Seasonal Shopping Insights 2024: Trends in Online Spending, BNPL, and Mobile Commerce

Seasonal Shopping Insights 2024: Trends in Online Spending, BNPL, and Mobile Commerce

Top-line spend

Online retail spending is expected to hit new highs this holiday season. Adobe forecasts consumers will spend a record $241 billion online during the 2024 holidays, up 8.4% from 2023.

Spend by Month

Nov 1st – Nov 29th, 2024NovemberDecember

107.3B Total Revenue

Seasonal Shopping Insights 2024: Trends in Online Spending, BNPL, and Mobile Commerce

The holiday shopping season in 2024 has ushered in record-breaking trends, showcasing the transformative power of online retail, the growing dominance of mobile commerce, and the skyrocketing adoption of flexible payment options like Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL). Below, we present a detailed analysis of these trends using visual data representations and insights from November 1st to November 29th, 2024.

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1. Total Seasonal Spending Overview

Holiday Spending Growth (2022-2024)

YearTotal Spend ($ Billion)Growth Rate (%)
2022215+12%
2023222+3.3%
2024241+8.4%

Key Insights:

  • Online spending hit a record $241 billion, reflecting consumers’ shift to digital platforms.
  • A significant 8.4% increase from 2023 highlights robust consumer confidence despite economic challenges.

2. Mobile Commerce Takes the Lead

Mobile vs Desktop Spending (2022-2024)

YearMobile Spend ($ Billion)Mobile Share (%)Desktop Spend ($ Billion)
20228544.2%130
202310248.6%120
202412853.2%113

Key Insights:

  • Mobile shopping now dominates online spending, accounting for 53.2% of total revenue.
  • The convenience of mobile apps and faster payment options continue to drive this shift.

3. Rising Popularity of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)

BNPL Spending Growth (2022-2024)

YearTotal BNPL Spend ($ Billion)Peak Day Revenue ($ Million)
20225.2750
20236.3850
20247.6993 (Cyber Monday)

Key Insights:

  • BNPL spending increased by 20.6% in 2024 compared to 2023.
  • Cyber Monday alone accounted for a record $993 million in BNPL transactions.

4. Revenue by Key Shopping Days

Revenue Comparison by Day (2023 vs 2024)

Date2023 Revenue ($ Billion)2024 Revenue ($ Billion)Growth (%)
Black Friday9.310.4+11.8%
Cyber Monday11.312.8+13.3%

Key Insights:

  • Cyber Monday continues to be the most lucrative shopping day, with a 13.3% growth in revenue from 2023.
  • Black Friday showed strong performance, reflecting ongoing demand for discounts.

5. Discount Trends in 2024

Peak Discounts by Category (November 2024)

CategoryAverage Discount (%)Peak Day
Electronics28%Thanksgiving Day
Toys33%Black Friday
Home Appliances25%Cyber Monday

Key Insights:

  • Retailers offered their deepest discounts during Thanksgiving and Black Friday.
  • Price-conscious shoppers benefited from early October sales leading up to the peak shopping season.

6. Shipping Preferences in 2024

Order Share by Shipping Method (November 2024)

  • Standard Shipping: 50%
  • Expedited Shipping: 35%
  • Curbside Pickup: 15%

Key Insights:

  • Curbside pickup remains a preferred method for last-minute shoppers, peaking on December 22nd and 23rd.
  • Expedited shipping demand surged closer to the holidays as consumers sought timely deliveries.

The 2024 holiday season underscores a pivotal shift in consumer behavior. The dominance of mobile commerce, the expanding role of BNPL, and the strategic use of discounts have created a dynamic shopping environment. Businesses that embrace these trends, provide seamless mobile experiences, and integrate flexible payment options will thrive in this competitive landscape.

By leveraging insights like these, retailers can better understand customer needs and capitalize on the growing momentum of e-commerce during the holiday season.