Latest news with #convenience
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
These groceries cost 45% more from Uber Eats than in-store
Inspired by a La Presse experiment, I learned the cost of convenience. It's not just the expected fees that add to the hefty totals for groceries ordered via food delivery apps, though. Overall, ordering from Sobeys' Uber Eats storefront was 45 per cent more expensive than shopping IRL. My bill jumped from $73.16 at a Toronto brick-and-mortar Sobeys location to $105.88 via the delivery app. Bag, service and delivery fees, tip and taxes notwithstanding, my items cost 16 per cent more in-app, and the on-shelf sales applied only two-thirds of the time. La Presse journalist Marie-Eve Fournier's groceries increased 116 per cent, from $38 in-store to $82 from the same Montreal IGA on Uber Eats. Fournier admits she 'cheated a little' by selecting items from the flyer. My only guiding principle was choosing products I usually buy at Sobeys: chicken thighs, dried beans, yogurt, cheese, arugula, frozen blueberries, sparkling water, tortilla chips and toilet paper. Four of the nine items I bought were Sobeys' house brand, Compliments. Three were on sale in-store, two of which were reduced in-app. I added products to my virtual cart at the same time as my physical one, making sure there was plenty of stock so my Uber Eats shopper wouldn't have any issues fulfilling the order. It occurred to me as I completed my purchase that we were in the store at the same time. As I fumbled at the self-checkout, my shopper was already walking the aisles. They delivered my order a little over an hour after I placed it. Regular-priced items such as arugula, dried beans, sparkling water and tortilla chips were five per cent more expensive in the app than in the Sobeys store. Of the in-store sale items, yogurt and frozen blueberries cost 17 per cent more online, and toilet paper went up 40 per cent. Let that sink in. Call me naive, but I assumed the prices in an online storefront would match those on physical shelves. 'Join the club,' says Sylvain Charlebois, senior director of Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab, a colleague of Fournier's but not involved in her Uber Eats column. 'I used Instacart a few times during COVID, and that's it. So, I wasn't aware of these price discrepancies at all, and I suspect many Canadians aren't either.' According to Keerthana Rang, corporate communications lead at Uber Canada, 'Merchants are responsible for setting their own prices on their Uber Eats storefronts. Prices set by merchants in the Uber Eats app may differ from those in-store. Merchants that do offer in-store pricing on Uber Eats are highlighted with an 'in-store pricing' badge in the app, such as Metro, Food Basics, LCBO and Giant Tiger.' So, why do some retailers set higher grocery prices on delivery apps than in stores? Sobeys, which has partnerships with Instacart and Uber Eats, didn't exactly answer the question. 'The pricing on these platforms reflect different service models. In-store promotions and promotions featured on Voilà may not be applicable on Uber Eats and/or Instacart,' Sobeys said in an email to National Post. At time of writing, a Sobeys spokesperson hadn't responded to a request for more information on the nature of these service models and how they affect the prices of regular (non-sale) items. On Voilà, the supermarket chain's home delivery service, prices for the products I bought matched those in-store. 'We've grown to accept or expect that prices are going to be consistent in-store and online,' says Jenna Jacobson, the director of Toronto Metropolitan University's Retail Leadership Institute and an associate professor focused on retail management. 'But there are many, many times, even in regular retail, where that's not the case, where things may be more expensive in-store even.' A disconnect between prices can happen in other sectors, but an online surcharge is especially common with groceries, takeout and restaurants, Jacobson explains. 'It's quite a complicated consumer marketplace, and every app or retailer gets to set the terms. The power consumers have is determining whether they buy into it, whether it's worth it for them or not.' Pricing inconsistencies are just one part of the issue — there are also the fees. On May 28, Toronto-based law firm Koskie Minsky LLP filed a statement of claim against Uber Eats Canada, alleging it charges customers a hidden fee of roughly 10 per cent of the cart. The firm told CTV News that the levy is a 'quintessential example of drip pricing practices' (when companies draw customers in with low prices only to add mandatory fees at checkout). Similarly, on June 9, the Competition Bureau announced it's suing DoorDash for its 'deceptive price and discount advertising.' (DoorDash has disputed the Competition Bureau's allegations.) Does rice contain arsenic? Yes, here's how you can reduce the risk Protein coffee is gaining momentum, with Tim Hortons and Starbucks joining the fray Allegations of drip pricing aside, I was aware of the fees applying to my grocery order before I authorized the transaction: bag fee ($1, which 'may apply if mandated by law or charged by the merchant,' says Rang), service fee ($6.99), delivery fee ($2.99) and tax ($4.82). (Plus a 15 per cent tip; $14.55.) What wasn't apparent, though, is that the grocery prices were higher. Despite my surprise, the 45-per-cent increase I experienced aligns with what Jacobson would expect. Fournier's 116-per-cent increase 'would be a lot.' Individual grocery items could cost from five to 15 per cent more online, which is also mostly what I experienced. (The 40 per cent toilet paper increase was the outlier.) Mark-ups vary across platforms, restaurants and retailers, making them challenging for consumers to detect. On average, though, they equate to 'a significantly higher bill,' says Jacobson. They can depend on the time of day or length of the delivery window. You could join a subscription model, in which you pay a set fee each month in exchange for lower service and delivery fees, or you could pay the standard fees plus 'an optional, but often expected' tip. In the case of Uber Eats, 100 per cent of the tip goes 'directly to the delivery people,' says Rang. Earnings also include the fare, which is based on the estimated distance and time. 'Additionally, in B.C., and beginning July 1 in Ontario, a government-initiated minimum earnings standard is in place, ensuring that delivery people receive a guaranteed base pay for their engaged time.' Factoring in the fees and potentially higher item prices, 'your typical delivery app order for your groceries is certainly going to have a large convenience premium,' says Jacobson. For some consumers, these premiums may be justified. 'When you're talking about grocery, there's a pretty significant amount of time that people are spending in the grocery store going around, picking their fruits and vegetables and finding the produce.' Jacobson suggests consumers be strategic: Avoid paying more for last-minute or evening delivery slots and determine which platform works best for what you need, which changes over time. Charlebois also highlights the 'sky-high' cost of convenience when using apps like Uber Eats for groceries. The ethics of the issue are critical, he adds. 'I think everyone agrees that there's a price to pay for convenience. But does that price go up when greed is involved? And when you have seniors and people that are chronically ill — they just got an operation, they're not able to be mobile for a while, they can't leave their home — they have to get their food delivered, and they're paying extra for all that.' Some people who use food delivery apps for groceries have options, 'but many do not,' says Charlebois. According to Statistics Canada's consumer price index, the food inflation rate fell from 3.8 per cent in April to 3.4 per cent in May. On June 24, 'I posted that and online, people are saying, 'Oh, my God, it's too much.' We're talking 45 per cent,' says Charlebois, referencing the price difference I encountered. 'Forty-five — for food.' Jacobson says there's 'big growth' in grocery delivery, with players such as Uber Eats offering promotions to entice people to place their first orders and move from in-store shopping. According to Statista, the revenue of the grocery delivery market alone is expected to grow by 10.8 per cent in 2026. This year, the average revenue per Canadian grocery delivery user is estimated to be roughly $753. Consumers need to know what's playing into the premium they're paying before they can make an informed decision about whether the extra cost is worth it to them or not. When I ask Jacobson who's responsible for sharing this information, she said, 'There's definitely a shared responsibility (between retailers and platforms). But at the end of the day, it's the consumer who makes the decision as to where they want to spend their money.' So, after all of this, who should I be mad at? One thing's for sure: not my shopper, who left the comfort of their air-conditioned car to haul groceries on the hottest day since July 13, 2016. Thank you for your service. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our cookbook and recipe newsletter, Cook This, here.
National Post
2 days ago
- Business
- National Post
These groceries cost 45% more from Sobeys' Uber Eats than in-store
Article content Inspired by a La Presse experiment, I learned the cost of convenience. It's not just the expected fees that add to the hefty totals for groceries ordered via food delivery apps, though. Overall, ordering from Sobeys' Uber Eats storefront was 45 per cent more expensive than shopping IRL. My bill jumped from $73.16 at a Toronto brick-and-mortar Sobeys location to $105.88 via the delivery app. Article content Article content Bag, service and delivery fees, tip and taxes notwithstanding, my items cost 16 per cent more in-app, and the on-shelf sales applied only two-thirds of the time. Article content Article content Article content La Presse journalist Marie-Eve Fournier's groceries increased 116 per cent, from $38 in-store to $82 from the same Montreal IGA on Uber Eats. Fournier admits she 'cheated a little' by selecting items from the flyer. My only guiding principle was choosing products I usually buy at Sobeys: chicken thighs, dried beans, yogurt, cheese, arugula, frozen blueberries, sparkling water, tortilla chips and toilet paper. Article content Four of the nine items I bought were Sobeys' house brand, Compliments. Three were on sale in-store, two of which were reduced in-app. Article content I added products to my virtual cart at the same time as my physical one, making sure there was plenty of stock so my Uber Eats shopper wouldn't have any issues fulfilling the order. It occurred to me as I completed my purchase that we were in the store at the same time. As I fumbled at the self-checkout, my shopper was already walking the aisles. They delivered my order a little over an hour after I placed it. Article content Article content Regular-priced items such as arugula, dried beans, sparkling water and tortilla chips were five per cent more expensive in the app than in the Sobeys store. Of the in-store sale items, yogurt and frozen blueberries cost 17 per cent more online, and toilet paper went up 40 per cent. Let that sink in. Article content Article content Call me naive, but I assumed the prices in an online storefront would match those on physical shelves. 'Join the club,' says Sylvain Charlebois, senior director of Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab, a colleague of Fournier's but not involved in her Uber Eats column. 'I used Instacart a few times during COVID, and that's it. So, I wasn't aware of these price discrepancies at all, and I suspect many Canadians aren't either.' Article content According to Keerthana Rang, corporate communications lead at Uber Canada, 'Merchants are responsible for setting their own prices on their Uber Eats storefronts. Prices set by merchants in the Uber Eats app may differ from those in-store. Merchants that do offer in-store pricing on Uber Eats are highlighted with an 'in-store pricing' badge in the app, such as Metro, Food Basics, LCBO and Giant Tiger.'
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Best Mart 360 Debuts on foodpanda mall in Hong Kong
Over 500 Premium Global Products Now Available for Convenient Home Shopping Best Mart 360 ˚ 1. Shop L, G/F, 484-496 Queen's Road West, Shek Tong Tsui 6. Shop 301, L3, New Jade Shopping Arcade, Chai Wan 2. Shop Nos. D09-D13a, First Floor, Queensway Plaza, 93 Queensway, Admiralty 7. Shop A and B, Ground Floor, 3-5 Stanley New Street, Stanley 3. Shop No. 1, G/F, 334-336 King's Road, North Point 8. Shop E, G/F, Albert House,22 Chengtu Road, Aberdeen 4. Shop D, G/F, Ellen Building, 192-198 Shau Kei Wan Road, Shau Kei Wan 9. Shop 17, G/F, Hang Fung Mansion,17-19 Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley 5. Shop 3 & Shop 4, G/F, 981 King's Road, Quarry Bay 10. Shop A, G/F, 194-204 Johnston Road, Wanchai 1. Shop 18, G/F, 1-7 Wu Kwong Street, Hung Hom 6. Shop UG22, UG/F, Temple Mall South, Wong Tai Sin 2. G/F, 128-130 Nga Tsin Wai Road, Kowloon City 7. Shops 79-80, 1/F, Laguna Plaza, Kwun Tong 3. G/F, 511 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei 4. G/F, 180 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui 5. Shop G19, G/F, Un Chau Shopping Centre, Cheung Sha Wan 1. Shop 205A, L2, Tai Wo Plaza, Tai Po 9. Shop Nos. 4A, 4B and 19, G/F,Chung On Shopping Centre, Ma On Shan 2. Shop No. A212, Level 2, YOHO Mall II, Yuen Long 10. Shop 53B, 55A & 55B, 3/F, Shatin Centre, Sha Tin 3. Shop No. L045, G/F, Tin Yiu Plaza, Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai 11. Shop Nos. TAW 31-32, MTR Tai Wai Station, Tai Wai 4. Shop Nos. H-217 & H-218A, Level 2, Zone H, H.A.N.D.S., Tuen Mun 12. Shops G2-3 & G16-18, G/F, Tai Hung Fai(Tsuen Wan) Centre, Chung On Street, Tsuen Wan 5. Shop Nos. 209-211, 1/F, Fanling Centre, Fanling 13. Shop TSY 30-31, Tsing Yi Station, Tsing Yi 6. Shop Nos. UG046-47, UG/F,Metro City Phase II, Tseung Kwan O 14. Shop No. B (2-8, 23-25), 2/F, Sun Kwai Hing Plaza, Kwai Chung 7. Shop 15, G/F, Sai Kung Garden, 16 Chan Man Street, Sai Kung 15. Shop 105, 1/F, Fu Tung Plaza, Tung Chung 8. Shops F75-76, 1/F, PopCorn 2, Tseung Kwan O FoodVille 1. Shop No. G8-9 &16-19 on Ground Floor of Amoy Plaza Gardens, Phase I, 77 Ngau Tau Kok Road, Ngau Tau Kok 1. Shop Unit 304, The LOHAS, LOHAS Park, Tseung Kwan O 4. Shop No. 354, Level 2, Zone E, Tai Po Mega Mall, Tai Po 2. Shop 183, Level 1, Maritime Square 2, Tsing Yi 5. Shop Unit 503, Level 5, The Wai, Sha Tin 3. Shop No. 3013, Level 3, MOSTown (Phase 4), Ma On Shan 6. Shop Nos. 152-153, Level 1, Park Central, 9 Tong Tak Street, Tseung Kwan O HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 25 June 2025 - Best Mart 360 Holdings Limited ("Best Mart 360" or the "Company", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"; stock code: a leading leisure food retailer in Hong Kong, is excited to announce that its flagship retail brand, "Best Mart 360˚" and its global gourmet brand, "FoodVille", are now available on foodpanda mall. In addition to its extensive network of over 170 stores across Hong Kong, Best Mart 360 is committed to expanding its online platform services, seamlessly integrating online and offline experiences to provide customers with a more convenient and comprehensive shopping its global sourcing expertise, Best Mart 360 brings an extensive range of over 500 high-quality, competitively priced yet premium products to foodpanda mall, including (i) popular snacks such as biscuits, candies, and chocolates from Japan, Korea, Europe, and the Americas; (ii) exclusive flagship brands and featured products; (iii) a curated selection of international wines, sake, and beers; and (iv) premium cooking oils, condiments, and essential household foodpanda Mall, customers can order their favorite products, and foodpanda couriers will pick them up from selected Best Mart 360° or FoodVille stores, delivering in as little as 30 minutes. The service will initially be piloted at 39 stores and will gradually expand to more locations, unveiling more best-selling items in the near future., said, "We are delighted to collaborate with foodpanda to bring our global premium products online. This collaboration meets our customers' demand for convenience, offering access to high-quality, competitively priced items anytime, anywhere. It further embodies our brand commitment of 'Premium Living, Within Reach,' connecting us even closer to our customers' daily lives.", said, "We're dedicated to providing diverse lifestyle products. Best Mart 360's addition enhances our offerings, particularly for imported snacks and groceries, solidifying foodpanda mall as Hong Kong's go-to one-stop delivery platform."List of Designated Branches:Hashtag: #優品360 #BestMart360 #foodpanda #foodpandamall The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Best Mart 360 Holdings Limited Best Mart 360 Holdings Limited operates chain retail stores under the brand "Best Mart 360˚ ", offering wide selection of imported and pre-packaged leisure foods and other grocery products principally from overseas. It is the Group's business objective to offer "Best Quality" and "Best Price" products to customers through continuous efforts on global procurement with a mission to provide comfortable shopping environment and pleasurable shopping experience to customers. As at 31 December 2024, the Group operated a total of 176 chain retail stores, spanning all of the 18 districts in Hong Kong and strategic locations with heavy pedestrian flow in Macau. Among the chain retail stores, the global gourmet brand "FoodVille" launched in September 2021 is also included, targeting the medium-to-high-end-market.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
United States Ready to Drink Cocktail Market Forecast Report 2025-2033
The U.S. Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Cocktail Market is projected to surge from $860 million in 2024 to $2.66 billion by 2033, growing at a 13.44% CAGR from 2025-2033. The market's growth is fueled by millennials and Gen Z's demand for high-quality, convenient cocktails in novel flavors. Covering malt, spirit, and wine-based types, and packed in bottles or cans, this market explores various distribution channels like supermarkets, online, and liquor stores across the East, West, North, and South U.S. regions. Key market players include Diageo, Bacardi, and Suntory, showcasing innovations like gluten-free options and eco-friendly packaging to meet consumer demand. U.S. Ready to Drink Cocktail Market Dublin, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "United States Ready to Drink Cocktail Market Size and Share Analysis - Growth Trends and Forecast Report 2025-2033" report has been added to United States Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Cocktail Market is expected to reach US$ 2.66 billion in revenue by 2033, up from US$ 860 million in 2024. This is attributed to growing consumer interest in convenient, high-quality pre-mixed cocktails, creative flavor options, and increasing popularity among millennials and Gen Z. The market will grow at a CAGR of 13.44% from 2025 to 2033. Ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails are ready-to-consume alcoholic drinks that blend spirits, mixers, and flavor in a ready-to-eat, convenient package. Usually placed in bottles or cans, they offer consumers the opportunity to do away with preparation and simply drink them. RTD cocktails are available in different flavors, from traditional mojitos and margaritas to new craft cocktails are a hit in America because they're convenient, easy to carry, and of very good quality. They're heavily consumed at backyard parties, at the beach, at concerts and sporting events, and outdoor fests. This premiumization phenomenon has fueled consumer demand for low-calorie, organic, better-quality RTDs. As consumers become more health-conscious, brands are launching low-sugar, gluten-free, and lower-alcohol versions to meet changing tastes. The U.S. RTD cocktail market continues to expand as consumers have been looking for convenient, flavorful, and complex alcoholic drinks that can be consumed on the go and fit into their active of Growth in the United States Ready-to-Drink Cocktail Market Increasing Consumer Demand for Convenience and On-the-Go FoodsThe high-paced lifestyle of American consumers has fueled demand for convenient, ready-to-drink alcoholic products. RTD cocktails remove the hassle of mixing and preparation, so they are ideal for home entertainment, outdoor parties, and travel. Canned and bottled RTD cocktails have become extremely popular as consumers look for easy-to-carry, portable solutions. The convenience of sipping a high-quality cocktail without a bartender has also encouraged their use, particularly among Gen Z and millennials consumers who want quality and convenience in their alcoholic beverage consumption. Feb 2025, Pernod Ricard USA's Absolut brand introduced new ready-to-serve (RTS) and ready-to-drink (RTD) flavors in the form of extending its Absolut Ocean Spray RTD brand and Absolut RTD of Premium and Healthy RTD BrandsConsumers are moving towards health-conscious and premium drinking options, and this is driving demand for low-calorie, organic, and gluten-free RTD cocktails. Brands are launching low-sugar, keto-friendly, and all-natural ingredient cocktails for health-conscious drinkers. High-end spirits like tequila, vodka, and whiskey are also being used in RTD cocktails and providing bar-quality drinks in convenient form. This trend of premiumization is compelling long-standing liquor companies and craft distilleries to explore the RTD cocktail market. Dec 2024, Suntory Holdings launched new Japanese-inspired sparkling cocktail MARU-HI, expanding its US Ready-to-Drink portfolio. Launched in California in January 2025, it is expected to expand in other states next year, aligning with Suntory's vision to be a top global RTD company by of E-Commerce and Alcohol Delivery ServicesThe growth of alcohol delivery services and online alcohol sales has greatly accelerated the RTD cocktail market in the U.S. Most states have eased alcohol delivery regulations, enabling consumers to buy RTD cocktails from apps, websites, and third-party delivery services such as Drizly and Instacart. This has made it convenient for consumers to try new RTD brands and flavors without having to go to a physical store. The convenience of home delivery and online promotions is fueling additional growth in RTD cocktail consumption. Sept.2024, Potieri officially launched in South Florida, where it offers its premium ready-to-serve Passion Fruit cocktail. It is now available at Sweeney Liquor, 24/7 Liquors, County Line Liquors, and 24HR Liquors, with Potieri seeking to elevate the cocktail experience with a touch of luxury and in the United States Ready-to-Drink Cocktail Market Complicated Alcohol Laws and Distribution LimitationsAlcohol distribution and sales in the U.S. are both state and federal regulated, creating different limitations by region. There are some states that have rigorous licensing laws or taxation regulations that restrict the presence of RTD cocktails in some retail stores. Some alcohol-by-volume (ABV) limitations also limit how potent an RTD cocktail can be, and it becomes difficult for brands to provide higher-proof products. These regulatory barriers can delay market growth and pose logistical issues for Market Competition from Beer, Hard Seltzers, and SpiritsThe RTD cocktail segment is confronted with intense competition from traditional alcoholic drink segments such as beer, hard seltzers, and conventional spirits. Most consumers continue to favor craft beers, wine, or homemade mixed drinks over pre-mixed drinks. Hard seltzers have also dominated the low-calorie alcohol segment, posing a competitive threat to RTD cocktail brands seeking to appeal to health-conscious consumers. RTD brands need to differentiate themselves by offering distinctive flavors, packaging, and marketing to remain competitive. Key Players Analysis: Overviews, Key Persons, Recent Developments, Revenue Ranch Rider Spirits Co. House of Delola, LLC Diageo plc. Brown-Forman Bacardi Limited Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd. Pernod Ricard Halewood Wines & Spirits White Claw Suntory Holdings Limited High Noon Spirits Company Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 200 Forecast Period 2024 - 2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $860 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $2660 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 13.4% Regions Covered United States Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction2. Research & Methodology3. Executive Summary4. Market Dynamics4.1 Growth Drivers4.2 Challenges5. United States Ready to drink Cocktail Market6. Market Share6.1 By Type6.2 By Packaging6.3 By Distribution Channel6.4 By Region7. Type7.1 Malt based7.2 Spirit-based7.3 Wine-based8. Packaging8.1 Bottles8.2 Cans9. Distribution Channel9.1 Supermarkets and Hypermarkets9.2 Online Stores9.3 Liquor Stores10. Region10.1 East10.2 West10.3 North10.4 South11. Porter's Five Analysis11.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers11.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers11.3 Degree of Rivalry11.4 Threat of New Entrants11.5 Threat of Substitutes12. SWOT Analysis12.1 Strength12.2 Weakness12.3 Opportunity12.4 Threat13. Company Analysis For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment U.S. Ready to Drink Cocktail Market CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
News.com.au
6 days ago
- News.com.au
Your devices are listening to you, here's how to keep your data safe
Once upon a time, 'home tech' meant a microwave with a popcorn button. Now? Your fridge can suggest dinner, your lights know when you're feeling romantic, and your doorbell can recognise your mother-in-law before you do. As an Australian tech expert and author, I've seen first-hand how smart homes are changing the way we live – for better and occasionally for weirder. Welcome to the age of the smart home – where convenience is queen, and your devices are always listening (and sometimes talking back). The rise of the digital housekeeper Smart homes have shifted from novelty to near necessity. Whether it's a voice assistant that queues up your favourite podcast while you cook, a thermostat that adjusts to your body clock, or a vacuum that maps your floor plan with military precision, these devices are all about making life easier. And let's be honest – most of us are loving the convenience. Yelling 'turn off the lights' from bed, checking your front door camera from the beach … it's the stuff of Jetsons dreams. But while these gadgets are undeniably helpful, they're also quietly collecting data. And lots of it. What exactly are they learning? Every time you interact with a smart device, it picks up more than just your commands. Your smart speaker knows your music preferences, wake-up time, and whether you're a loyal almond milk drinker. Your smart TV tracks what you watch, when, and for how long. Even your robot vacuum? It's got a better map of your house than you probably do. Individually, these bits of data might seem harmless. But combined, they build a detailed profile of your routines, preferences, and even your mood. Here in Australia, we're on track to hit 357 million internet-connected devices by the end of 2025, with smart home adoption expected in 91 per cent of households. That's a lot of tech -and a serious amount of personal data floating around. Who's collecting this data – and why? Most smart devices send data back to their parent companies – think Amazon, Google, Apple, Samsung. The official line is that it helps improve services, personalise your experience, and yes, target you with ads. But here's the thing – more than half of smart home users don't actually understand how their data is collected or used. That's especially true with devices like smart thermostats, which might seem innocuous but can reveal a lot about your daily routines. As artificial intelligence gets baked into more of these systems, that knowledge becomes even more powerful – and potentially more problematic. The privacy trade-off (and why it doesn't have to be scary) Let's call it for what it is: we're all trading a bit of privacy for convenience. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. Think of it like using a loyalty card at the supermarket. You get discounts and rewards, but the store gets insight into your shopping habits. With smart homes, the exchange is similar – just with higher stakes. What matters is understanding the deal. If we know what we're giving away, we're better placed to make decisions about what we're comfortable with. And it's something we should be teaching our kids too: privacy is a form of currency in the digital age. Smart home safety checklist • Mute when not in use – Most smart speakers have a physical mute button. Use it. • Limit permissions – Only give apps access to what they truly need. • Update regularly – Security patches matter. • Use strong passwords – And don't stick with the default ones. • Check your settings – Most devices let you control what's collected and shared. Want to know what your device knows about you? Here's a simple way to dig deeper. Try popping this prompt into your favourite AI chatbot: 'You are a privacy and cybersecurity expert. Explain what data is collected by a [insert brand/model] smart [device type], how that data is stored and used, and how I can access, limit, or delete it.' It's a great way to start a conversation with your tech – and take back a little control. The future of smart living Smart homes aren't just here to stay – they're evolving fast. AI-powered systems are already starting to anticipate our needs before we ask. Think lighting that shifts to suit your mood or playlists that kick in when your stress levels spike. We're even seeing emotion-sensing tech that can detect tone of voice and respond accordingly. Imagine your home knowing you've had a rubbish day – so it dims the lights, queues up your comfort show, and orders Thai. Not bad, right? But as our homes become more intuitive, the line between helpful and invasive starts to blur. The goal is to find a balance – embrace the benefits while staying informed and in control. Because your home should be your sanctuary, not a surveillance hub.
