Artificial intelligence (AI) drove Black Friday online sales to a record high of $11.8 billion, up 9.1% year over year. Online traffic surpassed 1 trillion, surging 805% year over year, with AI-powered chatbots assisting customers in securing the best prices amidst tariff-related price hikes.

Mastercard SpendingPulse estimated Black Friday ecommerce sales in 2025 grew 10.4% year over year, with Salesforce predicting online sales could reach $18 billion, up 3% year over year. Recommended e-commerce stocks for 2026 include Amazon.com Inc., Expedia Group Inc., Etsy Inc., Booking Holdings Inc., and 1stdibs.Com Inc., each with a Zacks Rank #1, 2, or 3.

Amazon.com Inc., a Zacks Rank #2 stock, is leveraging AI through chatbots, AI chips, and AI data centers to enhance customer experiences across various businesses, including retail, cloud, devices, and advertising. The company has introduced AI-powered chatbots, shopping agents, and generative AI services, reshaping customer interactions and expanding engagement.

Expedia Group Inc., a Zacks Rank #1 stock, is utilizing AI-powered tools like ChatGPT to personalize trip planning for customers. With strong B2B and B2C performance, Expedia offers a range of travel and advertising services, driving revenue and earnings growth rates for next year.

Booking Holdings Inc., a Zacks Rank #3 stock, is incorporating Generative AI (GenAI) to enhance user engagement, simplify travel planning, and improve booking conversion rates. Collaborations with AI leaders like OpenAI, Google, Amazon, and Salesforce strengthen the company’s innovation edge, driving long-term revenue scalability and margin expansion.

Etsy Inc., a Zacks Rank #3 stock, is partnering with OpenAI to enhance product discovery and buyer conversion through AI-driven personalization and advanced search ranking models. The platform’s technology-focused initiatives are deepening customer loyalty, driving operational efficiency, and boosting ad monetization.

1stdibs.Com Inc., a Zacks Rank #2 stock, provides an online marketplace for vintage, antique, and contemporary goods, integrating AI for users and monitoring its impact on the luxury design market. The company’s AI integration is driving revenue and earnings growth rates for next year, positioning it for future success.

Read more at Nasdaq: AI Pushes Black Friday E-Commerce Sales to a Record-High: 5 Picks