Consumer spending just hit unprecedented levels this holiday season, and the numbers tell quite a story.

Black Friday shoppers dropped a staggering $11.8 billion online. That's not just big—it's a 9.1% jump from last year and officially the highest single-day sales figure ever recorded. Kevin Hassett points to rising household incomes under the current administration as a major catalyst behind this shopping surge.

But here's the kicker: even Thanksgiving Day itself pulled in $6.4 billion. People literally paused between turkey servings to hunt for deals.

What's driving this? Stronger purchasing power seems to be the key factor. When people feel financially secure, they spend. Simple economics, really. Whether it's pent-up demand or genuine economic optimism, retailers are definitely reaping the rewards.

The year-over-year growth rate suggests this isn't just a one-off spike either. We might be witnessing a sustained shift in consumer confidence and spending habits. Traditional retail metrics keep getting shattered, and that has implications beyond just holiday sales—it reflects broader economic momentum that could influence everything from employment to investment patterns across sectors.