Calm Stores, Clear Sites: New Research Highlights How Seniors are Redefining Retail Expectations

SYDNEY, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- While many Australians are adjusting their spending in response to rising cost-of-living, new research from Manhattan Associates Inc. (NASDAQ: MANH) reveals that older Australians continue to play a significant role in discretionary retail. Backed by financial stability and a clear preference for personalised, supportive in-store experiences, over-55s represent a key growth opportunity for retailers who are willing to meet them on their terms.

Shoppers aged 55+ are spending, but their expectations are high

According to the research, 68% of mature-aged shoppers reported either no impact or improved confidence in their personal finances, despite ongoing interest rate pressures. Notably, 64% also said that special offers and promotions influence their spending decisions in-store, demonstrating a willingness to engage, provided the experience is worthwhile.

"These shoppers are among the most financially secure and active in the retail space," said Raghav Sibal, Vice President of APAC at Manhattan Associates. "But they're also more discerning. They're not shopping just for products, they're shopping for a comfortable, helpful and human experience."

The research revealed that older Australians value a quieter, calmer in-store environment. Two-thirds (66%) of shoppers aged 55 and over said they would prefer retailers to turn down in-store music or avoid it altogether, with one in four (24%) reporting they have actively avoided stores that feel too loud or chaotic.

In addition to creating the right environment, staffing also plays a critical role in shaping the in-store experience for senior shoppers. Only 26% of over-55s said they like to shop entirely independently. Most prefer some level of support, particularly when engaging with new technologies or unfamiliar products. Encouragingly for retailers, 41% of mature-aged consumers said they would shop in-store more often if there were more staff available to assist.

"Retailers sometimes assume that mature-age shoppers want to be left alone, but the data tells a different story. This group values human connection, reassurance, and calm environments. Creating in-store experiences that reduce sensory overload and provide access to well-informed, available staff will go a long way in driving loyalty and repeat visits," said Sibal.

Technology should support, not replace, human interaction

Senior shoppers are not averse to using technology instore with 73% of shoppers being comfortable using self-checkouts and similar solutions. However, of those surveyed 40% of shoppers said that they usually prefer or require some assistance when using these tools.

"Mature-aged Australian shoppers are often willing to try and use instore technologies to speed up their retail experience, however they often need to be supported by knowledgeable staff in-store," said Sibal. "It's that personal interaction that makes the difference, someone who can answer questions or offer guidance."

Older Australians are increasingly confident online, but want reassurance and clarity

Contrary to common assumptions, senior shoppers are far from digital holdouts. In fact, 65% of Australians aged 55 and over now say they are more likely to shop online due to factors like convenience, better access to deals and broader product selection available through digital channels.

This growing digital fluency is also reflected in user experience, with 57% of mature-age shoppers reporting they rarely or never encounter issues when shopping online. Only 10% say they frequently run into problems, highlighting a general comfort with digital retail.

However, attracting and retaining these shoppers requires retailers to understand the needs of older shoppers. A third (32%) say they would be encouraged to shop online more often if retailers provided clear reassurance around website security. Meanwhile, 28% want more detailed product descriptions and customer reviews to support informed decision-making and 20% said easier-to-navigate websites would increase their likelihood to purchase.

"We're seeing a generational shift in how older Australians interact with digital commerce. This group is highly pragmatic. They're not just looking for tech-savvy interfaces, rather they want clarity, trust and a sense of control. Retailers that invest in intuitive website design, transparent product information and strong cybersecurity messaging are more likely to win their confidence and their business," concluded Sibal.

For more information, please visit www.manh.com.au

Methodology:

Manhattan Associates surveyed 500 Australian consumers over the age of 55.

ABOUT MANHATTAN ASSOCIATES
Manhattan Associates is a global technology leader in supply chain and omnichannel commerce. We unite information across the enterprise, converging front-end sales with back-end supply chain execution. Our software, platform technology and unmatched experience help drive both top-line growth and bottom-line profitability for our customers.

Manhattan Associates designs, builds, and delivers leading edge cloud and on-premises solutions so that across the store, through your network or from your fulfillment centre, you are ready to reap the rewards of the omnichannel marketplace. For more information, please visit www.manh.com 

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Calm Stores, Clear Sites: New Research Highlights How Seniors are Redefining Retail Expectations

• New framework brings together Aon's Risk Capital and Human Capital data with public sentiment analysis from Gallup to create a portfolio view of risk
• Creates further clarity into how risks compound across four megatrends, how resilience is built and activated and where targeted actions can most effectively influence performance

DUBLIN, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, announced today that it is releasing insights from a new, data-driven tool to help organizations build sustainable resilience and unlock growth: Aon's Resilience Quotient.

Developed in collaboration with Gallup, Aon's Resilience Quotient responds to a critical insight: in a time of increasing populism and fragmented sources of information, quantitative data alone is not enough to make long-term decisions. Combining public sentiment on global issues with risk and people data and analytics enables greater clarity and confidence to invest and grow amidst uncertainty and volatility.

By integrating Aon's proprietary Risk Capital and Human Capital analytics with the results of Gallup's World Poll covering 140 countries for more than 20 years, the firm's Resilience Quotient captures both objective conditions and subjective sentiment, revealing where sentiment signals hidden risks and potential opportunities to achieve greater resilience. This system-level view enables leaders to spot emerging risks sooner, prioritize resilience investments and move from reactive risk management to proactive decision-making.

"When making decisions around investment, workforce or managing geopolitical risk, a portfolio view is far superior to a siloed perspective," said Greg Case, president and CEO of Aon. "Understanding sentiment can be an opportunity signal or an early warning. Leaders who are limited to only some of the relevant metrics risk missing the signals that matter most. Aon's Resilience Quotient delivers an integrated view to help organizations act decisively, strengthen resilience and unlock sustainable growth."

Four interconnected megatrends – Trade, Technology, Weather and Workforce – are reshaping the global operating environment in ways that traditional models struggle to anticipate. Aon's Resilience Quotient provides a clearer view of the tradeoffs within these interactions: how trade volatility can amplify technology risk, how climate pressures influence workforce mobility and how sentiment can either reinforce resilience or heighten operational risk, even when the fundamentals appear strong.   

To illustrate the insights from its Resilience Quotient, the firm published three case studies addressing some of the most relevant and urgent issues facing the 2026 global economy:

• Realizing the Opportunity of AI: Securing Data Center Growth
  Data centers are the backbone of the digital economy and with nearly $1.3 trillion projected to be invested globally in data centers by 2030, their rapid expansion brings unprecedented risks. Aon's Resilience Quotient shows that resilience varies sharply at the sub-national level, often more than underlying risk. Within the U.S., Iowa emerges as the most resilient destination for data center development, combining very low overall risk with exceptionally strong trade and weather resilience.

  "Aon's Resilience Quotient shows that Iowa's resilience–risk balance is roughly twice the national median, demonstrating how governance quality, institutional confidence and preparedness materially shape long-term infrastructure outcomes," said Joe Peiser, CEO of Commercial Risk Solutions at Aon. "This underscores the opportunity for leaders who understand the combined effect of low risk, resilient trade and weather systems and a strong foundation of public trust — factors that ultimately determine where AI infrastructure can grow at scale."

DUBLIN, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, announced today that it is releasing insights from a new, data-driven tool to help organizations build sustainable resilience and unlock growth: Aon's Resilience Quotient.

Developed in collaboration with Gallup, Aon's Resilience Quotient responds to a critical insight: in a time of increasing populism and fragmented sources of information, quantitative data alone is not enough to make long-term decisions. Combining public sentiment on global issues with risk and people data and analytics enables greater clarity and confidence to invest and grow amidst uncertainty and volatility.

By integrating Aon's proprietary Risk Capital and Human Capital analytics with the results of Gallup's World Poll covering 140 countries for more than 20 years, the firm's Resilience Quotient captures both objective conditions and subjective sentiment, revealing where sentiment signals hidden risks and potential opportunities to achieve greater resilience. This system-level view enables leaders to spot emerging risks sooner, prioritize resilience investments and move from reactive risk management to proactive decision-making.

"When making decisions around investment, workforce or managing geopolitical risk, a portfolio view is far superior to a siloed perspective," said Greg Case, president and CEO of Aon. "Understanding sentiment can be an opportunity signal or an early warning. Leaders who are limited to only some of the relevant metrics risk missing the signals that matter most. Aon's Resilience Quotient delivers an integrated view to help organizations act decisively, strengthen resilience and unlock sustainable growth."

Four interconnected megatrends – Trade, Technology, Weather and Workforce – are reshaping the global operating environment in ways that traditional models struggle to anticipate. Aon's Resilience Quotient provides a clearer view of the tradeoffs within these interactions: how trade volatility can amplify technology risk, how climate pressures influence workforce mobility and how sentiment can either reinforce resilience or heighten operational risk, even when the fundamentals appear strong.   

To illustrate the insights from its Resilience Quotient, the firm published three case studies addressing some of the most relevant and urgent issues facing the 2026 global economy:

"Aon's Resilience Quotient shows that Iowa's resilience–risk balance is roughly twice the national median, demonstrating how governance quality, institutional confidence and preparedness materially shape long-term infrastructure outcomes," said Joe Peiser, CEO of Commercial Risk Solutions at Aon. "This underscores the opportunity for leaders who understand the combined effect of low risk, resilient trade and weather systems and a strong foundation of public trust — factors that ultimately determine where AI infrastructure can grow at scale."

• Workforce Transformation: AI Adoption and the Next Generation Workforce 
  The acceleration of AI adoption is transforming the workforce, but most organizations face a critical gap between the demand for AI skills and their readiness to adapt. The Resilience Quotient highlights how workforce engagement, trust and institutional preparedness are essential to harnessing AI's potential, making resilience the key differentiator between organizations that thrive through change and those that risk falling behind.

  "Aon's Resilience Quotient equips leaders to navigate rapid AI change with confidence," said Lisa Stevens, chief administrative officer at Aon. "These insights help create the conditions for early‑career employees to build the skills and confidence they need — so instead of losing a generation of talent, we cultivate one that is more capable and resilient than ever."

"Aon's Resilience Quotient equips leaders to navigate rapid AI change with confidence," said Lisa Stevens, chief administrative officer at Aon. "These insights help create the conditions for early‑career employees to build the skills and confidence they need — so instead of losing a generation of talent, we cultivate one that is more capable and resilient than ever."

• Rethinking Humanitarian Finance: A New Approach to Forced Migration
  Over 120 million people are currently displaced by conflict, climate and systemic crises, reshaping societies and economies worldwide. Aon's Resilience Quotient highlights Venezuela and Colombia to illustrate the tradeoffs between investing resources at the source of migration — supporting those facing institutional erosion, food insecurity and economic collapse — or directing investment to more stable countries like Colombia that are absorbing people fleeing unlivable conditions.

  "Forced displacement results from extreme weather and man-made disasters like conflict and economic failure," said Bridget Gainer, chief public affairs officer at Aon. "If we could leverage the forecasting and financial capability of insurance to better predict and more quickly mitigate the impact of this volatility, we could help create conditions that allow populations to remain and rebuild in their home countries."

"Forced displacement results from extreme weather and man-made disasters like conflict and economic failure," said Bridget Gainer, chief public affairs officer at Aon. "If we could leverage the forecasting and financial capability of insurance to better predict and more quickly mitigate the impact of this volatility, we could help create conditions that allow populations to remain and rebuild in their home countries."

"Resilience is not a single blueprint, it's the way systems mitigate, adapt and transform under pressure. Aon's Resilience Quotient functions as a pressure gauge, surfacing the trade‑offs and early signals that help leaders strengthen resilience where it matters most," said Joe Daly, managing partner at Gallup. "We're proud to collaborate with Aon to combine Gallup's global sentiment analytics with Aon's Risk Capital and Human Capital data, turning confidence into actionable insight."

New insights from Aon's Resilience Quotient suggest that going forward, resilience priorities will shift from static risk management to dynamic, localized strategies. As disruptions become more complex and frequent, organizations will need to tailor resilience investments to specific geographies, sectors and even sub-regional contexts. Aon's Resilience Quotient is supported with a real-time analytics and AI-enabled insights platform, built by Quantum Rise, providing deeper visibility into evolving risk and resilience signals as conditions change.

Aon and Gallup will join global decision-makers at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting to advance these critical discussions on restoring confidence and unlocking sustainable growth.

Learn more about Aon's Resilience Quotient and explore the case studies here.

About Aon
Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that help protect and grow their businesses.

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** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **



Aon's Resilience Quotient Cuts Through Uncertainty and Volatility to Help Businesses Move from Risk to Resilience and Growth