Holiday season stories - Page 2

Holiday online sales in the US are set to exceed USD $250bn in 2025, but rising disputes and friendly fraud threaten retailers' profits this season.

For the first time, Cyber Monday has surpassed Black Friday in UK online sales, reflecting shoppers' shift towards value-driven and personalised purchases amid inflation.

AI, social media, and flexible payments like BNPL will shape festive shopping as 69% of consumers trust AI to assist their Black Friday and holiday purchases.

UK tech retail sales rose 5.4% in Q3 2025, outpacing national retail growth but lagging behind Europe's 21% surge in the sector.

Holiday shoppers demand quick, eco-friendly delivery but resist paying extra, with UK consumers showing low confidence in on-time arrivals, survey reveals.

CCL urges businesses to strengthen logistics and customs compliance ahead of the festive surge, as UK online sales hit GBP £115.3bn in late 2024.

Retailers are rapidly adopting AI to personalise shopping experiences, boosting customer loyalty and handling £30bn in UK click-and-collect orders in 2025.

Many young UK shoppers risk scams by using AI and social media for festive gifts, despite widespread concerns over online holiday shopping risks.

Norton reports UK millennials and Gen Z face rising holiday scam risks as 66% take risky steps, driven by growing use of social media and AI in shopping.

Generative AI boosts US retail web traffic by 4,700% year-on-year as shoppers increasingly use AI tools for research and recommendations, Adobe reveals.

Nearly 80% of UK holidaymakers boost pre-trip spending, favouring clothing and travel gear, with shoppers seeking smart deals and value for money.

THG Fulfil will install 430 Libiao T-sorting robots at its Manchester warehouse in September 2025, boosting capacity by 75% to process one million units daily.

The European PC market experienced a 3% revenue rise in Q4 2024, driven by seasonal promotions, with Spain and the UK leading growth amid ongoing challenges.

British consumers are set to return £1.5 billion worth of unwanted Christmas gifts this year, highlighting significant challenges for retailers' logistics.

The European print market is showing signs of recovery, driven by demand for high-end multifunction printers and the rise of AI and cloud solutions.

As the festive season approaches, experts warn of rising cyber threats, urging organisations and individuals to strengthen their digital defences during this vulnerable period.

A study by Imperva reveals that 71% of UK consumers face challenges securing Christmas gifts due to scalping bots inflating prices by over 105%.

Workhuman's latest Human Workplace Index reveals UK employees face rising stress, with 37% feeling increased pressure as they approach 2024's end.

Atlassian's latest research reveals that 68% of knowledge workers face project backlogs by year-end due to shifting priorities and unexpected challenges.

Kaspersky has raised alarms over a surge in phishing scams mimicking Telegram Premium offers, warning users to be vigilant, especially this holiday season.