Flexible fulfillment and super-speedy delivery are taking e-commerce to new heights of convenience. From 

, waiting 3-5 business days is gradually becoming a thing of the past as brands find new ways to deliver on consumer expectations for instant gratification. The rise of Buy Now Pay Later schemes – particularly popular amongst 

 – is similarly removing friction from the e-commerce landscape, tempting more shoppers towards big-ticket purchases by offering the convenience of spreading the cost. Meanwhile, super-brands like 

 offer a one-stop destination that fulfills the majority of consumers’ needs in just a few clicks.

Automation is bringing a similar level of radical convenience to the in-store environment by cutting out pain points such as lengthy queues and clunky check-out processes. 

 launched in London in March 2021, giving UK shoppers their first taste of queue-less, grab-and-go shopping. Similarly, Berlin-based start-up 

 helps shoppers skip the check-out by scanning items with an app. And Isreali company 

 uses AI-powered computer vision and ceiling-mounted cameras to allow customers to walk out of stores without visiting a checkout, with payments and receipts settled digitally.

However, people are beginning to wonder about the hidden cost of friction-free shopping experiences. Is there such a thing as too much convenience? And if so, who loses out? As delivery windows contract, there’s a concern that ultra-convenience for consumers could come at the expense of delivery workers’ safety. Among gig economy drivers and riders, 

had been in an on-the-job accident in 2018, long before the rise of 15-minute delivery windows. And there are worries that the ease – or 

 – of online shopping could be driving 

spend more with BNPL than when shopping with a credit card, pointing to the fact that this service can encourage more reckless spending and could damage young people’s financial health.

Lockdowns catapulted grocery delivery services to success in many cities around the world, with apps like Getir, Weezy, and Gorillas offering to send goods to people’s doors in just ten minutes. But is lightning-fast delivery sustainable? And are there other ways to offer convenience without speed?

How can delivery go beyond the need for speed?

Grocery home delivery in France is in its infancy but has seen massive acceleration due to the pandemic. While it’s become more normalised, speed isn’t a strength. Cajoo wants to change that, offering Parisians groceries in as little as 15 minutes, all while matching supermarket prices.

Cajoo: super-fast grocery delivery

Retailers are turning to scent marketing to create immersive, multi-sensory experiences that draw customers in and boost sales. Scent marketing firms are helping brands craft unique fragrances, aiming to leverage the powerful role smell plays in customer behavior and creating lasting impressions.

Stores are using scents to enhance shopping experiences

By remaining attuned to niche desires and social conversations around second-hand clothing, luxury shop Sign of the Times is setting the standard for sustainable style. As fashionistas increasingly adopt pre-owned aesthetics, they’re turning to trusted curators in search of vintage hidden gems.

How Sign of the Times became a sustainable style pioneer

While 2023 saw meat consumption in the UK hit the lowest level since records began in the 1970s, sales of much-hyped meat substitutes are falling. What role is the cost of living crisis playing in people’s vegan and vegetarian choices? Will they stick to their new habits as food inflation decreases?

How the cost of living crisis impacts meat-free Britons

Hallyu is not stopping anytime soon, and neither is K-beauty. By supporting and fostering the growth of local beauty brands while also catering to the rapidly growing foreign market interested in K-beauty, Olive Young has solidified its position as the leader of the Korean beauty market.

How Olive Young globalises the quality of local K-beauty

Gen Z's attitudes towards physical retail shopping in Australia emphasise the appeal of tactile experiences and the allure of unique in-store events. How can brands effectively capture their attention throughout the customer journey as these shoppers exercise agency in purchasing decisions?

Does Gen Z in Australia still care about in-store shopping?

Erewhon has become more of a movement than a grocery store as shoppers clamor for kale chips and sea moss gummies, with some even working extra jobs to afford their purchases. What does the appeal of shops like Erewhon and Trader Joe’s say about how supermarkets can attract Gen Z customers?

What do Gen Zers really want from their grocery stores?

A potent combination of nostalgia, kitsch, and social media virality has led to one of the Philippines’ most arbitrary trends that is taking over TikTok and younger generations – the duck hair clip. How does this tie into Filipino Gen Zers' obsession with Y2K and the past?

How the duck hair clip fuels Filipino Gen Zers’ maximalist obsession

UKTikTok has introduced its 'Preowned Luxury' category within its TikTok Shop in the UK, enabling users to browse and purchase luxury fashion while remaining on the platform. As TikTok looks to expand its Shop even further, it's tapping into the growing market of resale luxury goods.  




TikTok Shop debuts pre-owned luxury category in UK

South Korean small and medium-sized fashion brands have launched a new association to crack down on counterfeit products. With IP theft posing a threat to creatives across industries, creator rights need to be protected while acknowledging the economic pressures that drive dupe culture.

South Korean fashion brands unite against counterfeits

Feeling the pinch of the cost of living, people are clinging to home cooking which they’ve mastered during the pandemic. Yet finding the right ingredients for elaborate meals can be difficult. Addressing this, Waitrose has teamed with Yotam Ottolenghi to roll out a range of unique ingredients.

Waitrose teams up with Ottolenghi to woo home cooks

Skintellectuals are becoming increasingly educated on product efficacy and are aware that tech-led devices can deliver tangible results. With AI-powered technology and being first to market for affordable devices, GESKE is helping consumers transform their skin in an era of ultra-personalised beauty.

How GESKE is leveraging tech for personalised skincare

Long associated with elderly women doing their grocery shopping, the wheelie bag is now trending as a practical shopping companion. Young city dwellers, who are often carless and shedding shame of all things embarrassing and cringe, are prioritising comfort and functionality.

Young shoppers embrace wheelie shopping bags

Dover Street Market is opening its first store in Paris in Q2 2024, ahead of the brand’s 20th anniversary. The new retail space will extend beyond fashion, offering a centre for art, communication, and community at a time when consumers want to be engaged in meaningful ways.

Dover Street Paris promises immersive retail experiences

Unilever has unveiled Wonder Wash, a product aimed at providing a better, quicker clean for the growing share of people doing quick-cycle washes. Many people are doing more frequent laundry with smaller loads and are looking for innovation to facilitate quicker cleaning.

Unilever develops detergent for quick washes

Eco-friendly brand Veja is expanding in the US and has launched its first cobbler studio in New York. Cobbling is an increasingly viable means of extending the shelf life of shoes. The increased demand for sustainable practices signals a shift in consumer culture, with purchase habits changing.

Veja opens its first American sneaker repair store

Economic challenges, marketing saturation, changing relationship patterns, and the move towards digital interaction have diminished the vibrancy and engagement usually associated with Valentine’s Day and White Day – one example of Korean and Japanese people’s fatigue surrounding ‘Day’ marketing.

Does the decline of White Day prove people are getting tired of ‘Day’ marketing?

‘Sari-sari’ (literally, ‘variety’) stores remain staples in Filipino neighbourhoods despite the rise of convenience stores. They balance affordability and accessibility with modernisation and adapt to changing needs by providing reasonably priced essential goods, making them a pillar in the country.

Why Filipino neighbourhood ‘sari-sari’ shops flourish amid convenience stores

Furniture company Dowel Jones champions Australian-made furniture and embraces authenticity amid new market dynamics. The brand’s pillars of durability, timeless design, and emotional resonance effectively negotiate what it means to do functional design in the modern day.

How Dowel Jones puts fun in functional Aussie furniture

Three major UK fast-fashion retailers have signed an agreement to present 'only accurate and clear green claims' about their products. With people becoming increasingly concerned about greenwashing, brands should be aware that these plans can build trust, but they can also be met with scrutiny.

UK fast fashion brands commit to ethical codes

M&S is investing £1 million in changing the diet of milk-producing cows to cut the amount of methane they release. As people demand greater environmental action from corporations, companies are implementing changes across their production and supply chain practices to show their commitment.

M&S target cows' diets to tackle methane emissions

Xydrobe has announced Harrods as the first retail partner for its multi-sensory VR cinema, providing a diverse program of tactile, immersive experiences. With audience expectations around experiential shopping increasing, digital integrations can enhance storytelling and community engagement.

Harrods to offer multisensory VR experience for shoppers

Wyn Beauty is a sports-backed cosmetics brand recently launched by tennis champion Serena Williams. With the cosmetics space increasingly dominated by celebrities, Wyn Beauty aims to go beyond mere aesthetics and create functional products that cater to active, on-the-go lifestyles.

Wyn Beauty meets needs of functional-first beauty buffs

Timepieces have evolved from utility to self-expression, fuelling major growth in the luxury watch market led by younger consumers. The industry is being reshaped by Gen Z and Y buyers who prioritise individuality and sustainability. How can watchmakers merge tradition with consumer demands?

How will consumer trends affect timepieces in 2024?

According to new research by PYMNTS, Boomers are the most likely generation to pay for everyday items – from yoga classes to coffee pods – via subscriptions: 92% of respondents said they've embraced them. This hints at new opportunities to service this demographic while ensuring safety and security.

Boomers use more subscription services than Gen Y

In an ageing country with fewer kids per capita than ever, South Korean adults are willing to spend money on the kids that do exist in their lives, driving a booming childrenswear industry. What’s shaping Gen Alpha’s fashion choices in their formative years, and what should brands watch out for?

Why are so many South Korean Gen Alphas wearing luxury clothes?

Naver, South Korea’s biggest search engine, has created interactive shopping experiences and a thriving online community. Through its combination of group-buying, live e-commerce, and AI-generated ads, it continues to make exciting improvements that keep it at the top of the game in South Korea.

How Naver decodes Korean shoppers’ online lifestyles

LEGO has partnered with KultureCity for Autism Awareness Month, offering sensory bags to autistic shoppers in stores. The bags, filled with practical tools that help to make stores more enjoyable for neurodiverse LEGO fans, promote empathy through play and creative, inclusive spaces.

LEGO supports autistic shoppers with sensory goody bag

Despite a number of incentives and charges, studies show that French households are producing more trash. The failure of current measures shows the critical need for companies to spearhead sustainability initiatives that focus on reducing waste in the pre-production stage.

French household rubbish rises despite incentives

Poor economic conditions, shifting work arrangements post-pandemic, and political headwinds are changing Americans' feelings about social class. Canvas8 spoke to eight of them to find out how their class identity is becoming more fluid, and how this is shaping their decisions.

Is class still important to American identity?

‘Budol’ culture is a phenomenon that influences Filipinos to shop online impulsively because of social media trends and recommendations from friends. While this can promote a sense of community among buyers with the same preferences, it can also lead to overspending and mindless purchases.

How ‘budol’ culture makes Filipinos overspend

With over 20 million active shoppers, same-day delivery, and recent expansion into the luxury market, Coupang is South Korea’s answer to consumers’ hyperconnected demands. As online shopping overtakes traditional shopping, speed becomes the currency for the satisfaction of Korean shoppers.

How Coupang delivers Korean demands at lightning speed

In 2021, IKEA opened its largest branch in the world, right in the heart of Metro Manila. Despite reeling from the effects of the pandemic, its successful run is a masterclass in how brands can capture the tastes of the minimalist, sustainability-minded Filipino homeowner.

How IKEA designs curated spaces for Filipino minimalists

Boutique grocery stores, including those run by brand giants, are popping up more and more in the inner cities of Australia amid an anti-supermarket sentiment. The question is, how did this happen, and are Aussies buying the cost of convenience and bougier atmosphere these places are offering?

Behind the success of boutique grocery stores in Australia

Limited-edition releases have been a long-standing marketing strategy that appeal to our psychological triggers, tapping into our desire for exclusivity and a niche community. How are brands enticing consumers’ desires through rare product releases and tech advancements?

What’s driving the desire for limited-edition products?

In a global campaign, Eastpak shines the spotlight on the creativity and resilience of live action role-play (LARP) communities. No longer viewed as a siloed form of entertainment, there's an opportunity for brands to tap into the power of niche subcultures and garner authenticity.

Eastpak campaign taps into creativity of LARP culture

The 2024 Generational Snapshot of Generation Y in the Asia-Pacific region explores how a move towards purposeful living and stable life has Gen Ys spending with more intention, taking care of their health and overall wellness, and enjoying the freedom that comes with not having children.

2024 APAC Gen Y Snapshot

Snap has announced the return of its AR Ramadan mall, complete with new features to heighten the immersive retail experience during the festive season. It’s an example of successful localisation that goes beyond product to become an integral companion in the everyday lives of local customers.

Snap uses AR to bring Ramadan shopping to life

In a first for the brand, MCM has launched a Ramadan-themed capsule collection. While Eid and Ramadan will continue to be important moments for luxury brands to show up, the growing buying power of Muslim shoppers means they’ll be expecting localisation to be the norm rather than a novelty.

MCM debuts Ramadan capsule collection 

Target’s loyalty program is expanding, introducing a tiered system with features that rival similar offerings from Amazon and Walmart. The move meets consumer demand for faster, more affordable, and more convenient shipping options, a space that Amazon Prime has largely dominated.

Target expands loyalty program to meet shipping demands 

Gentle Monster is more than a sunglass store with colossal robots. Its rich, immersive brand narrative is a survival tool for the future of luxury retail. Through experiential stores and experimental accessories, it highlights the power of quality experiences that stand out to the fashion-forward.

Why Gentle Monster turns Korean shades into mod spectacles

While budget concerns are seeing luxury buyers turn to pre-owned items, challenges persist as they seek foolproof authentication to verify the hidden gems they’ve discovered. Canvas8 spoke to seven Britons to explore their affinity towards resale platforms for high-end goods.

Why are Britons buying pre-owned luxury?

Resale platforms are a staple of the contemporary shopping experience, but do people trust them enough to splurge on luxury goods? Canvas8 spoke to five Americans about the pros and cons of buying high-end items second-hand, and whether they’d ever switch back to buying new from a brand.

Why are Americans buying pre-owned luxury?

Pinterest users are actively using the platform's inclusive filters that diversify search results, especially Gen Zers. As younger generations continue to look for more personalised content, tech-enabled tools for equitable representation are becoming ingrained into their daily digital lives.

Pinterest's inclusive AI seeing uptick in Gen Z usage

Klarna's AI assistant managed two-thirds of customer service chats in its debut month, showing efficiency and customer satisfaction. The trend towards AI customer service reflects a preference for quick, accessible support, alongside a debate on AI's impact on jobs and service quality.

Klarna celebrates AI handling the majority of customers

For decades, Calvin Klein has seemingly had its finger on the pulse of culture, casting celebrities of the moment to front its often controversial campaigns. While the brand boasts plenty of expertise in generating buzz via advertising, how is it trying to capture the attention of Gen Zers?

Why Calvin Klein poses its legacy using the erotic gaze

Minimalist styles dominate the global furniture market, led by Swedish brand IKEA, which Japanese brand Nitori wants to challenge. In their current battleground, Southeast Asia, Nitori attempts to get ahead by tapping into locals’ preferences for more practical and convenient living.

Why Nitori builds utilitarian spaces for SEA homemakers

Veja's Paris store focuses on sustainable fashion, offering repairs and products to increase longevity. It embodies ethical consumption trends, reflecting values important to today's consumers, who prioritise environmental and social impacts and durability in their purchasing decisions.

Veja brings sneaker repairs to the shop floor

EmSphere offers an unparalleled futuristic experience by blending lifestyle, shopping, and a seamless online-offline experience under one roof. The mall caters to distressed locals and returning tourists in search of greener spaces to socialise and be entertained in the heart of the capital.

Why EmSphere blueprints the future of Thai shopping

According to a report from The Business of Fashion, the sneaker resale market is in steep decline. This reflects a shift from exclusivity to accessibility, and consumer preference for value and innovation – signalling broader trends in fashion towards authenticity and sustainability.

Sneaker hype culture declines amid taste change

AI-powered stores are now the future of shopping, the ultimate benefit being to save costs on staff, reduce unnecessary discounts, reduce waste, and encourage further sales. But what is the impact of such efficiencies on shoppers – and are these changes always welcome from a customer’s perspective?

How AI-powered stores are changing shopping

The market for engagement rings for men is booming as people look to more expansive models of masculinity. This trend speaks to a wider challenge to the traditionally gendered roles assigned within heterosexual partnerships, as well as eroding expectations of rigidly masculine style choices.

The sales of men-focused engagement rings are booming

Festival season is a buyer’s market for fashion-forward Indian consumers, with much of the spending on textiles, garments, and jewellry. International brands are taking notice of the growing appetite of India’s affluent classes for luxury and responding with collections to satisfy their tastes.

For affluent Indians, festival season is an excuse to spend more on luxury

Lowe's Style Studio on Apple Vision Pro is a VR experience that aims to simplify the kitchen design process. The move aligns with the demand for AI/VR-enabled shopping experiences while also addressing the demand for personalized living spaces that better reflect people's interests and styles.

Apple Vision Pro elevates kitchen design at Lowe's

Hestia Cigarettes is leveraging online influence and word-of-mouth marketing to appeal to modern smokers. By harnessing the power of UGC and leveraging the rebelliousness and nostalgia many young Americans have adopted, it has positioned itself as a cult brand and ‘cool’ alternative to vaping.

How Hestia became a cult brand among modern smokers

E-commerce giant Meituan has launched an in-app feature that helps customers avoid last-minute shopping during Chinese New Year. As super apps become ubiquitous, there’s an opportunity to help ease customers’ mental load and enable them to stay present in the everyday occasions that truly matter.

Meituan makes Chinese New Year a stress-free celebration

Since its launch in 2022, Temu has become popular among online shoppers in the US. However, the platform’s gamified shopping experience could be taking advantage of its most committed patrons, Gen Xers and Boomers. Already distrustful, people expect brands to provide equitable customer service.

Temu’s gamified shopping can confuse older users

DoorDash is using its Super Bowl ad to shake up its reputation as a simple delivery service in favour of bringing anything and everything to its customers. With the promise of a monumentally big giveaway for one lucky winner, the brand is catering to rising consumer expectations in a big way.

DoorDash upgrades its promises with Super Bowl giveaway

As the Year of the Dragon approaches, sales of dragon-themed products have seen explosive growth on e-commerce platforms in China. The traditional cultural symbol of good luck and prosperity is resonating particularly with young consumers, who are driving the country's guochao movement.

Chinese buyers drive sales of dragon-related products 

A study found generational differences in Lunar New Year spending in Southeast Asia, along with family members taking the lead in shopping. The report highlights how brands have the opportunity to be attuned to specific demographics and their needs by paying close attention to family dynamics.

New family dynamics emerge from Lunar New Year report

Lunar New Year has varied celebrations across Southeast Asia, though a focus on food, reunions, and prosperity traditions are common. E-commerce plays a vital role in shopping surges, with Gen Z emerging as a pivotal market in the region, leading the evolution of consumer behaviour.

How the Lunar New Year drives shopping among Southeast Asia's Gen Z

Global e-commerce marketplace Etsy has launched Gift Mode, an AI-powered tool that provides personalised recommendations for gift purchases within the platform. As consumer expectations of online retail experiences grow, both shoppers and retailers are using AI to enhance customer journeys. 

Etsy's AI-powered tool personalises gift giving

According to industry experts, adults shopping for themselves drove an outsize portion of toy sales in 2023. Many grown-ups are buying analogue toys for their nostalgic appeal, collectability, and use for offline social play – leading the industry to factor ‘kidults’ into their plans for the future.

'Kidults' are leading toy sales despite inflation

By creating in-store immersive shopping experiences, collaborating with brands that share its ethos, and focusing on retail moments that extend the customer journey, Anthropologie is a perfect example of a brand expanding its universe to engage current consumers and invite new ones.

How Anthropologie taps into people’s lifestyle needs

Farm Rio has grown from its market stall roots in Rio de Janeiro into one of fashion’s most promising up-and-coming brands. As shoppers look for sustainable, serotonin-boosting brands that showcase their cultural roots, Farm Rio injects fun and personality into their wardrobes.

How Farm Rio brings dopamine dressing to fashionistas

Gen Zers are driving an unlikely resurgence of the shopping mall as a social destination, rejecting online shopping for IRL discovery. Many young people, beginning to understand the downsides of a digital-first existence, are turning towards physical experiences for connection and convenience.

Gen Zers drive the shopping mall rebirth in the US

Shopping

People expect ultra-convenience, but at what ethical cost?

The modern shopper is used to having what they want, when they want it – which usually means ASAP. From the rise of 15-minute grocery delivery to seamless in-store shopping and BNPL flexible payments, people are seeking ever-more sophisticated shopping models. But as people grow conscious of the dark underbelly of the gig economy, their demands for convenience could clash with ethical expectations.

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