Preliminary survey research suggests that Black Friday and Cyber Monday interest remains stable with previous years. However, retailers and their agencies should still prepare for change, as AI is expected to play a larger role in the shopping experience in 2026.
Drawing on daily consumer surveys, YouGov’s U.S. Black Friday & Cyber Monday outlook webinar will explore how U.S. consumers plan to use AI for their Black Friday & Cyber Monday shopping.
Rewatch the webinar for a deep dive into the data, hosted by Brian Reitz, and led by YouGov’s retail experts Nora Hao and Kembly Henderson. They’ll analyze the key trends year-over-year and uncover how consumers plan to use AI to assist in their shopping this year.
The session will explore:
- Who plans to shop and how much they’ll spend this season
- Generational breakdowns to sharpen your targeting
- How using AI for shopping in the U.S. compares to 18 other countries
- The role of AI in shaping consumer expectations and shopping experiences
- Which brands generated the most buzz last Black Friday
Speakers
Brian Reitz, Head of Marketing, Americas & Podcast Host, YouGov
Brian Reitz serves YouGov’s Head of Marketing, Americas, leading on and supporting strategic marketing initiatives. He also runs Reality checks, YouGov’s survey-inspired podcast, He has hosted radio shows and podcasts for 15+ years, graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism, and performs stand-up comedy in Chicago in his spare time.
Nora Hao, Sr. Director, Enterprise Accounts, YouGov
Nora Hao is Sr. Director of Enterprise Accounts at YouGov America, with over 16 years of experience within the media, social, research, and ad-tech space. She excels in identifying unique growth opportunities and implementing sustainable strategies that foster strategic partnerships and drive new business acquisitions.
At YouGov, Nora leads new business development efforts across Retail, Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) and Quick Service Restaurants (QSR), providing accurate and trusted data-driven insights that empower brands to thrive in competitive markets.
Kembly Henderson, Account Manager YouGov
Kembly Henderson is an Account Manager at YouGov, where she has worked for over five years, partnering with clients across a range of sectors with a particular focus on CPG. Complementing her work with CPG clients, her background in distribution gives her a unique perspective on the connections between consumers, brands, and retailers and the market dynamics shaping each.
Her experience provides a strong foundation for understanding evolving consumer behaviors and how those shifts impact the broader CPG and retail landscape. Passionate about building strong partnerships and solving complex challenges, Kembly works closely with clients to develop tailored, insight-driven solutions that support their business and growth objectives.
