Online shopping stories
The tie-up puts debt and budgeting advice inside a major shopping app, giving UK users an early route to free financial support.
Most AI-discovered brands still face a trust test, as 79% of UK users check other sources before buying and only 4% would skip that step.
Trust remains thin for AI-led shopping, with most UK adults saying they would reject systems that handle spending or payment data.
Most Britons still want to control the final purchase, with 65% uncomfortable letting AI buy on their behalf, Dentsu found.
Small merchants can now sell across websites, social media and messaging apps from one dashboard as online discovery shifts to AI and social channels.
Trust in AI shopping agents is weakest in the UK, where payment worries are holding back uptake as Spain shows far stronger confidence.
Higher energy costs are squeezing household budgets, but digital commerce and brisk business investment are helping keep growth steady at 2.4% in 2026.
Visa is pouring billions into AI defences as regulators demand safer, auditable systems to counter faster cyber threats and fraud.
Urgent discounts are failing to speed up purchases, with most shoppers consulting multiple sources and many abandoning baskets over shipping fees.
Millions of Europeans with disabilities still face daily online barriers, as half of Irish businesses remain unaware of new EU rules.
The hire signals Bir's push to expand online retail in Azerbaijan, where eCommerce still makes up about 3% of sales.
Shopify merchants will be able to surface independent feedback more easily as Trustpilot's app upgrade makes reviews part of the buying journey.
Retailers are turning to specialist search tools as the category grows, with Gartner valuing the market at USD $17.41 billion in 2025.
Cost-of-living pressures are pushing Australians to delay buys, with 80% waiting for major sales events and Prime Day shaping decisions.
Rising living costs are pushing 71% of online shoppers to compare more options and cross-check purchases across more channels before buying.
Scammers are exploiting Prime Day shopping sprees as Australia's new rules aim to stop fraudulent texts, emails and instant payments.
Australian fashion shoppers can now split payments at checkout, as Zip secures a slot on THE ICONIC's online store.
Many marketers are still unclear how to use agentic AI, even as pilots remain limited and governance questions grow across the industry.
Rewards are now swaying 91% of US shoppers to buy again, with Amazon Prime, Walmart+ and Starbucks Rewards topping loyalty rankings.
Amazon will invest USD $48 billion in India by 2030, expanding AI, cloud and logistics infrastructure while increasing jobs and exports.