Australians are indulging in impulsive “sleep shopping” and often making purchases that they regret in the morning.
Research released by PayPal this week showed that 79 percent of people had made online purchases between 9pm and 5am.
Almost one-in-four admitted to shopping during these hours at least once a month, with smartphones making the purchase easy to do from bed.
Around 25 percent of night time shoppers say they are more likely to buy impulsively late at night, and 22 percent admit they have spent more than planned when shopping after dark.
Consumer Shopping Expert at PayPal Australian Danielle Grant said 16 percent of people had received parcels they forgot they ordered and 18 percent bought items they later regretted.
“While late night shopping can feel like a well-earned way to unwind, fatigue can cloud judgement and affect how Australians shop online,” she said.
“When we’re tired, we’re more likely to make impulse purchases or spend more than planned – and those small decisions can add up quickly.”
The research found 80 percent of people believed they were more likely to be scammed when they were tired, while more than three-quarters (76 percent) said fake websites were harder to recognise late at night.
“Late-night shopping isn’t going away but understanding how fatigue affects our judgement can help Aussies shop more safely,” Ms Grant said. “When you’re tired, it’s easier to rush a purchase or miss the warning signs of a scam.”
