Salesforce reports online spending surged 3% to a record $1.2 trillion during the holiday season, with U.S. sales increasing 4% to $282 billion. Key shopping days saw impressive growth, including Black Friday's $74.4 billion in sales, up 5%, and Cyber Monday's $49.7 billion, a 3% increase. However, the report highlights a concerning rise in returns, with consumers recouping $122 billion—up 28% from last year. AI-driven tools played a significant role, influencing $229 billion in holiday spending through personalized offers and support, indicating their growing importance for retailers in 2025.