The outbreak of COVID-19 in America dramatically reshaped everyday financial habits – from causing a sharp drop in commute-based spending to leading some people to splurge on their pets. But how might these sudden changes impact the ways Americans spend and save in the long term?

A pandemic success story, Canada-born multinational e-commerce platform Shopify is positioning itself as the company that puts the power back into the hands of small to medium-sized independent businesses, especially those that have long faced stiff competition from Amazon.

As store closures make it impossible for shoppers to engage in the ‘art of the hunt’, thrift store fans are going online. Vintage dealers and resale spaces are drawing people in with the thrilling experience of discovery-based shopping in the digital landscape, all from the comfort of their homes.

Online payment company Stripe has become the US' most valuable start-up after its latest round of funding. With people’s purchasing habits drastically changed due to the pandemic, this behavioural shift is being reflected through large investments in online payment platforms and tools.