Online shopping stories

CCL urges businesses to strengthen logistics and customs compliance ahead of the festive surge, as UK online sales hit GBP £115.3bn in late 2024.

Euromonitor forecasts rising demand for comfort, authentic self-expression, cutting-edge wellness, and greater East Asian brand influence by 2026 amid global shifts.

Most Australians plan to cut festive spending in 2025, focusing mainly on gifts and food, as economic caution shapes their holiday priorities.

Ecommpay merchants in the UK and Europe report a 3-6% rise in approval rates and fewer checkout abandonments after integrating Mastercard’s Click to Pay.

Exactly.com has launched Apple Pay Express Checkout, letting UK merchants offer one-tap payments to reduce online cart abandonment and speed up sales.

Retailers are urged to boost Black Friday sales by using programmatic out-of-home ads, blending digital speed with real-world shopper impact and flexibility.

Retailers are boosting observability investments to manage AI-driven complexity and reduce costly digital outages, with median losses at USD $1 million per hour.

Norton has launched its AI-powered Scam Protection globally for all Norton 360 and mobile users, enhancing defence against scams at no extra cost.

UK retailers face rising costs and complexity as de minimis import duty exemptions end, challenging cross-border eCommerce and holiday sales.

UK shoppers now combine AI tools, social media, and peer reviews to guide online purchases, reflecting a shift from relying on single search sources.

UK consumers increasingly prioritise trust and speed in digital purchases, with 77.6% researching online before buying amid booming eCommerce growth.

UK retailers face £27 billion in annual returns costs as Aramex urges streamlined processes amid rising online shopping and return rates.

A Fixtuur study reveals 79% of furniture retailers now prefer 3D and AR over traditional photos, boosting sales and enhancing customer engagement online.

Retailers are rapidly adopting AI to personalise shopping experiences, boosting customer loyalty and handling £30bn in UK click-and-collect orders in 2025.

Nearly half of UK shoppers plan to use AI agents for holiday shopping, showing growing trust despite some security concerns ahead of the peak season.

UK shoppers increasingly accept AI for delivery updates and returns, but nearly half still prefer human support when issues arise, new research finds.

A survey shows 73% of shoppers use AI tools, raising new fraud risks and liability concerns for merchants during the rise of agentic commerce.

Australian shoppers remain wary of AI-driven retail ahead of Black Friday 2025, prioritising trust and data privacy over automated experiences.

Australians plan to spend AUD $491 on Christmas gifts in 2025, up from AUD $468, but remain focused on bargains amid rising living costs and budget caution.

Digital catalogues are reshaping Australian shopping habits, guiding store visits and planning, with 44% now preferring them over print versions.