Shopping is no longer limited to stores or PCs. People are picking up products on the way to work – 

 of online sales in the UK take place during commutes – and they’re even browsing on the loo – over a quarter of Britons like to shop while sitting on the toilet. There is no longer a clear line between shopping online and offline. Instead, this activity is omnichannel – 

 say they shop on multiple channels and more than half use click-and-collect services. Meanwhile, 72% of mobile shoppers use their phone to track the delivery of an item they’ve ordered, and almost a third browse less in-store than they used to because they research online beforehand.

These ambient shoppers provide big opportunities for brands; 

 say they make more impulse purchases because of their devices. But the changing shopping environment means retailers must find new ways to reach people at a different stage of the shopping journey. It’s why 

 embraced the ‘see now, buy now’ model, allowing items to be bought as they’re being unveiled on the catwalk. People can even shop from a curated Insta feed thanks to 

The traditional buying model relied on three steps: experience a need, shop to satisfy that need, then use the product. But with 45% of shopping journeys now using mobile to discover or buy, purchasing has been integrated into people’s daily routines. How can brands adapt to this new retail reality?

Have we all become ambient shoppers?

They may not be digital natives, but Gen X shouldn’t be underestimated when it comes to online spending power. While Yers are busy posting selfies on Instagram, their older counterparts are clicking ‘add to basket’ – but why does this ‘middle child’ generation love online shopping so much?

Why do Gen X love to shop online?

Coach, a leader in modern luxury accessories, has partnered with Gen Phoenix on a mission to reimagine leather sustainably, highlighting a shift toward eco-conscious fashion and aligning with rising demand for brands to prioritise more than just profit.

Coach showcases eco-vision with recycled leather bags

Located in luxury destination EmSphere, the premium stationery purveyor wants to uphold the immersive retail experience for artists and connoisseurs of art goods. As people look for exciting sights and sensations when shopping, brands can offer exclusive activations that can’t be found anywhere else.

Mediums elevates tactile art supply shopping in Thailand

As faith in business leaders and institutions falls, people are placing more trust in others like them. In this context, customer reviews become a powerful tool for building brand trust. Canvas8 spoke to Monika Rawal to understand the factors influencing people’s responses to product reviews.

Five stars!? The science of rewarding reviews

Department stores today look massively different than their predecessors of centuries past. But as brands look to keep up amid a changing retail landscape, there are lessons to be learned. Canvas8 spoke to Gemma Jones to uncover what the future of department stores might look like.

Gemma Jones on the future of department stores

Blending global appeal with local culture, Levi’s has relaunched its NextGen store in Kyoto, featuring an in-store tailoring station. Through traditional design elements and exclusive items from artist collaborations, the denim apparel trailblazer aims to deeply connect with Japanese consumers.

How Levi’s brings a bespoke custom to Japan’s denim fans

TikTok has revolutionized the world of candy buying, by driving sales of the ultimate impulse purchase through sensory videos, viral trends, and a unique ‘shoppertainment’ retail environment that blends entertainment with e-commerce.

How TikTok is changing the world of candy shopping

UK retail workers face potential job cuts in 2025 as the sector grapples with £7bn in new costs from tax increases and regulations. Following weak holiday sales growth of 0.4%, the sector struggles to balance operational expenses with the need to adapt to changing consumer behaviours and digital transformation.

Bleak Christmas sales threaten UK retail jobs

Ariel has teamed up with former England striker Peter Crouch to promote the larger size of its latest laundry innovation. The collaboration plays on Crouch's likeable public persona, showing how the right endorsement can effectively boost brand awareness.




Ariel's Crouch collab shows value of relatable endorsements

Nike CEO Elliot Hill is refocusing the sportswear giant to obsess over sports and get back to winning ways after a tough year for the brand. Its new strategy aligns with growing audience preference for brands that live up to their expectations and values.

Nike feeds purpose-focused buyers in sports-themed return

Trashie incentivizes people to recycle their waste by offering vouchers in exchange for unwanted items. As trust in traditional authority rapidly declines, people want brands to facilitate personalized sustainable living by shifting from collective to individual actions.

Recycling start-up courts the eco-conscious via rewards

L’Oréal has acquired South Korean skincare brand Dr.G from Swiss retail group Migros. As social media erodes barriers to international cultural exchange, demand is increasing for products and experiences beyond borders, like K-beauty. 

L'Oréal leans into K-beauty demand

Birth rates are declining, meaning fewer children to buy toys. Recognizing this shift, Toys 'R' Us Asia is now focusing on Gen Z kidults. As it becomes harder for younger generations to meet traditional milestones, many are turning to nostalgia-inspired fun as a way to escape.

Toys 'R' Us targets Gen Z kidults

Amid increased prejudice and hate crimes against the LGBTQ community, the US is witnessing a national resurgence of queer bookshops. As people seek community in increasingly polarized and threatening conditions, IRL minority safe spaces like these are gaining salience.

US sees a revival of queer bookshops 

India’s beauty market is evolving rapidly, fuelled by the convenience and discoverability of e-commerce, social media, and quick commerce platforms. As Indian’s embrace premium products and tech tools like virtual try-ons, brands are racing to capture attention, especially in Tier 2 and 3 cities.

How tech and quick commerce are transforming Indian beauty

The battle for market share in beauty retail is heating up between discount and convenience stores in South Korea. As the boundaries between mass and premium increasingly blur, brands in the space can dial up personalised experiences to set themselves apart from low-cost competitors.

Convenience stores disrupt premium K-beauty retail

Founded in London’s King’s Cross in 2013, modern spectacle maker Cubitts is making waves across the Atlantic. Its latest theatrical store design meets the growing demand in experiential, highlighting how brands are blending storytelling and immersive experiences redefining retail engagement.

Cubitts targets experiential lovers with theatrical shop

Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025 is Mocha Mousse, a muted brown in the red-orange family. The color is meant to evoke a sense of calm and connection to the Earth in a seemingly increasingly unstable world, linking to our desire for comfort and all-encompassing forms of wellbeing.

Pantone’s Color of the Year taps comfort and wellbeing

Outlet malls have become an unlikely salve for the luxury downturn as shoppers seek out deals on luxury goods. People are continuing to democratize luxury ownership while still craving aspirational cachet, and brands will need to cater to ever more fluid definitions of desirability.

American shoppers flock to outlet malls for luxury fix

Google has revealed Project Mariner, an AI agent that can navigate websites or fill shopping carts for its users. Google is building trust in this new tool, which is still in its early stages of development, by ensuring that people can easily track the decisions it makes on their behalf.

Project Mariner teases future of AI agents

Influencer and user-generated content (UGC) is powering a second wave of popularity for K-beauty, following a global trend that values authenticity over celebrity ambassadorships. In this shifting consumer landscape, brands are creating inclusive products and tapping more diverse creators to represent them.

How UGC kick-started the revival of K-beauty

Dior has unveiled a new concept store in Bangkok, cementing Thailand’s status as a luxury hotspot. As Thai shoppers become more discerning in their luxury behaviours, local resonance should no longer be an accessory to global brands’ strategies but a core part of their DNA.

Dior’s Bangkok store writes new chapter in Thai luxury

Telfar is giving Canal Street counterfeit vendors authentic Telfar bags to sell at reduced prices to their customers. The disruptive move critiques elitism in high fashion while sparking debate on balancing accessibility, cultural relevance, and long-term brand value in a dupe-driven market.

Telfar gives fake bag dealers authentic products to sell

What does excellent retail look like today, and what will it look like in the future? Retail expert Chris Walton delves into the industry’s rapidly evolving landscape, exploring the unstoppable rise of e-commerce, social media and AI, and the wider generational shifts reshaping the sector.

Chris Walton on the future of retail

European grocery shoppers want it all, seeking out physical retail formats that combine convenience with exciting product options, alongside experiential and tech-driven elements as well. With its purpose-led, fresh-produce concept store Oxygène, Franprix is attempting to tick all the boxes.

How Franprix adds fresh life to French grocery shopping

When stretched for time, people tend to prioritise convenience above all else. Tapping into this – and building towards its goal of becoming an all-in-one shopping destination – Amazon has rolled online car sales, enabling people to buy a new car alongside their groceries or seasonal gifts.

Amazon courts convenience-seekers with car sales

Courier company Evri has enlisted inclusive tech provider AccessiBe to optimise its website for people with disabilities. It shows how brands can make a difference by foregrounding the micro-moments that are often taken for granted and enabling a sense of autonomy in people’s product experiences.

Evri makes parcel deliveries more accessible for Britons

Uber is spreading festive joy with the launch of an on-demand delivery service for Christmas trees and carol singers. The move addresses the desire for cost-effective, stress-free solutions that enhance seasonal joy, fostering connection and empathy amid the holiday rush.

Uber targets cost-conscious shoppers with Xmas special

Standing in line has moved from an inconvenience into a signifier, as people queue for hours at sample sales and pop-ups to socialise and feel part of something exclusive. This shift reflects how younger generations seek community and status through shared experiences rather than just purchases.

Queuing becomes status symbol at fashion sample sales

Louis Vuitton has brought its 2024 holiday campaign to life with a carousel installation at Place Vendome in Paris along with matching AR filters and customisable digital cards. This physical-digital experience aims to foster connections and authenticity while creating an air of celebration.

Louis Vuitton taps experiential holiday shoppers

With its strong preference for tangible, authentic experiences, Gen Z is redefining the shopping landscape. How can brands successfully blend online convenience with engaging in-store interactions, while also staying true to the ethical and sustainable practices that Gen Zers value?

Why Gen Zers are going to the store to do their shopping

2024 was the year of bag charms and collectible toys. Bring those two together and you get Labubu, a cute little monster adults are now obsessively collecting. APAC lead editor Therese Reyes looks into the latest viral craze and what it tells us about affordable luxury in the region.

Editor's Briefing: What the Labubu craze tells us about affordable luxury

A study has found that nearly 75% of Boomers are planning on using buy now, pay later services when shopping for the holidays in 2024. As people navigate fluctuating finances, they're looking for more stability and control, and these findings show that BNPL is appealing to all generations.

Boomers most likely to use BNPL during holidays

Shoppers increasingly want to support local businesses, with 85% planning to 'shop small' this holiday season. With walking around town a key source of discovery, retailers should leverage this by crafting engaging window displays and adopting hyperlocal strategies to foster connection and community.

Shopping small elicits need for hyperlocal strategies

Forecast to dominate the sector by 2030, American Gen Yers are the driving force behind the future of luxury online shopping. Yearning for a traditional sense of prestige while still expecting modern innovations, how can brands successfully strike a balance to attract this cohort?

What do US Gen Yers want from luxury online shopping?

A watchdog group has found that although most supermarket loyal offerings are genuine, a majority of Britons feel that retailers are driving up their prices to make products on offer seem more appealing. The discrepancy showcases the increasingly critical attitude consumers are adopting.

Report shows trust gap between UK grocers and customers

Brands are transforming TV viewing with shoppable ads, turning passive audiences into active shoppers. By leveraging real-time behavior and cultural moments like the Super Bowl, these spots are helping simplify purchases and successfully tap into desires for instant gratification.

How shoppable ads are transforming TV viewing

In Australia, Valentine’s Day has transformed from a celebration of love between couples into an occasion to cherish friendships. How have evolving cultural norms and pervasive loneliness fuelled this shift? And how can brands engage with the new rituals and moments surrounding the day?

How do Aussies celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Brick-and-mortar retail and British high streets are facing a pivotal moment, forced to adapt to the rise of e-commerce and changing consumer behaviours. Canvas8 spoke to retail expert Ibrahim Ibrahim about how retail spaces can evolve beyond transactional venues into vibrant community hubs.

Ibrahim Ibrahim on the future of British high street

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, in collaboration with Keep Left, has launched a pop-up activation called ‘Blackout Friday’ to highlight the challenges faced by people with low vision or blindness when shopping online, emphasising that accessibility is just as much of an issue digitally as it is IRL.

Guide Dogs NSW highlights retail accessibility problems 

The health-focused scanning app Yuka has introduced a feature to bring power to shoppers pushing for changes in the food and beauty industries. This aligns with the high demand for transparency and accountability as people prioritise informed, ethical, and sustainable choices.

Yuka turns shoppers into change agents

Pinterest has launched shoppable celebrity-curated gift guides to simplify the holiday shopping experience while also offering more unique recommendations. Combining a human touch with social algorithms can appeal to people seeking both personalized and authentic suggestions.

Pinterest courts bespoke lovers with celeb gift guides

The Ordinary is countering the chaos of Black Friday with a slower approach to November sales, using striking campaigns to unveil the realities of this harmful phenomenon. The brand’s bold actions embody a growing movement toward mindful, intentional shopping over unnecessary consumerism.

The Ordinary's Black Friday ads target slower shoppers

A survey has found that of those using TikTok as a source of inspiration while doing their holiday shopping, nearly half are looking for food and beverage-related gifts. As food intersects with other areas of culture, like fashion, high-end food and drink products are becoming status symbols.

People turn to TikTok in search of food-related gifts 

Prestige beauty brands are standing out as desirable gifts for the holidays, according to a Circana report, especially in homes with Gen Alpha kids. These findings show that shopping habits are still being driven by desires for little luxuries amid economic challenges and social media inspiration.

Gen Alphas use beauty for 'little luxury' holiday gifts

Data from major cities across the US has revealed that shoplifting from physical retailers has increased since 2023. These findings highlight how some people are turning to less-than-desirable means to offset the increasing pressures of economic instability and inflationary price rises.

Shoplifting rises as Americans feel holiday strain

Amazon has launched Rufus, an AI-powered shopping assistant, in beta across Europe. Meeting growing demands for AI in retail experiences, the feature looks to help customers make more informed purchasing decisions, enhancing convenience and efficiency within their shopping journeys.

Amazon AI assistant meets evolving e-shopping desires

Starbucks Korea has announced a new concept store in Seoul that targets university students. Brands are honing in on unique, memorable shopping experiences to win over Gen Z, and they could benefit from a more niche approach to counter oversaturation in the experiential retail landscape.

Starbucks South Korea courts Gen Z with concept store

In the era of omnichannel shopping, merrymakers in APAC seek holiday promos, interactive Christmas activations, and gourmet food options in their retail spaces. APAC lead editor Therese Reyes finds out why (and how) the region is doing malls better.

Editor's Briefing: How people in APAC check off their holiday gift lists in the era of omnichannel shopping

Korean luxury hospitality group Josun Hotels & Resorts has launched a store to expand its online presence via its distinctive food and lifestyle products. With people searching for accessible indulgences, premium hotel-branded products can bring luxury escapism into homes.

Josun Hotels & Resorts launches online lifestyle store

The Four Seasons has introduced luxury pyjamas as part of its Four Seasons at Home line, which honors the brand’s hospitality heritage and offers an entry point for those who can’t afford a hotel stay. The move aligns with a luxury trend towards accessible experiences amid economic constraints.

Four Seasons pyjamas offer an at-home luxury experience

Younger generations are spearheading the post-pandemic revitalisation of Britain's brick-and-mortar retail sector. The social aspects of shopping and an emphasis on localism and community are particularly appealing, providing guidelines for brands looking to create memorable in-store experiences.

Gen Z and Y shoppers drive UK high street revival

John Lewis’s hotly anticipated Christmas ad for 2024 breaks away from the retailer's traditionally whimsical and escapist approach, instead favouring an undeniably human tale of two sisters. This change in tack is a nod to people’s desire for emotional escapism as well as authentic narratives.

John Lewis Christmas ad offers relatable nostalgia

Despite traditionally being the prime time for high street shopping, data suggests that Britons intend to spend more online over the 2024 festive season than in 2023. As social feeds open consumers up to new Christmas shopping options, the art of gifting is taking on new forms.

Rise in online shopping shapes Britons' gifting choices

As social feeds become essential tools for finding Christmas gifts, people are leaning on platforms for inspiration and brand reviews. Consequently, there's a growing imperative for brands to innovate their social communications during this high-stakes season for e-commerce. 

Inspiration for holiday gifting moves to social feeds

At The Benemart, Benefit Cosmetics’ virtual shopping experience, people can shop, game, and socialise simultaneously. Brands continue to offer initiatives that blend the physical and digital world to engage shoppers, while also incorporating gaming elements to appeal to younger generations.

Benefit Cosmetics launches virtual shopping experience

Japanese households once again cut spending in September due to inflation and a weak yen pushing up living costs. As people continue to face financial anxiety, there is a burgeoning demand for budget-friendly brands, while many workers are also seeking a better work-life balance.

Japanese households further cut spending as costs rise

As British shoppers embrace second-hand fashion for affordability and individuality, resale has shifted from an ethical choice to a mainstream movement, aligning with both personal values and financial pressures. Canvas8 spoke to six Britons to unveil the reasons behind choosing pre-loved pieces.

Why Britons are buying second-hand fashion

Libraries of Things is gaining serious traction as people search for smarter, more sustainable ways to access items without the burden of ownership.

How Library of Things builds community around rentals

Indians are increasingly buying luxury products while travelling abroad, according to spending data from Visa. In response, some brands are creating personalised shopping experiences overseas, aligning with the industry-wide shift towards immersive and curated experiences.

Luxury brands court Indian tourists with VIP shopping

From mere hubs of passive consumption, Southeast Asia’s supermalls are now arenas for connection, as well as case studies in innovation. Using the latest technological advancements and storytelling devices, how can brands build the next all-in-one spaces for modern shoppers?

How Southeast Asia’s malls are evolving post-pandemic

The market for ‘premium’ products and services is growing in popularity, as shoppers look for value and meaning from their purchases. But the term is often misunderstood. Canvas8 spoke to Ashley Mauritzen to glean insight into how brands can stand out and best perform in this increasingly crowded space.

Ashley Mauritzen on what ‘premium’ means in 2024

In an era of declining consumer trust, an increasing number of brands are embracing strategic self-deprecation to help cut through noise. To better understand how a self-aware approach can help win over sceptical audiences, Canvas8 spoke to consumer psychologist, Vaishnavi Kale.

Who, Me?! The science of self-deprecation

Research indicates that donating food instead of discounting can enhance retailers' profits. Many Americans face food insecurity while a large portion of food is thrown away, but donating food supports nearby communities and clears shelves for more produce, optimizing pricing and reducing waste. 

Research shows donating food increases profits

Teens today view influencing as a viable career path, harnessing viral trends to build substantial followings and earn a salary previous generations could have only dreamed of. However, there's a trade-off as many big names deal with social isolation and scrutiny from peers and followers alike.

Teens seek influencer careers despite potential pitfalls

A record number of Britons say they're excited for the 2024 Christmas ads, according to research conducted ahead of the festive season. These ads offer messages of empathy and connection that resonate amid challenging times, highlighting values that should persist in marketing all year round.

Search for positivity fuels excitement for Xmas ads

Shopping

With fast connections on mobile phones, people are now able to shop anywhere, anytime. The traditional shopping routine – where the consumer experiences a need, shops to satisfy that need, and uses the product – is losing relevance. Instead, with 45% of all retail journeys now containing mobile, people are browsing and buying wherever they are. And it’s not just younger people; Gen X constitute 18% of the US population, but make up 23% of online shoppers. Meanwhile, two in five of them say shopping online is their top activity for their spare time.