Future Commerce [DECODED] The Psychology of Perpetual Commerce: When Shopping Becomes Who We Are
Nov 24, 2025
Join customer experience expert Ken Hughes as he dives into the psychology behind modern shopping. With nearly half of consumers in a state of perpetual purchase consideration, he reveals how shopping has evolved into an identity, particularly for Gen Z. Ken introduces intriguing concepts like the 'Blue Dot Consumer' and the 'Shopping Consciousness Spectrum,' while exploring generational differences, the emotional costs of constant retail contemplation, and the trust paradox between consumers, AI, and brands.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Perpetual Commerce Is The New Normal
- Nearly half of consumers live in a state of perpetual purchase consideration, keeping mental shopping lists constantly active.
- Omnimodal shopping collapses discovery, entertainment, and search into continuous shopping impulses across channels.
The Funnel Has Collapsed
- Digital convenience and one-click interfaces collapsed traditional linear purchase stages into immediate decisions.
- Evaluation now happens without a prior need, enabling impulse purchases across platforms and contexts.
Digital Nativity Rewrites Daily Life
- Younger generations treat digital connection as seamless life context, erasing online/offline boundaries.
- Gen Z and Gen Alpha perceive commerce, relationships, and identity through a continuous digital lens.
