Every November, Colombia’s internet feels a little different. Tabs multiply, wish lists grow, and friends swap links like trading cards. Black Friday 2025 was no exception, but this time the impact went far beyond new sneakers or a bigger TV.
The latest edition left clear signs that massive discount days are now fuel for Colombia’s digital economy, from online sales and payments to access to technology for millions of people.
Black Friday 2025, a shot of energy for Colombia’s digital sector
According to Habitante Siete and other outlets, Black Friday 2025 became a key date for local e‑commerce and tech businesses. Many brands saved their best campaigns for this week.
The event helped push more Colombians to try or repeat online purchases, explore digital payment options, and interact with new platforms for travel, entertainment, and services.
ComputerWeekly reports that, by the third quarter of 2025, online sales already reached COP105 billones, about US$27.6 billion, with a growth close to 11% versus 2024.
With that base, high‑impact days like Black Friday added an extra layer of movement, both in the number of transactions and in total value.
Technology and electronics, the real stars of the carts
Habitante Siete highlights that for many homes Black Friday is not only about fashion. It is the best chance of the year to buy or update tech devices that are normally out of reach.
Google data show that, in 2025, the most searched categories in Colombia included clothing, shoes, smartphones, computers, TVs, and other electronics, with strong interest in consoles and gaming gear.
Searches for terms like “smartphones,” “video game consoles,” and “scientific calculator” grew between 24% and 51% in early November, which shows how people prepared before the main day.
This trend helps close part of the digital gap, as families use discounts to improve access to devices needed for work, study, and entertainment.
E‑commerce and digital payments reached new levels of maturity
The Chamber of E‑commerce reports that, by the third quarter of 2025, digital payments like PSE transfers and wallet‑to‑wallet operations already represented more than 56% of online sales operations.
Black Friday 2025 rode on that wave. More users trusted bank apps, wallets, and secure gateways instead of cash on delivery, which made large volumes of operations easier to handle.
At the same time, companies invested in better platforms, logistics, and support to avoid the typical problems of overloaded websites or lost orders.
This maturity is one reason why big events now look less chaotic and more like well‑planned campaigns that last several days instead of a few stressful hours.
AI, personalization, and the hidden side of security
Black Friday 2025 also marked a shift in how technology supports shopping behind the scenes. Media reports note the growing use of AI agents and recommendation systems to guide choices, compare prices, and answer questions in real time.
These tools analyze browsing history and preferences to show more relevant offers, which saves time but also raises questions about data and privacy that consumers and regulators still need to watch.
At the same time, cybersecurity became a central topic. Specialists warned that the same growth that benefits shops also attracts fraud attempts, phishing, and identity theft.
Habits like checking official domains, avoiding suspicious links, and using secure networks gained visibility thanks to media campaigns and “digital security week” initiatives linked to the shopping season.
New Colombian shopping habits that are here to stay
Studies shared by Google show that 92% of connected Colombians considered buying during Black Friday 2025, and most planned their purchases weeks in advance instead of acting on impulse.
People compared prices, checked reviews, and waited for alerts from their favorite stores. Long, specific searches grew faster than short ones, which means users arrived with very clear ideas of what they wanted.
Travel also entered the mix. More than four in ten travelers started searching for Black Friday trips up to three months early, mainly for local destinations like Tolu, Cartagena, Villavicencio, and Santa Marta.
These patterns suggest that Colombia’s digital consumers are becoming more strategic, treating Black Friday as part of their yearly budget rather than a random splurge.
A shopping week that worked as a digital accelerator
Black Friday 2025 in Colombia was not perfect. There were still complaints about misleading discounts, delays, and occasional platform issues. Regulators even kept an eye on some brands based on past seasons.
Even so, the balance is clear. The event pushed more people and companies into the digital world, strengthened e‑commerce and payment systems, and opened doors for many households to access technology that improves daily life.
If future editions keep combining strong offers with better security and clearer information, Black Friday will remain less about chaos and more about a yearly “digital push” for Colombia’s economy and its citizens.