Marketplace Morning Report A spendy, splurgy Black Friday
Dec 1, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Amy Scott, a Marketplace reporter specializing in climate and agriculture, explores the intersection of solar power and farming through her visit to Jack's Solar Garden in Longmont, Colorado. She highlights the innovative practice of agrivoltaics, where elevated solar panels not only generate energy but also allow for thriving crop growth beneath. Additionally, she delves into the record-breaking $11 billion in consumer spending over Black Friday, reflecting on how AI is shaping purchasing trends during this shopping frenzy.
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Record Holiday Spending Fueled By Deals
- Adobe and Salesforce report record holiday sales, with Black Friday over $11 billion and Cyber Week projected at $78 billion.
- Mobile purchases and AI influence are growing, and electronics saw deep discounts around 30 percent.
AI And Mobile Shift How We Buy
- Salesforce expects about a fifth of global sales this week will be influenced by AI.
- Shoppers increasingly complete purchases on their phones, shifting how retailers target customers.
Buy Now, Pay Later Usage Climbs
- Buy now, pay later usage rose nearly 9 percent year-over-year on Black Friday.
- Cash-strapped consumers rely more on installment options to access holiday deals.