Holiday Spending Predicted to Reach $240B+
As we approach Thanksgiving, the holiday shopping season is already in full swing, with many consumers opting for online convenience over in-store chaos. 76% of shoppers plan to do at least half of their holiday shopping online , according to Bain & Company, making digital advertising strategies crucial for brands aiming to stand out.
A Look Back:
In Q3 2024, U.S. retail e-commerce sales reached $288.8 billion , marking a 7.5% year-over-year increase, while total retail sales grew by 2%. Retailers like Walmart and Target reported significant growth in digital sales—22% and 10.8% year-over-year, respectively—highlighting the dominance of e-commerce. Meanwhile, Amazon’s October Prime Days set records as its “biggest October shopping event ever.”
Black Friday 2023 Advertising Insights:
Black Friday has evolved into a four-day shopping marathon, encompassing Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. The rise of early-bird discounts has reshaped how brands approach the season, with 68% of consumers participating in Black Friday shopping. Data indicates that paid search campaigns continue to deliver the highest return on investment during this critical period.
Advertising Stats from 2022:
This year, brands are expected to increase investments even further. Early Black Friday reports show:
Looking Ahead:
Adobe predicts $240.8 billion in online holiday sales, with Cyber Week (Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday) expected to drive $40.6 billion of that total. Brands are embracing new ad formats, such as Amazon’s Sponsored TV Ads , showing that the focus on premium placements and video suggests brands are adapting to changing consumer behaviors.
The origin of the term "Black Friday"
The term "Black Friday" originated in the 1950s in Philadelphia, where police used it to describe the chaos caused by crowds of suburban shoppers and tourists flooding the city after Thanksgiving, ahead of the annual Army-Navy football game. The day was marked by traffic jams, packed stores, and rampant shoplifting, creating a nightmare for law enforcement. By 1961, the term had become widely used in Philadelphia, despite efforts to rebrand it as "Big Friday" to shed its negative connotations.
The term remained local until the late 1980s when retailers nationwide reframed it positively. They popularized the idea that Black Friday marked the point in the year when stores moved from being "in the red" (losing money) to "in the black" (turning a profit), transforming it into a nationwide shopping phenomenon.
Thanks,
Zack Rosenberg
Achieving the deepest level of understanding of video through AI. Get in Touch ? P.S. Want 6.8X the results from your video advertising??Learn more!
What's New at Qortex
At Qortex, we’re especially grateful this Thanksgiving week as we reflect on the power of resonance in both our work and our community. Just as studies like Kwon’s meta-analysis and Nielsen’s Turner research prove that aligning ads with their context drives +15% ad recall and +36% sales lift, we’ve seen how meaningful connections—between brands and audiences, and between our people and their purpose—create lasting impact. By leveraging AI to deliver relevance and value, Qortex has redefined how brands engage with their audiences.
This growth wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our incredible team and the unwavering support of our families and friends. Thank you for your hard work, belief in our mission, and the encouragement that fuels our success. As we continue building the future of contextual advertising, we’re deeply thankful for every person who has contributed to Qortex’s journey. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us!
Google Chrome 4 Sale?!
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has intensified its scrutiny of Google, proposing that the tech giant be forced to sell Chrome, which accounts for two-thirds of global web browsing. This comes after a judge ruled that Google has a monopoly on online search and advertising, in part due to its $41 billion in payments to make its search engine the default across browsers and devices. If the DOJ’s demands are met, Google could face sweeping restrictions, including a five-year ban on releasing new browsers and potentially selling its Android operating system. While analysts see these measures as extreme, a forced sale of Chrome would pose significant challenges for Google, whose ad and search businesses heavily rely on Chrome data.
For the broader internet, a sale of Chrome could spur more innovation and competition in the browser market, according to the DOJ. However, critics argue that divesting Chrome may lead to reduced investment in its open-source model and could impact user privacy. With Chrome valued at $23 billion and limited potential buyers—most already facing antitrust scrutiny—the future of Chrome, and its impact on Google’s business model, remains uncertain. Experts believe Google would adapt, but its dominance in shaping the internet landscape may diminish
AI Video Analytics On The Rise?
The Trade Desk announced Ventura, its own CTV operating system, signaling a major shift from its traditional buy-side focus. By creating Ventura, The Trade Desk aims to improve ad efficiency and transparency, while accessing valuable viewership data to benefit programmatic advertisers. CEO Jeff Green asserts that Ventura isn’t a sell-side play, promising no bias toward specific inventory, unlike competitors like Roku and LG. However, industry experts note potential overlaps with the sell-side, as Ventura could secure ad inventory from apps hosted on its platform. With only Sonos confirmed as a hardware partner, The Trade Desk faces challenges in gaining traction in a competitive CTV OS market.
Updates That I’m Sure Will Be in the Feed this week: