Can AI Improve Your Gift-Giving Skills?
Recent polling of 2,000 adults across the US reveals that around one in three people find AI to be a helpful assistant when they’re shopping. Interestingly, over half (57%) of those surveyed currently utilize AI tools for their shopping needs.
A notable 34% of participants admitted they turn to AI for gift suggestions during the holiday season.
In fact, 74% of respondents believe that leveraging AI can enhance their gift-giving abilities. A fairly large segment—about 32%—trusts AI to provide better advice than friends and family. Additionally, many noted that AI excels at finding the best prices (38%), providing product links (37%), and brainstorming gift ideas (35%).
According to a study by Talker Research, commissioned by Usertesting, AI is just one factor influencing how shoppers gear up for the holiday rush in 2025.
For this year, 62% of respondents plan to shop on Black Friday, with 16% specifically taking advantage of Black Friday deals for their holiday purchases. This marks an increase compared to a similar study in 2022, when only 55% were interested in shopping during Black Friday.
Meanwhile, 56% intend to participate in Cyber Monday, though only 10% plan to shop solely on that day. There’s been a slight decline in interest for Cyber Monday since 2022, when 66% engaged in those sales.
Millennials appear to be the most keen on Cyber Monday at 61%, whereas Gen Z, often seen as the online-savvy generation, shows a higher tendency to shop during Black Friday at 77%.
When it comes to spending habits, most shoppers plan to stick to their previous levels this year (43% for Black Friday and 47% for Cyber Monday). However, 39% of Black Friday shoppers and 30% of Cyber Monday shoppers anticipate spending more than they did last year.
This year could see increased spending on Black Friday, with projections around $449 compared to $423 last year. Yet, shoppers are voicing concerns over the economy, citing factors like inflation (43%) and tariffs (31%) as potential obstacles.
Other worries include navigating crowds (35%), product availability (27%), shipping times (26%), and issues with fraud (22%). “Every year, holiday shopping can feel increasingly challenging, and consumers are looking for ways to streamline the process,” said Bobby Mechner, VP at Usertesting. “Everyone wants to be better gift-givers without overspending, and that’s likely why AI tools are becoming more popular.”
In the survey, nearly a quarter (23%) expressed that inflation or tariffs will significantly affect their holiday shopping this year. Consequently, 59% of holiday shoppers plan to spread out their holiday spending to avoid overspending and manage crowds more effectively.
Many are planning to start their holiday shopping at least a month before Black Friday, with 59% already budgeting for it. Additionally, about 14% reported having begun their holiday shopping more than four months in advance.
Some respondents are aligning their holiday shopping mindsets throughout the year, with a third believing that purchasing patterns remain fairly consistent. When it comes to this holiday season, low shipping costs (41%) and convenient options like in-store pickups and overnight delivery (10%) stand out as priorities for shoppers.
“Concerns about holiday shopping this year appear to be widespread,” Meixner continued. “With inflation and tariffs anticipated to influence spending, consumers are adjusting by planning their purchases carefully. Retailers and brands need to be aware of how shoppers are navigating their finances this holiday season.”
Research Method: The Talker survey examined insights from 2,000 American adults, commissioned by Usertesting between September 8th and September 16th, 2025, and conducted online by Talker Research.
