This Week in Tech (Audio) TWiT 1060: A Shortage of Shame - Why Black Friday Numbers Aren't What You Think
74 snips
Dec 1, 2025 
Join Daniel Rubino, editor at Windows Central, as he digs into the intriguing dynamics of Black Friday sales data, focusing on inflation's impact. Sam Abuelsamid, an automotive analyst, adds perspective on the troubled Ford F-150 Lightning and the complexities of the EV market. Mike Elgan explores the potential of AI technologies in shopping and the pitfalls of AI-generated content. Together, they debate the implications of AI policy in a politically charged landscape while warning of the growing influence of Chinese tech.
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Black Friday Growth Driven By Inflation
- Black Friday online sales rose mainly due to inflation, not more items sold.
- Adobe and Salesforce data show fewer units per transaction but higher average selling prices.
AI Traffic Can Be Misleading
- Retail AI tools drive traffic but start from a very low baseline so percentage gains can mislead.
- Users still rely on human reviews and real-world benchmarks for expensive purchases.
Use Neutral AI Then Shop For Price
- Use neutral AI search assistants like Kagi or Perplexity to compare products across retailers.
- Then buy from the retailer with the best price and returns, not just the platform's push.
