Stat: Major retail hacks lead UK consumers to change digital habits

UK – A wave of high-profile cyberattacks is reshaping consumer trust in online retail, with two-thirds (66%) of UK shoppers now re-assessing their digital habits, according to new data from insights agency Opinium.

As retailers continue to digitise experiences and store sensitive customer data, cybersecurity has become a core consumer concern. Opinium’s findings reveal that 23% of UK consumers now say they will only shop online with brands they fully trust, while 22% cite strong security measures as a non-negotiable.

In the wake of these breaches, shoppers are taking more proactive measures: almost one in five (19%) have changed their passwords before returning to shop online, and 12% have deleted old retail accounts altogether. A smaller but significant group (9%) are taking a complete break from online shopping, while 15% report they’ll shop online less often, and another 15% say they feel more hesitant about shopping online in general.

The data signals a growing culture of digital self-defence – and a heightened demand for transparency, accountability and visible protection from retailers. As we explore in our recent report Modern Burglary, the age of convenience-first e-commerce is maturing. Trust, rather than speed or ease, is becoming a primary driver of digital loyalty.