Sydney, 19th February 2026 – Australians reclaiming "me time" after long, busy days are fuelling a new shopping habit, with PayPal research revealing late-night online browsing could be costing more than just sleep.
Dubbed 'Sleepy Shopping' by PayPal, new research reveals nearly four-in-five (79%) Aussies have made online purchases between 9pm and 5am. Almost one-in-four (23%) admit to shopping during these hours at least once a month, with smartphones making it easier than ever to browse, buy and checkout from bed.
Fatigue fuels impulse spending, forgotten purchases and buyer's regret
While late-night shopping may seem harmless, PayPal's Bedtime Browsing Report shows that shoppers believe fatigue impacts their decision-making. The large majority of Australians agree that tiredness affects judgement, with 86% saying fatigue makes it harder to think clearly.
As a result, one-in-four night-time shoppers (25%) say they are more likely to buy impulsively late at night, and one-in-five (22%) admit they've spent more than planned when shopping after dark. In addition, 16% have received parcels they even forgot they ordered, with 18% buying items they later regretted.
"Our research shows 'Sleepy Shopping' is becoming a common habit for Australians, driven by busy days, constant connectivity and the ease of shopping from our phones," said Danielle Grant, Consumer Shopping Expert at PayPal Australia.
"But while late-night shopping can feel like a well-earned way to unwind, fatigue can cloud judgement and affect how Australians shop online. When we're tired, we're more likely to make impulse purchases or spend more than planned – and those small decisions can add up quickly."
Don't sleep on the risks: late-night shopping makes us more susceptible to scams
Beyond overspending, late-night shopping also increases vulnerability to scams. More than four in five Australians (83%) agree it's easier to miss warning signs, small print or red flags when fatigued. 80% believe people are more likely to be scammed when they're tired, while more than three-quarters (76%) say fake websites are harder to recognise late at night.
This risk is already playing out with one in eight night-time shoppers (12%) admitting they've accidentally clicked on a suspicious link while browsing late at night, and 11% saying they've accidentally visited a fake website.
"Late-night shopping isn't going away but understanding how fatigue affects our judgement can help Aussies shop more safely," said Grant. "When you're tired, it's easier to rush a purchase or miss the warning signs of a scam."
Shopping smarter, even after dark
PayPal encourages Australians to take simple steps to protect themselves when shopping late at night, including slowing down, double-checking websites and using secure payment methods.
"Using trusted platforms and secure payment options like PayPal adds an extra layer of confidence," said Grant. "With PayPal Buyer Protection, eligible purchases are protected if items don't arrive, aren't as described, or arrive faulty, helping give shoppers greater peace of mind – even when they're browsing after bedtime."
"Stopping to think before you click 'buy', especially during major sales periods, can make a real difference to protecting both your money and your personal information."
