New york: US consumers spent more than $44 billion online during the five-day stretch from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday, according to Adobe Analytics. This significant increase in spending highlights the enduring appeal of online shopping during the holiday season, with this year's total reaching $44.2 billion, an 8% rise from last year's $41.1 billion.

According to Anadolu Agency, Thanksgiving Day alone saw online spending of $6.4 billion, surpassing the $6.1 billion recorded on the same day last year. Black Friday, a prime day for limited-time discounts, witnessed a record-breaking $11.8 billion in online sales, a 9% increase from the previous year.

Over the weekend, consumers continued to spend heavily online, with total expenditures hitting $11.8 billion, compared to $10.9 billion during the same period last year. Cyber Monday capped off the extended shopping weekend with $14.2 billion in online sales, marking a 7% increase from 2024.

Adobe Analytics had initially predicted online spending for this period would reach $43.7 billion, slightly underestimating the actual figure. This shopping period starts with Thanksgiving Day, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the US, and includes Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and extends through Christmas and New Year's Eve on December 31.

The holiday season is a critical time for the retail industry, widely regarded as the most lucrative period of the year for major retailers. It also serves as a barometer for the economic well-being of American consumers.