Adyen’s 2025 Retail Report has revealed a significant increase in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by Australian consumers for shopping purposes. Over the past year, there has been a 45% rise in Australians utilising AI in their shopping activities. Currently, one in three Australians is using AI to assist with tasks such as choosing outfits, planning meals, and discovering new brands.
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Kahneman subverted: Behavioural economics weaponised as dark patterns pump ecom, platform profits – prepare for legal change, warns Consumer Policy Research Centre
Lawmakers around the world are setting their sights on ‘dark patterns’, the way consumer choice is manipulated wholesale by companies for profit – either directly by upselling and herding them into higher yielding decisions, or locking them into services, or “data grabs” that can be monetised indirectly. Australia is next off the rank, and businesses should take action now, starting with UX design, according to Chandni Gupta, Deputy CEO of influential think tank the Consumer Policy Research Centre, who’s work underpins key planks of the ACCC’s regulatory overhauls and which holds sway in Canberra.Dark patterns are “entrenched” across the digital economy – with companies “reverse engineering” the “nudge” principles of Daniel Kahneman’s behavioural economics to serve profit rather than help people make better choices, says Gupta. Already, the likes of LinkedIn, Amazon, TikTok, Meta and Epic Games have run afoul of regulators, while ticketing platform StubHub has conducted experiments that show the double-digit profit impact of manipulating consumer choice via hidden costs. Gupta, back from a global tour or regulators, lawmakers and enforcement bodies, and armed with a fresh report on her findings, says the practice is so widespread across the digital economy that most young adults have probably never lived in a world where they are not being manipulated. AI risks “supercharging” the practice – and making dark patterns darker still.But Gupta warns businesses to prepare for regulation, enforcement and redress, with the Australian government committed to a ban on unfair business practices – and a strong overlap between dark patterns and the Privacy overhaul now gearing up for its second act. She sees profit upside for those that overhaul UX design now “to put the person and their wellbeing at the centre” rather than “waiting to be caught”.
Kahneman subverted: Behavioural economics weaponised as dark patterns pump ecom, platform profits – prepare for legal change, warns Consumer Policy Research Centre
Lawmakers around the world are setting their sights on ‘dark patterns’, the way consumer choice is manipulated wholesale by companies for profit – either directly by upselling and herding them into higher yielding decisions, or locking them into services, or “data grabs” that can be monetised indirectly. Australia is next off the rank, and businesses should take action now, starting with UX design, according to Chandni Gupta, Deputy CEO of influential think tank the Consumer Policy Research Centre, who’s work underpins key planks of the ACCC’s regulatory overhauls and which holds sway in Canberra. While business lobby groups are already pushing back against Federal Government plans to beef-up consumer law, Gupta advises businesses not to wait to get fined or caught up in class actions – and make good on claims of customer-centricity.
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SBS chief commercial and marketing officer, Jane Palfreyman, happily touted SBS’s colloquially known status as ‘sex before soccer’ in a recent Upfronts speech that exuded pride in the broadcaster’s heritage, unique cultural content make-up and audience mix. Now, as the broadcaster further revels in its 50-year anniversary, the marketing team has stepped up another rung on the risqué ladder, debuting a brand campaign led by a film featuring a nude streaker traversing some of the unique content types that can only be found on SBS – including a threesome. It’s one of those things you can do when you’re a well-tenured marketing chief with a firm eye on the commercial prize, in a business that has clarity about what it stands for amid a cluttered TV and broadcasting landscape, says Palfreyman, who adds internal buy-in on the bold creative play came quickly.
Aussie consumers shift towards local goods amidst tariff turmoil: Kantar
Kantar’s latest Consumer Sentiment Barometer reveals significant shifts in Australian consumer behaviour in response to economic pressures. According to the findings, 42% of Australians are poised to cease purchasing US products and services due to tariffs, while 53% intend to increase their consumption of local goods.