BMW climbs the podium this week with another major safety recall, Volvo EV issues continue

         Ford (6)
    BMW (4)      Volkswagen Group (4)
    Contenders: Volvo (3), Hyundai (2), Bentley (2), Blue Bird (2)
      

The shopping tools and timing tricks that actually worked in 2025

• Planning beats panic. Shoppers who timed purchases around major deal days and used price alerts paid less than last-minute buyers.

• Tools save money when used carefully. Mobile apps and AI helped surface deals, but smart shoppers still double-checked prices and details.

• Flexibility needs limits. BNPL and easy returns worked best for shoppers who used them intentionally, not impulsively.

U.S. consumers set a new record for online holiday shopping during the 2025 season, with total e-commerce spending reaching $257.8 billion from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 a 6.8 % increase from the year before.

This Adobe Analytics data not only highlights broad spending trends but offers insights that every holiday shopper (and deal-seeker) can use to shop smarter, save money and avoid common online pitfalls.

1. Plan for key sales days but dont wait too long

Adobes data showed that the spike in online spending was heavily concentrated around what retailers call Cyber Week (the days from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday), but strong deal activity also spread throughout November and December.

Smart tips:

• Try to map your gift list specifically to Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Electronics and small appliances on Black Friday, clothing and smart devices on Cyber Monday.
• Use price-tracking tools like camelcamelcamel or Honey to alert you when prices drop so you make sure you always get the lowest price.
• Sign up for retailer email lists and mobile alerts (Target Circle, Walmart+, etc.) so youll catch the deals early before stock runs out.

2. Use mobile tools but check before you buy

For the first time ever, more than half of all online holiday purchases (56.4 %) were made on smartphones. Christmas Day itself saw 66.5% of all sales made via mobile as most stores were closed.

That means shoppers were relying on mobile deal notifications, shopping apps and quick checkouts. All of which were heavy drivers during the entire holiday shopping season.

Smart tips:

• Download retailer apps (Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy) and turn on push notifications for flash sales.
• Depending on what youre buying, consider switching to a desktop or a larger screen to double-check details like size, color, and shipping timelines. Ordering mistakes happen much easier on small screens.

3. Embrace smart tools like AI and deal assistants

Adobes analysis found a 693 % surge in traffic from generative AI tools. Shoppers were using AI assistants and search tools more than ever to research products, compare prices and find the good deals.

Smart tips:

• Try ChatGPT, Googles shopping, or Bing Shopping to help narrow your buying options and surface any deal or coupons that can save you money.
• Im a huge fan of asking AI to compare products side-by-side. For example, try things like Compare air fryer deals under $150 which will narrow down your choices quickly.
• Also, use AI to find coupon codes, historical pricing trends, and bundle offers you might otherwise miss. Chat GPT does a pretty good job find coupons when you ask it things like find any coupon codes for Lands End.

4. Take advantage of flexible payment options carefully

The report also found that Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services hit a milestone of $20 billion in holiday purchases, up nearly 10 % from the prior season, with BNPL increasingly used for electronics, apparel and furniture.

Smart tips:

• If you use BNPL (like Affirm, Klarna, Afterpay), be sure to check fees and interest terms before checkout.
• Only use BNPL for items you would buy anyway. Keep in mind that spreading cost out over time can be dangerous if it leads to impulse buys.
• Set calendar reminders for payment due dates so you avoid late fees.

5. Shop with a returns and warranty plan

Adobe found that returns were down 1.2 % overall, though late-December returns spiked just after Christmas.

A planned return strategy can mean you dont overspend or get stuck with unwanted gifts.

Smart tips:

• Read return policies carefully when buying from a store youre not familiar with. Free returns with prepaid labels are obviously ideal as we enter a world where more stores are charging for returns.
• Save confirmation emails and order histories so you can act quickly if return windows close fast after the holidays.

When buying big-ticket items like tech and appliances, be sure to check the warranty details when comparing one product or brand against another. A solid warranty is worth paying a bit more for if everything else is equal.

A federal probe of Fed Chairman Jerome Powell blindsided investors

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Gold surged to a new all-time high, breaking its previous record as investors poured money into the traditional safe haven.

• Economic uncertainty, geopolitical tension, and expectations of lower interest rates combined to fuel the rally.

• Central bank buying and a weaker U.S. dollar added further momentum to golds climb.

Gold prices are starting the week by hitting a new record high, underscoring the metals enduring role as a refuge during periods of uncertainty and financial stress. The latest source of stress is news that the U.S. Justice Department has opened a criminal probe of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

In a statement, Powell said the investigation is an attempt to influence Fed policy.

The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President, Powell said.

News of the investigation sent the price of gold to more than $4,600 an ounce, adding to 2025s significant gains.

Other factors

Another driver behind golds surge is growing uncertainty about the global economy. Slower growth in major economies, persistent inflation concerns, and signs of strain in commercial real estate and sovereign debt markets have made investors more cautious. In times like these, gold often benefits as a store of value that is not tied to the performance of any single government or financial system.

Expectations around interest rates have also played a crucial role. Markets increasingly believe that major central banks, particularly the U.S. Federal Reserve, are nearing the end of their tightening cycles and may begin cutting rates later this year. Lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding gold, which does not pay interest, making it more attractive relative to bonds and cash.

Geopolitical tensions have added another layer of support. Ongoing conflicts, trade disputes, and political instability in several regions have heightened demand for assets perceived as safe during crises. Gold has historically benefited from such periods of uncertainty, and the current environment is no exception.

Supply and demand

Central bank activity has further reinforced the rally. Many countries, especially emerging markets, have been increasing their gold reserves as a way to diversify away from the U.S. dollar and reduce exposure to geopolitical risks. This sustained institutional demand has tightened supply and helped push prices higher.

Finally, currency movements have worked in golds favor. A softer U.S. dollar makes gold cheaper for buyers using other currencies, boosting global demand. Combined with steady investment inflows through exchange-traded funds and physical purchases, these factors have propelled gold to uncharted territory.

Whether gold can maintain these record levels may depend on how economic data, interest rate policy, and global events unfold. For now, its rise reflects a world grappling with uncertaintyand investors continued faith in gold as a timeless financial shelter.

Consumers will be able to buy Walmart and Sams Club products directly inside Gemini

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Walmart and Google are teaming up to bring shopping directly into Googles Gemini AI, combining Geminis intelligence with Walmart and Sams Clubs vast assortment, value and convenience.

• The new experience uses the Universal Commerce Protocol to surface relevant Walmart and Sams Club products inside Gemini conversations, with personalized recommendations and seamless checkout for linked accounts.

• Fast, local fulfillment is central to the plan, with delivery available in as little as 30 minutes for hundreds of thousands of curated items.

Artificial intelligence is influencing just about every aspect of life, including shopping. For example, Walmart and Google have just announced plans to launch a new AI-powered shopping experience that aims to change how consumers discover and buy everyday products.

The collaboration will embed Walmarts retail ecosystem directly into Googles Gemini app, allowing shoppers to move from inspiration to purchase without leaving the AI assistant.At the core of the initiative is what the companies describe as a shift toward agent-led commerce.

When users ask Gemini for help such as advice on camping gear for spring the AI will automatically surface relevant Walmart and Sams Club products, both online and in-store. Because Gemini supports ongoing, conversational interactions, shoppers can refine their needs and see additional product recommendations throughout the exchange.

A personalized experience

Personalization is a major focus of the new experience. Customers who link their Walmart or Sams Club accounts will receive recommendations based on previous online and in-store purchases. Gemini will also be able to suggest complementary items, merge new finds with existing carts, and apply benefits tied to Walmart+ and Sams Club memberships all within the familiar Walmart environments shoppers already use.

Speed and convenience are another pillar of the partnership. Walmart said customers and members will be able to choose when and where items are delivered, with hundreds of thousands of locally curated products available for delivery in under three hours, and in some cases as fast as 30 minutes.

The transition from traditional web or app search to agent-led commerce represents the next great evolution in retail, said John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart U.S. We arent just watching the shift, we are driving it. Partnering with Google to bring the Walmart experience directly into Gemini is another step toward creating seamless shopping experiences that are more intuitive and personal than ever before.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the partnership highlights how artificial intelligence can streamline the entire consumer journey.

AI can improve every step of the consumer journey, from discovery to delivery, Pichai said. Walmart is an innovator in retail and we are excited to partner with them on a new open standard to make agentic commerce a reality. Customers will soon be able to experience everything they love about Walmart directly in the Gemini app.

The new Gemini-based Walmart experience is expected to launch first in the United States, with international markets to follow.