Black Friday

Sensormatic Solutions, Johnson Controls’ retail‑tech arm, reported that U.S. Black Friday 2025 foot traffic fell 2.1% versus 2024, mirroring a 2.2% year‑to‑date decline. Despite the dip, traffic jumped 56.7% during Black Friday week and surged 248.9% on the day itself, peaking at 3 p.m. The “golden window” is expected to shift to the days before Christmas, as the holiday lands on a Thursday. Retailers leveraging real‑time sensor, AI, and edge‑computing analytics can optimize staffing, inventory and dynamic pricing, a strategy that helped 77% of top 2024 performers sustain success into 2025.

As the 2025 holiday season arrives, generative AI expands into consumer hardware, including smart glasses (Meta, Oakley), AI-enabled speakers (Amazon’s Alexa+ Echo, Google Home), and pendant-style AI companions (Friend). While tech giants like Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta dominate, smaller players like Plaud are also emerging. These devices offer personalized interactions and functionalities, like AI-powered assistants and real-time translation. Despite mixed initial reception, advancements in edge computing and AI chips drive the market’s potential, with Black Friday deals available on many devices.