Black Friday isn't just for doorbusters and deals — a lot of people download apps, too.
That's according to a new analysis from Sensor Tower, an app analytics firm, which found that US consumers set a new single-day revenue record for the App Store, the software distribution platform for iPhones and iPads.
Apple grossed $52 million that day — of which about 70% go to the app makers, and 30% goes to Apple.
That's nearly 32% over last year's Black Friday, and even tops last year's Christmas sales.
From the analysis :
U.S. consumers spent an estimated $52 million on Apple’s App Store this Black Friday, setting a new single-day revenue record for the store. This marked an increase in spending of 31.6 percent over last year’s Black Friday, when gross revenue on the store hit an estimated $39.5 million, and 31 percent more than Christmas 2017’s $39.8 million spent, Sensor Tower Store Intelligence data shows.
What drove the sales? According to Sensor Tower, a lot of it was games. Many games offered discounts on in-app purchases and other bundles, which drew players in.
But other app categories saw big gains, too, including Food & Drink and Sports, according to Sensor Tower.
Apple doesn't disclose App Store sales, even though it is believed to be the biggest chunk of its online services business , which analysts and investors hope can keep Apple revenue and profits high as the company seems to be facing slowing or shrinking iPhone and hardware sales .
However, in early January, Apple traditionally releases a number of data points related to its App Store business . Last year, Apple said that users worldwide had made $300 million in purchases on New Year's Day in 2018, for example, and that iOS developers had earned $86 billion since the App Store launched in 2008.
Now tell us about your holiday shopping!
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