Speed and convenience have become the consumer norm. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, when people worldwide were introduced to instant access to goods and services via apps and digital platforms, the supply and demand considerably grew and splintered. The 'I need it now' culture shows no signs of slowing down, ye...

Today, audiences are shaping the cultural agenda. Empowered to speak up for the causes they believe in, people are actively calling out brands they see as inauthentic. What are the main drivers of this behavioural shift? And how can brands win the trust of these outspoken advocates?

The mainstreaming of AI is setting a new precedent for how people relate to non-human sources of intelligence. While automation on a consumer level has typically focused on specific tasks like replying to emails or budgeting, it’s now swiftly expanding to a more dynamic range of applications.

Whole Foods stores in the US will soon allow customers to pay via the Amazon One palm payment system. As biometric payment options gain traction around the globe, this launch sparks questions about the privacy of consumers who want more convenient retail experiences without giving up their safety.

Shoppers at two Carrefour locations in Dubai can use facial recognition to streamline payments as part of a trial programme. The rollout of Face Pay is the next step in biometric tech becoming a part of daily life, maximising convenience but also raising concerns about privacy and ethics.

Americans’ approach to using technology in their shopping journeys has fundamentally shifted due to COVID-19, providing new opportunities for brands as pandemic restrictions come to an end. Canvas8 polled 1,020 people and spoke to eight individuals to explore this topic in depth.

Forget writing a list, running a quick errand, or even opening an app – where once online grocery shopping was the peak of convenience, Walmart’s voice-assisted collab with Apple and Google is upping the ante. As seamless shopping becomes the norm, the retailer is pivoting to meet shifting demand.