffic to retail sites surging 805 percent year-over-year. Shoppers arriving via AI assistants were 38 percent more likely to make a purchase. These tools have streamlined the process of finding the best prices across multiple retailers, making it easier for consumers to score deals. Discounts across various categories, like electronics and appliances, ranged from 24 to 30 percent. Notably, consumers shifted their purchasing habits, opting for higher-end products; the share of expensive items sold soared, with 64 percent in electronics and 55 percent in sporting goods. In essence, AI isn't just a tool for finding deals; it has transformed the shopping experience. With a combination of substantial discounts and AI assistance, shoppers are no longer just hunting for bargains. They're focused on getting the best value, which has changed the dynamics of Black Friday shopping.