Consumer cultures

Online Shopping

How safe is it to buy from Temu, Shein and other e-commerce platforms?

With ludicrously low prices and an unbelievably vast variety of products, from the banal to the utterly bazaar, it’s no wonder there is such a buzz around Shein and Temu right now. They may be able to sell you a…

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5 min read

April 17, 2024

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The secret costs of cash giveaways: the case of Temu’s £50 promotion

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Consumer cultures

Dating app traps: swipe left on pricey premiums

Consumer cultures

Under pressure: resisting pressure selling and scarcity panic this festive sales season

Online Shopping

Shopping and delivery scams: how to shop safe this holiday season

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Consumer cultures

Under pressure: resisting pressure selling and scarcity panic this festive sales season

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Consumer cultures

Sustainable consumption?: Unmasking greenwashing and understanding your environmental impact

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Saving Money

Taking on Black Friday in a cost-of-living crisis

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Shops

Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday? Our guide to getting the best deals

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Consumer cultures

Online shopping and compulsive consumption: how to resist marketing tricks and impulsive purchases

<img alt='Katie Goss avatar' data-src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' data-srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo lazyload' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 30px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 30/60;' /><noscript><img alt='Katie Goss avatar' data-src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' data-srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo lazyload' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 30px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 30/60;' /><noscript><img alt='Katie Goss avatar' data-src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' data-srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo lazyload' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 30px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 30/60;' /><noscript><img alt='Katie Goss avatar' data-src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' data-srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo lazyload' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 30px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 30/60;' /><noscript><img alt='Katie Goss avatar' data-src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' data-srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo lazyload' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 30px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 30/60;' /><noscript><img alt='Katie Goss avatar' data-src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' data-srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo lazyload' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 30px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 30/60;' /><noscript><img alt='Katie Goss avatar' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/>

Consumer cultures

Subscription traps and uncancellable contracts: how to escape scams and surplus expenses

<img alt='Katie Goss avatar' data-src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' data-srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo lazyload' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 30px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 30/60;' /><noscript><img alt='Katie Goss avatar' data-src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' data-srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo lazyload' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 30px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 30/60;' /><noscript><img alt='Katie Goss avatar' data-src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' data-srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo lazyload' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 30px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 30/60;' /><noscript><img alt='Katie Goss avatar' data-src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' data-srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo lazyload' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 30px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 30/60;' /><noscript><img alt='Katie Goss avatar' data-src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' data-srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo lazyload' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 30px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 30/60;' /><noscript><img alt='Katie Goss avatar' data-src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' data-srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo lazyload' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 30px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 30/60;' /><noscript><img alt='Katie Goss avatar' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/>

Consumer cultures

Consumer trends and tactics: our new series on online buying and behaviour

<img alt='Katie Goss avatar' data-src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' data-srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo lazyload' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 30px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 30/60;' /><noscript><img alt='Katie Goss avatar' data-src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' data-srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo lazyload' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 30px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 30/60;' /><noscript><img alt='Katie Goss avatar' data-src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' data-srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo lazyload' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 30px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 30/60;' /><noscript><img alt='Katie Goss avatar' data-src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' data-srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo lazyload' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 30px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 30/60;' /><noscript><img alt='Katie Goss avatar' data-src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' data-srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo lazyload' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 30px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 30/60;' /><noscript><img alt='Katie Goss avatar' data-src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' data-srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo lazyload' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 30px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 30/60;' /><noscript><img alt='Katie Goss avatar' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=60&d=mm&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a280ec16af2cb8d4128f305b5a3811aa?s=120&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo' height='60' width='30' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/>