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.
Join the webinar on Wednesday, October 7, at 2pm ET / 11am PT for a deep dive into the data, hosted by Brian Reitz, and led by YouGov’s retail experts Nora Hao and Kemberly 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.
During 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 Account Manager at YouGov, where she has worked for over five years, supporting clients across a range of sectors with a particular focus on retail. She brings a strong understanding of consumer trends, client needs, and the evolving market landscape, helping clients turn data and insights into meaningful business decisions.
Passionate about building connections and solving challenges, Kembly works closely with clients to develop tailored, insight-driven solutions.
