The consistency and efficiency of e-commerce – with one-click ordering and same-day delivery – is driving greater expectations of traditional retailers. How are brick-and-mortar stores adopting features of online shopping, and what digital services do people want to see on the high street?

Amazon has taken over online shopping, offering quick and easy delivery for everything from TVs to a loaf of bread. And it’s set its sights Down Under, with plans to open warehouses in order to bring Aussie customers the speedy service that many global consumers already enjoy.

David Jones may be Australia’s oldest department store, but research suggests that it has lost some of the lustre of its heyday. It's hoping a strategic overhaul led by a revamp of its food halls will help reconnect with its heritage, while establishing relevance among young shoppers.

The sun-worshipping, beach-dwelling, slow-living Australian stereotype has never been less accurate. Tech-based solutions and on-demand services are creating an expectation of convenience. But while brands cater to the speed with which Australians consume, are they at risk of sacrificing an emotional connection?