Online shopping stories
Households are splurging on snacks, screens and merchandise as the AFL, NRL and NFL finals drive watch party demand online.
As AI agents begin handling purchases and deliveries, retailers face tougher questions over identity, authorisation and trust.
Millions of merchants and shoppers stand to feel the impact as Shopify rebuilds its mobile apps in Swift and Kotlin after AI tools cut duplication costs.
Retailers could cut setup time for AI shopping tools, as Anthropic's blueprint targets quicker deployment and tighter control over checkout flows.
Online gifting shoppers across six Asia-Pacific markets should see fewer checkout errors as Limitless Technology shifts to one payment provider.
Research suggests Black Friday loyalty offers can turn one-off bargain hunters into repeat customers, with 54% open to joining programmes.
AI recommendations are already lifting basket sizes and pushing shoppers towards pricier goods, especially among Gen Z consumers.
Retailers could cut support costs and speed refunds as AfterShip's new AI agent automates delivery issues and return reviews.
Retailers risk losing Gen Z buyers quickly, as 43% have switched brands over AI use despite widespread adoption of recommendations.
Brands risk being overlooked by AI shopping agents after M11 Labs found 47% of skincare brands lacked independently verifiable evidence.
Only 23% of US consumers trust generative AI to pay, but 61% would let Visa handle agent-led transactions, a survey found.
New Zealand users risk fake login pages and scam sites after ChatGPT search results were found pointing to unsafe links and downloads.
UK retailers could miss the mark on digital spending, with shoppers valuing reliable basics such as pricing and returns over flashier AI tools.
The Birmingham eCommerce firm is eyeing overseas growth after two record years and a Shopify Premier Partner nod boosted its profile.
The rollout could spare non-smartphone users from being left behind, while privacy safeguards and encrypted storage aim to keep hackers out.
Unresolved fraud is eroding confidence in Southeast Asia's digital economy, with scam victims often switching providers after losses.
Most of it sits outside mainstream banks, with 6 million children aged eight to 15 holding cash, accounts, apps or piggy banks.
Privacy worries are undermining retailers' AI push, with only one in 10 UK shoppers saying they trust product recommendations, a survey found.
Shoppers could save time hunting discounts as Maple Deal Global adds verified offers from multiple markets to one site, with purchases elsewhere.
Most UK consumers will let AI shop around, but few trust it to pay without approval, with the average limit set at GBP £149.12.