Conversion hasn’t stopped working — confidence has. As brands head into 2026, familiar psychological tactics are creating hesitation rather than action. This article explores why trust, clarity, emotional safety, and judgement are now the defining forces behind modern conversion.

Speaking at an event focused on storytelling powered by data I thought I'd take this opportunity to some truths. Let's make it clear from the start, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics has become a very sharp double-edged sword. While these technologies offer unprecedented insights into consumer behavior, there's a growing concern I have about the over-reliance on data-driven decisions that can and does erode a retailer's unique brand identity