Black Friday Also Affected by Corona... 'Online Shopping Increases, Offline Halved'

Online sales increased by 21.5% compared to last year
Offline stores appear quiet
Products suited for home life, such as games, are popular

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, offline payments on Black Friday were cut in half, while online purchases broke all-time records. In the United States as well, untact (contactless) shopping appears to have strengthened following the COVID-19 situation.

According to data compiled by Adobe Analytics, Adobe's marketing data analysis solution, on Black Friday, the 27th, U.S. consumers purchased $9 billion (9.95 trillion KRW) worth of goods online. This represents a 21.5% increase in online sales compared to last year's Black Friday purchases.

Protesters mentioning issues such as climate change and referring to electronic waste generated during Black Friday shopping [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Payments made via smartphones and other devices also increased by 25.33%, accounting for 36% of transactions. This is interpreted as consumers avoiding large stores and opting for online shopping amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

While online shopping increased, offline shopping significantly decreased.

Department stores, shopping malls, and large retail outlets lost their Black Friday special sales. U.S. media outlets such as CNBC reported that, unlike previous years, areas around large stores were quiet. There were fewer lines, and shopping mall parking lots, which used to be crowded, became empty. Retail solution provider Sensormatic Solutions reported that the number of customers visiting Black Friday stores decreased by 52.1% compared to the previous year.

Shopping trends also shifted to suit staying at home, with game consoles and TVs gaining popularity. Bloomberg News and others reported that customers flocked to game stores. As people spent more time at home rather than going outside, spending on gaming-related products increased.

On the other hand, medical shopping increased. It is analyzed that spending on clothing decreased due to more telecommuting and reduced outings.