Athena Kugblenu Critiques Intrusive Online Shopping Emails
Published on December 27, 2025, in The Guardian, comedian and writer Athena Kugblenu delivers a satirical commentary on the excessive emails consumers receive after making an online purchase. Kugblenu asserts that consumers desire no more than two emails related to their purchase: one confirming the order and another providing a delivery update.
Through satire, she highlights the intrusive nature of the entire online shopping journey, including frequent basket reminders, prompts to sign in or choose guest checkout, and third-party cashback offers. Additional satirical scenes depict post-purchase surveys, dispatch and delivery notices, and even a final prompt to review the purchase humorously etched in steam.
The article argues that post-purchase emails often feel like harassment rather than reassurance and makes a case for ending this barrage of intrusive communications.
