consumer behavior
34 stories related to this topic, newest first.
The IndependentAI-driven shopping conversion rate rises in UK retail
Adobe reported that UK shoppers using AI tools completed purchases at higher rates than those arriving via traditional search engines. Conversion rates from AI referrals increased 182 percent year-on-year in May.
ventureburn.comReddit Users Describe Difficulty Buying Single Online Items
Shoppers on Reddit's r/shoppingaddiction forum report adding extra products to online carts to avoid paying shipping on one item. The discussion highlights common checkout hesitation when only one product is selected.
crooksandliars.comAmericans Cut Car Use as Fuel Prices Rise
Rising gasoline costs have prompted some drivers to seek alternatives. One reported case involves switching to a battery-powered toy vehicle for short trips.
Usa TodayToyota Study Finds Most Plug-In Hybrid Drivers Charge Vehicles Regularly
A Toyota study reports that owners of its plug-in hybrid models connect to chargers on most driving days. The data addresses questions about real-world charging habits amid higher fuel prices.
Survey Examines Factors in U.S. Electric Vehicle Purchases
A newsletter article discusses reasons some Americans have not purchased electric vehicles. It presents data and commentary on consumer preferences and market conditions.
calgaryherald.comWoman Describes Daily-Pay Shopping Cycle on Reddit Forum
A Reddit user posted about repeated online purchases tied to daily wage deposits. The post outlined a pattern of impulse buying followed by guilt and financial strain. Community members suggested waiting periods before completing orders.
forbes.comAll-Inclusive Resorts Reduce Vacation Decision Load, Travel Advisors Say
Travel advisors and therapists report rising demand for all-inclusive resorts because they limit daily choices. The format bundles lodging, meals, and activities into one upfront payment.
pleated-jeans.com46-Year-Old With $2 Million Net Worth Struggles to Spend Savings
A 46-year-old man with a $2 million net worth, no debt and a paid-off home posted on Reddit about difficulty spending on family travel. Commenters discussed the shift from lifelong saving habits to spending decisions.
New York PostRestaurants Offering 24-Hour Service Fell 18 Percent From 2020 to 2024
Yelp data show an 18 percent drop in U.S. restaurants open around the clock between 2020 and 2024. Chains reduced overnight hours during the pandemic and many have not restored them.
FortuneCommentary attributes decline in product quality to consumer and brand choices
A Fortune commentary piece argues that reduced emphasis on craft in products and marketing predates AI. The author states that speed, cost, and measurability were prioritized by brands, consumers, and marketers. The piece offers steps for restoring craft in brand experiences.
ForbesAI Tools Shift Consumer Research Before Website Visits
AI interfaces now handle much of the early research that once happened on brand websites. Visitors arrive with more specific intent and expect pages to match what AI summaries already told them.
nypost.comSurvey Finds Gen Z Most Likely to Drink at Summer Events While Prioritizing Moderation
A survey of 2,000 American adults who drink found that 86 percent plan to consume alcohol at summer gatherings. Gen Z respondents reported the highest rates of planned participation but also the strongest commitment to intentional and moderate drinking practices.
foxnews.comPlastic Grocery Bags Require Special Handling to Avoid Recycling Equipment Issues
Plastic grocery bags can damage recycling machinery when processed with other materials. Several alternatives exist for disposing of or reusing the bags instead of placing them in standard recycling streams.
ibtimes.co.ukU.S. Gasoline Prices Reach Highest Level in Four Years
Record U.S. gasoline prices have prompted some drivers to use public transit or smaller vehicles. The Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruption have added more than $40-45 billion in extra fuel costs for American consumers.
retailtimes.co.ukTinned tuna sales rise nearly 18 percent at Tesco over two years
Tesco reported an 18 percent increase in tinned tuna sales over the past two years. The supermarket attributed the growth to social media trends and younger shoppers seeking affordable protein options.
Audemars Piguet and Swatch Release Pocket Watch Collection
The Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop pocket watch collection launched on May 16. Crowds gathered at Swatch stores worldwide, including in Mumbai and New York, to purchase the $400 watches.
nypost.comReddit Users Describe Daily Habits in Ultra-Wealthy Households
Workers who serve households with net worths above $50 million shared examples of spending and behavior they observed. The accounts were posted in a Reddit thread that drew more than 3,000 comments.
France 24Swatch Closes Stores After Limited Watch Launch Draws Crowds
Swatch closed stores in the UK, parts of Europe, and the US after crowds gathered for the launch of its Royal Pop watches made with Audemars Piguet. Police used tear gas in Paris and intervened at multiple locations.
BenzingaStarbucks Tests ChatGPT Beta For Drink Recommendations
Starbucks has launched a beta application inside ChatGPT that suggests drinks based on user prompts or uploaded photos. The test occurs as a Harris Poll survey found that only 39% of consumers trust artificial intelligence for purchase decisions. Users can discover drinks through…
The Japan TimesJapanese Municipalities Allow Regular Plastic Bags as Designated Trash Bags Run Low
Supplies of specially designated trash bags are running low across Japan as the conflict in the Middle East strains naphtha supplies used in plastic production. Social media-driven panic buying has compounded the shortage, prompting some local authorities to permit regular plasti…
The IndependentUK Survey Shows Households Stockpiling Cash and Supplies for Emergencies
A March survey found 17 percent of UK households keep physical cash at home for emergencies, while nearly half have battery-powered torches and supplies of tinned goods. The research also shows continued decline in cash usage, with 61 percent having used physical currency in the…
FortuneAmazon Expands 30-Minute Delivery Service to Multiple Countries
Amazon is offering 30-minute or less delivery of select products for an extra fee through its new Amazon Now service, which first launched in India in June 2025. The company, which introduced two-day delivery for Prime members in 2005, has opened small microhubs stocking about 3,…
The IndependentUK Households Stockpiling Cash and Emergency Supplies for Disruptions
A March survey found 17% of UK households keep physical cash at home as part of resilience planning for events such as cyber attacks, natural disasters or IT failures. Nearly half also store battery-powered torches, while 47% keep tinned goods and 37% maintain charged power banks…
BBC NewsLidl Replaces Monthly Freebies With Points-Based Loyalty Scheme
Lidl has changed its loyalty program from spending-based free items such as vegetables and pastries to a points system that earns one point per pound spent. The new scheme allows points to be redeemed for chosen rewards with fewer time restrictions. Shoppers expressed mixed react…
The IndependentStudy Finds Children Influence Parents to Buy Unhealthy Snacks
A study presented at the European Congress on Obesity found that 58 percent of surveyed parents in England said their children frequently pester them to buy high-fat, salt or sugar products. Nearly three-quarters of those parents reported purchasing the requested items. The resea…
Survey Shows Canadians Turning to Savings, Promotions, and Cheaper Options Amid Rising Food Prices
A new survey from Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab indicates Canadians are adapting to elevated grocery costs through deals and trade-downs. Perceptions of food inflation have softened since fall 2024, though rates remain high among G7 nations. Personal stories from…
csmonitor.comUSDA: Grocery Prices Up 24% Since 2020, With 3.1% Rise Forecast for 2026
Grocery prices in the United States have increased by about 24% since 2020, with a further rise of up to 3.1% projected for 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. More than half of Americans report decreased affordability in everyday life, citing food costs as the…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewConsumers Explore Electric Vehicles as Gas Prices Hit $4 per Gallon
Gas prices have reached $4 per gallon in various U.S. regions, prompting some consumers to consider electric vehicles. Key factors include total ownership costs, charging infrastructure, and vehicle range. This interest occurs amid fluctuating energy prices.
slashgear.comU.S. Gas Prices Stay Above $4/Gallon for Three Weeks, Survey Shows Changes in Consumer Fuel and Shopping Habits
High gasoline prices are prompting U.S. consumers to buy less fuel and trade down on in-store items, according to a Goldman Sachs survey of convenience stores. A separate survey shows similar downtrading among nicotine users. ZeroHedge reported on the analysts' notes highlighting…
winnipegfreepress.comKenyan E-Motorcycle Firm Roam Electric Reports Doubled Demand Amid Gasoline Price Surges
Roam Electric, a manufacturer of electric motorcycles in Kenya, has experienced a doubling of demand. This increase occurs as consumers move away from gasoline vehicles due to rising prices linked to the Iran war. The shift reflects broader changes in consumer behavior in respons…
news.google.comGrocers Adopt AI Pricing Tools to Reduce Food Waste and Maintain Profit Margins
Some grocery chains are using artificial intelligence to implement dynamic pricing on perishable items, aiming to cut waste and attract value-seeking shoppers. This approach helps convert potential losses from unsold food into revenue without broad discounts. Platforms facilitati…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewPodcast Discusses $7 Doritos Bag and Its Financial Impact on PepsiCo
Hosts of the Everybody's Business podcast examined a $7 bag of Doritos as an economic indicator. They discussed how the pricing contributed to PepsiCo incurring billions in costs. The episode addressed implications for US consumer behavior.
ibtimes.comCar-Shopping Websites See Increased Interest in Electric Vehicles After Rise in Gasoline Prices
Online car-shopping platforms reported a modest increase in interest for electric vehicles in recent weeks following a significant rise in gasoline prices. Data from AAA indicates March saw the largest fuel price shock since the early 2000s. Industry executives noted that higher…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewExperts Discuss Common Money Mindsets and Strategies to Address Them
Financial experts outline how certain mindsets influence spending, debt, and savings. They describe emotional spending and the belief that financial expertise is unattainable. Recommendations include identifying triggers, pausing purchases, and building knowledge through reflecti…