Online shopping stories

More consumers now treat generative AI as an everyday aide and even a companion, using it for routine decisions despite trust concerns.

Wesfarmers has struck a multi-year deal with Google Cloud to deploy agentic AI across Kmart, Officeworks, Priceline and OnePass stores.

AliExpress tempts budget-conscious UK shoppers away from Amazon, as new research highlights price as the dominant factor in purchases.

Online Valentine’s discounts shrink as shoppers browse earlier, research more and spread spending beyond traditional romantic gifts.

Cyber experts warn Valentine’s Day brings a surge in romance and shopping scams, urging users to be wary of links, apps and payment requests.

Creative agency 30Acres will rebuild Zulu & Zephyr’s global eCommerce platform on Shopify 2.0, with a new site launching in Q2 2026.

Amazon, Temu and Shein tighten their grip on Australian eCommerce as local marketplaces retreat and shoppers chase speed and social.

Google maps out an AI-first overhaul of ads, Search and shopping, betting on creator-led influence and emerging agentic commerce tools.

Mastercard taps Peter Schmeichel to front a UK push for tokenised Click to Pay checkouts, aiming to end manual card entry by 2030.

UK startup Sendr launches AI-personalised videos for eCommerce, claiming a 33% uplift in abandoned-cart revenue and 10x more clicks.

UK health and wellbeing spend is smoothing into year-round habits, with fewer shoppers spending more and January gym spikes fading.

UK consumers are embracing AI tools but trust is splintering, with most cross-checking search, social and brand sites before deciding.

Visa survey finds most Asia Pacific shoppers use AI to browse, but many still distrust it with payment details at online checkout.

Ramadan 2025 lifted Southeast Asia retail sales 13% as shoppers began browsing weeks earlier and stretched decisions over longer journeys.

AI shopping assistants win over UK and US consumers, but most abandon tools instantly when product suggestions feel irrelevant or pushy.

UK retailers brace for GBP £1.05bn in post-Christmas returns as fashion fit woes, social commerce and ageing habits strain logistics.

Indosat’s AI spam shield blocked 2bn risky contacts in six months, averting scam losses of about USD $500m for Indonesian users.

Wishlist app Sortd rides holiday boom with AUD $8m in sales, 96% user growth and revenue up more than 600% across peak Q4 trading.

Affirm extends Wayfair buy now, pay later to UK and Canada, offering instalment plans on higher-ticket home purchases amid tighter scrutiny.

UK shoppers value accurate parcel tracking and honest delivery updates far more than rapid shipping promises, a new Locus survey suggests.