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 – and 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

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 Ms 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.

“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.”