Hello Omni Talk Fans! Anne and I hope everyone here in the States had a marvelous Thanksgiving weekend and that everyone reading this abroad also had a fabulous weekend to end November. Let’s get right to the headlines!
In today’s Retail Daily Minute:
- Black Friday 2025Â shatters records with $11.8 billion in online sales, as AI-driven traffic surges 805% and mobile dominates with 55% of purchases.
- Walmart pilots “Sponsored Prompt” ads inside Sparky, its AI shopping agent, testing new monetization strategies for conversational commerce.
- OpenAIÂ debuts shopping research in ChatGPT, offering personalized buyer’s guides powered by GPT-5 mini with nearly unlimited holiday usage.
Plus, AWS’s Daniele Stroppa stopped by to hand out this month’s retail technology company of the month award and, to honor his nomination, I also give you a quote from a film replete with symphonies, concertos, opera, et al.
👇 Listen now
1. Black Friday Reaches Record $11.8B with AI-Driven Shopping
Black Friday online spending reached a record $11.8 billion, rising 9.1% year-over-year, as American consumers increasingly used AI-powered chatbots to compare prices and find deals. AI-driven traffic to retail sites surged 805%, with nearly half of shoppers using or planning to use AI tools for holiday shopping. (Read More)
2. Walmart Tests Ads in Sparky AI Shopping Assistant
Walmart is testing advertisements in Sparky, its AI shopping assistant launched in June on the mobile app. The world’s largest retailer is exploring new ad formats, including “Sponsored Prompt,” with select advertisers. This initiative could enable monetization of chat-based shopping experiences, potentially transforming how consumers shop. (Read More)
3. ChatGPT Introduces AI-Powered Shopping Research Tool
ChatGPT launches “shopping research,” a new feature that conducts product research for users. Instead of browsing multiple sites, users describe their needs, and the tool asks clarifying questions, researches across the internet, and creates personalized buyer’s guides. Rolling out today with nearly unlimited holiday usage across all plans. (Read More)
4. Amazon Faces Federal Probe After Drone Severs Internet Cable
Amazon faces federal investigation after its delivery drone cut an internet cable in Waco, Texas on November 18. The drone’s propeller tangled during ascent after delivery, causing a safe landing. No injuries occurred. Amazon apologized and paid for repairs amid competition with Walmart in expanding drone deliveries. (Read More)
5. Primark Trials Cash-Accepting Self-Checkout in York
Primark launched a proof of concept for self-checkouts accepting both cash and card payments at its York store. The retailer introduced card-only self-checkouts in 2022, but customer complaints about limited cash options prompted this trial. The initiative aims to evaluate customer behavior and operational execution. (Read More)
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🏆 November’s Retail Tech of the Month
Be careful out there,
— Chris, Anne, and the entire Omni Talk team
Omni Talk® is the retail blog for retailers, written by retailers. Chris Walton founded Omni Talk® in 2017 and have quickly turned it into one of the fastest growing blogs in retail.