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Wednesday report from Adobe Analytics finds online holiday shoppers spent nearly $18 billion so far

Biggest discounts of the year will show up during Cyber Week

While discounts matter, AI and social media play growing role in influencing purchase decisions

In spite of a spate of economic challenges, U.S. consumers have spent nearly $18 billion in online purchases so far this holiday shopping season, up 7.5% from the same time last year and on track for a record $253 billion for the period, according to Wednesday report from Adobe Analytics.

Adobe analysts say the strong spending rate from Nov. 1 to Nov. 23 has been driven in part by early deals but the best bargains for consumers are still ahead. For the first 23 days of the season, discounts for electronics peaked at 12%

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