INDUSTRY RETAIL. TECH
Showcasing innovative technology in the retail sector
Daily online shopping plunges 57 % as shoppers return to the certainty of stores
Daily online shopping frequency has dropped sharply, falling from 21 % to 9 % in the past year as shoppers pull back from fast online purchases and lean more heavily on physical stores for confidence and value. The shift reflects rising prices, global trade strain and widening trust gaps in product content that are making consumers more cautious about what they buy and where they buy it.
Consumers are recalibrating. They are being selective, they are verifying every detail and they expect product information that gives them confidence from the start
The findings come from Salsify’ s 2026 Consumer Research report, based on a survey of nearly 3,000 shoppers across the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. The data highlights a mindset defined by risk reduction and verification, with buyers scrutinizing more details, comparing across more channels and seeking reassurance through in-store discovery. Sixty percent of shoppers now say they discover new products in stores, surpassing online marketplaces and signaling a clear pivot from years of digitalfirst shopping behavior.
“ Consumers are recalibrating. They are being selective, they are verifying every detail and they expect product information that gives them confidence from the start,” said Dom Scarlett, Research Director at Salsify.“ When content falls short, they walk away.”
Key trends from the report include:
1. Economic pressure slows online buying Rising prices linked to global trade volatility are reshaping purchasing decisions. Thirty-nine percent compare prices more carefully, 38 % reduce spending in specific categories and 37 % choose lower-priced alternatives regardless of origin. One in three prioritizes domestically made products. Twenty-seven percent are delaying discretionary purchases and 20 % are buying more secondhand. 2. Stores become the new search bar Brick-and-mortar stores( 60 %) now outrank online marketplaces( 57 %) and social platforms( 52 %) as the primary source of product discovery. Shoppers report greater confidence in quality and accuracy when discovering products in person.
3. Verify before you buy Fifty-four percent use two to three channels for mid-range items, 30 % use four to six and 11 % consult up to 10 channels for major purchases.
4. Social commerce cools Impulse buying is declining. Influencerdriven purchases fell 16 %, livestream shopping dropped 12 %, viral product purchases declined 17 % and virtual try-ons decreased 9 %.
5. Quality takes priority Shoppers are investing in products that feel reliable, long-lasting and accurately represented, with Gen Alpha increasingly influencing household purchasing decisions. •
46
INTELLIGENT CIO LATAM www. intelligentcio. com