Couch Economy: Online Spending Surges as Convenience Redefines Shopping Habits

Visa data show U.S. online spending rising from 48% of domestic expenditure in 2019 to 58% in 2026, with the share of frequent online buyers (10+ transactions/month) increasing from 13.1% in 2018 to 25.4% in 2026. Digital habits are becoming routine as people buy groceries, stream entertainment, and have meals delivered from mobile devices, aided by AI for price discovery. Subscriptions and at-home entertainment spending have grown, food-delivery use is up, and pet-related spending at home is rising, signaling a broader “couch economy” driven by convenience.