Amazon may not be the most inspirational place to buy presents, but that doesn’t stop people ‘adding to basket’. Canvas8 spoke to three experts to find out whether Prime has made us lazier when selecting gifts or if, in fact, the ease of e-commerce encourages more expensive and thoughtful choices.

The creation of Amazon Go – a cashierless supermarket where customers pick up items and walk out – seems to be winning in the race to master automated experiences. But competitors, such as Microsoft, are not staying far behind, giving the retail-giant some serious competition.

All over the world, countries are moving toward becoming cashless. While this does have its benefits – particularly for ostracised communities – it also creates issues for those people who rely mainly on cash and places a high level of power with large financial institutions.

Nearly a third of Americans make no cash payments in the average week, highlighting how physical currency is steadily losing its appeal, especially among those who have more money to spend. Instead, a growing number feel at ease carrying around phones or cards for seamless purchasing.