Amazon’s record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less

Americans are projected to spend a record $26.3 billion during Amazon’s four-day Prime Day sale in 2026, but average order sizes have dropped by 17% compared to the previous year, indicating more buyers spending less per transaction. The decline reflects economic pressures like Trump-era tariffs, which reduced seller discounts while driving consumers to prioritize essentials like office supplies and books over discretionary items.