Cyberattacks Making Consumers More Cautious About Online Shopping

• One fifth of UK consumers are likely to reduce or stop shopping online due to cyberattack concerns, says GlobalData

Concerns around cybersecurity are prompting a shift in online shopping behavior, particularly among younger consumers in the UK. With one third of 16-34s considering cutting back or stopping online purchases, retailers face rising pressure to reinforce digital trust. This is especially the case for online pureplays, which cannot redirect sceptical consumers to stores, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Emily Salter, Lead Retail Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “However, the convenience and choice associated with the online channel will still trump security concerns for most consumers. This is potentially more important to older shoppers who have children and greater pressures on their time, or less ability to visit stores as they age. Younger shoppers also place more emphasis on experiential shopping, so this combined with security concerns could push more consumers to stores.”

GlobalData’s latest July 2025 UK monthly survey* reveals 69.3% of consumers are worried about their personal security because of the recent cyberattacks, with 79.3% of 25-34s feeling the most concerned about this issue.

As well as the immediate impact on sales and profits, which could be due to stock issues or having to shut down a website, the press coverage of cyberattacks raises a more long-term issue of consumer trust in retailers’ online platforms.

Salter concludes: “Younger consumers are more concerned about retailers storing their payment details, and think that they are not doing enough to protect their private information when shopping online. Paying with mobile wallets and third-party providers such as Apple Pay and PayPal is a way that consumers can avoid having to give their payment details directly to retailers. These payment methods are especially popular among under 35s. To allow this, retailers must ensure their websites and apps are compatible with these methods.”

*GlobalData’s July 2025 UK monthly survey covered 2,000 UK respondents.

Source : GlobalData

Image : Chinnapong / Shutterstock / 539139967

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