Retail spending stories
Britons are favouring live events and other real-world outings, with Mastercard research showing many will cut back on gadgets and streaming.
Online sales took 28.7% of the UK retail market in March, even as fuel stockpiling masked weaker underlying consumer demand.
UK health and wellbeing spend is smoothing into year-round habits, with fewer shoppers spending more and January gym spikes fading.
UK shoppers spent a record GBP £26.9bn online over Christmas 2025, as mobile purchases surged and AI-driven referrals leapt from 2024.
Monzo data shows spending on AI platforms has more than doubled to GBP £19 million in 2025, as pre-loved shopping and coffee also surge.
European consumers show cautious optimism towards AI easing Black Friday shopping, with 44% positive but 40% concerned over data privacy and personalisation.
Cost-of-living pressure has left more than two in five households stretched, with bigger festive purchases falling faster than small treats.
Brands swapping 'Valentine's Day' for personal 'Valentine' subject lines see big email gains, as generic “love” talk and “shop” prompts drag.
AI tools and online deals help drive a 5% rise in Australian Christmas retail spending, with discount and department stores surging.
AI takes centre stage in logistics as Infios predicts 2026 supply chains built for constant disruption, resilience and human‑machine teamwork.
COVID-19 has changed the retail landscape, forcing stores to adapt. As the holiday season approaches, retailers must invest in digital marketing to stand out.
Despite advancements in retail technology, only 13% of shoppers trust retailers with their personal data, Zebra Technologies' study reveals.
VARs who design solutions with today's shopper expectations in mind will be best positioned to win at omnichannel says CitiXsys ANZ's Paula Da Silva.
April online retail spending in New Zealand climbed 7% year-on-year to over NZD $3 billion annually, with international merchants seeing a 14% rise.
Festive food, drink and dining out delivered a surprise December spending lift, as households splurged ahead of Christmas gatherings.
Australian digital gift card sales hit AUD $10.9 billion, with the overall market set to reach AUD $16.8 billion by 2028, led by personalisation and B2B growth.
The report covers retail spending from Boxing Day to the back-to-school period, revealing customers holding back on discretionary spending amid rising costs.
The 2016 Consumer Issues Report shows that the number of online sales in New Zealand is increasing – but also subject to plenty of complaints.
JB Hi-Fi's New Zealand earnings halved in the latest financial year as the Australian retailer's margins shrank and sales were little changed.
Retail spending using electronic cards experienced increased in the month of June, according to new data from Statistics New Zealand.