Economic downturns tend to produce an upturn in dance music. Beyoncé’s Renaissance signalled the return of the recession banger as people look for low-cost ways of letting loose.

Recession ravers

Gens Z and Y are dealing with economic stress by indulging in little moments of escapism. Creating a ‘treat yourself’ culture, young people are searching for small luxuries to get by.

Little treats 

With branded luxury goods out of their price range, people are turning to dupes as the new cool. This shift is symbolic of people’s financial abilities and changing perceptions of luxury and status.

Dupe hype

As wealth gaps widen and resentment grows, there has been a growth in anti-capitalist ‘eat the rich’ narratives, which play out the downfall of the world's wealthiest in darkly comic ways. 

Anti-capitalist entertainment

As people turn to bargain-hunting to get by, even the wealthiest are leaving behind premium products for dollar store deals, signalling changing perceptions of branding and product quality.

Dollar stores

Art Basel Paris, opening on October 16th at the Grand Palais, is launching its first-ever branded fragrance, Œillet Pourpre, in collaboration with Parisian perfume house Guerlain. Luxury and cultural experiences are becoming more entangled as brands look to reach a wider audience.

Guerlain x Art Basel Paris combines arts and fragrance

Fintech start-up Fizz has revamped its money app, which empowers US students to manage their money with confidence. While there’s no shortage of finance apps aimed at Gen Z, it’s zeroing in on college students’ unique financial mindsets and challenges to achieve meaningful personalization.

Fizz helps college students achieve financial wellness

How are people future-proofing their employment? What kind of support do parents need to prepare Gen Alpha for their career journeys? How is anti-work sentiment shaping better office environments? And what do employees want from gender equity measures?

Careers Sector Snapshot: October 2024

The last decade has seen an explosion of fintech companies in Africa attempting to bank the unbanked but none have been as successful as OPay. How exactly have OPay’s efforts to drive financial inclusion turned it into the country’s biggest fintech success story?

How OPay serves Nigeria’s financially underserved entrepreneurs

Luxury streetwear label Aries has partnered with Premier League club Arsenal on a 26-piece collection that pays homage to their shared birthplace of North London. Here, geography plays a key role in the credibility of the collaboration, but there are other ways to make co-branding appeal to shoppers.

Arsenal x Aries leans on the appeal of shared experience

With the cost of living crisis forcing Aussies to cook and entertain at home more, the kitchen is becoming more like the living room – a central communal area where families and friends come together. But with soaring rents contributing to space constraints, what appliances, design features, and smart solutions are seamlessly blending convenience with style?

What will Aussie kitchens look like in the future?

Australian shoppers are becoming less trusting of Australia’s biggest supermarkets because of fears about misleading pricing practices. The Australian government has announced a further $30 million in funding for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to combat this.

Australian trust in big supermarkets wanes

Germans are considering their purchases more carefully as inflation limits their spending power, and they're increasingly buying second-hand clothes.  The combination of budget constraints and environmental concerns is fueling the popularity of charity shops and circular fashion.

Inflation drives Germans to invest in second-hand clothes

Latin American SMEs, key to the region's economy, face limited access to credit and complex regulations but many are leveraging fintech, digital connectivity, and new educational models to drive growth. Can they unlock their full potential and spark a local economic renaissance?

What do Latin American SMEs need to thrive?

Australians’ appetite for holidays is insatiable. And despite a cost of living crisis, many are still willing to pay more for luxury accommodations and new, unique experiences. Many are also looking for multi-generational trips that offer something for the entire family.

What do Aussies want from luxury holidays?

Lox In A Box is a rare pandemic success story, bringing America’s best-loved bread roll to the land Down Under. Today, the neighbourhood mom-and-mom outlet is giving the nation more to love with branded merchandise worth repping and a menu that gets more exciting after hours.

How Lox In A Box built a community of deli lovers

A report found that Diwali shoppers want to make sustainable choices when buying for the holidays. The findings highlight that even on special occasions, people are still looking to shop with their values first, giving brands the opportunity to balance cost and climate consciousness creatively.

Indian shoppers stay eco-conscious for Diwali

Aussies are engaging with loyalty programmes to save money, while also gaining emotional rewards through gamification and a sense of community. As travel priorities shift, loyalty programmes for airlines and hotels provide exclusive experiences and incentives that cater to Aussie individuality.

How Aussies reap emotional value from loyalty programmes

For over 157 years, Arnott’s has been central to snacking Down Under, offering everything from Taylor Swift-inspired Tim Tams to the exclusive Yo-Yos of the south. As Australians embrace more snack-focused eating habits, how is Arnott’s reinforcing its prized place in the nation's pantry?

How Arnott’s defines Aussies' love for snacking moments

The luxury market has taken a hit post-pandemic because of slower tourism and the rising cost of living. In France, this means that Parisian stores are recalibrating their strategies to increase accessibility, showing how a shifting landscape can open new and exciting opportunities.




Parisian stores aim to make luxury accessible again

With budgets stretched and wellness front of mind, the mid-strength and no-and-low beer segments are thriving among drinkers Down Under. As people navigate financial headwinds and explore sober experiences, how can brands in the sector keep up with their evolving tastes?

What do Aussie drinkers want from their beer?

As people’s suncare needs have changed,  established and emerging brands have evolved to keep up. While there are more sun protection offerings than ever before, gaps in the market remain: how can brands fill them and what does achieving and maintaining success in the suncare space look like today?

How suncare is glowing up

As the luxury sector takes a hit, the UK branch of Bulgari announced losses in 2023 due to economic instability and reduced tourism. With financial concerns worsening, trends like #underconsumptioncore and 'affordable luxury' rise, offering leverage for smaller, cheaper, and stylish alternatives.




Smaller brands may emerge as Bulgari UK struggles

The 2024/25 Generational Snapshot of Gen Z looks at this cohort’s yearning for nostalgia and tangible experiences, the shifting nature of wellness towards being a 24/7 pursuit, young people’s evolving demands from the working world, and attitudes towards politics in a polarised landscape.

2024/25 Generational Snapshot of Gen Z

Indian Gen Zers are preparing for an uncertain economic future by changing the way they manage their money. They prioritise value, are more entrepreneurial, and have more open discussions about finances. They want to enjoy life now while securing their future, making careful spending decisions that reflect both prudence and aspiration.

How is India’s Gen Z changing the way they earn and spend money?

Urban Outfitters is launching a college-inspired pop-up at 20 major US colleges. With back-to-school season often causing anxiety for many, brands can help ease the stress by creating personalized and immersive experiences that resonate with students' values, beliefs, and identities.

Urban Outfitters lures Gen Z with back-to-school pop-ups

Gen Yers and Zers in India are building financial independence by establishing various (mostly passive) income streams like investments, content creation, and freelancing. This is their solution to economic uncertainty, but how can brands help them in their quest to gain control over their finances?

How varied income streams give Indians economic certainty

German food-tech startup Freda is gaining momentum, offering premium frozen meals that address people’s desires for convenience and low costs without compromising quality. Brands have an opportunity to balance this expansion with the more symbolic aspects of dining - from community to indulgence.

Freda gains momentum in Germany with premium frozen foods

Searching for the right car can be a stressful, daunting experience. But for overwhelmed drivers in the United Kingdom, Auto Trader is helping them make sense of the car-buying process through trust, transparency, knowledge sharing and convenience with benefits for both people and dealerships.

How Auto Trader helps British drivers buy smarter

South Korean digital payments platform Naver Pay has launched a feature that allows users to raise a digital pet and earn points while doing so. As more Koreans embrace gamified e-commerce, brands are exploring more innovative mechanisms to keep people emotionally engaged.

Naver Pay levels up gamification with virtual pets

As Americans are increasingly traveling longer distances to get to work, transport choices are becoming integral to their lifestyles. Canvas8 spoke to eight people across the US about their habits, challenges and priorities when considering EVs, carpooling, and public transit.

What do Americans want from their transport choices?

While Britons often turn to buses and trains as eco-options, they’re increasingly unhappy about rising costs and unreliable services – especially outside major cities. Canvas8 spoke to seven people across the UK to find out what's dictating their mobility choices.

What do Britons want from their transport choices?

As the economy strengthens and Americans' financial sentiments improve, the 'vibecession' – where people feel pessimistic about money matters – is slowly lifting. But does this increased confidence stem from financial strategies and lifestyle hacks that are frowned upon by wider society?

American money dysmorphia is slowly dissipating  

What do people want from their car purchasing journeys? What are the key initiatives driving inclusion in the sector? How are people hacking transport systems for their immediate needs? Why is the desire for self-expression finding its way into mobility and transport choices?

Getting Around Sector Snapshot: September 2024

As trends come and go at lightning speed, Shein stays ahead by producing ultra-fast, trend-driven products that capture the essence of real-time retail. It has also started offering products in its physical store in Japan, where people look for trendy and affordable items with seamless shopping.

Why Shein blends online convenience and offline retail for Japanese shoppers

Malaysian car brands are launching their own EVs to compete with BYD and Tesla. While local appetites for EVs are growing, promising affordability isn't enough – ensuring that both product and infrastructure are in a good place is also essential when convincing people to switch.

Malaysia bets on local brands to win over EV-curious

What if you could unlock your hotel room, get into a concert, collect loyalty points, and prove your ID just by tapping your phone? It could all soon be possible for the UK’s critical spenders thanks to an announcement in August that Apple is opening up its tap-to-pay tech to third-party developers.

How Apple’s Tap-to-Pay builds loyalty for Britons

Fast food giant Pizza Hut is opening stores that offer smaller, cheaper versions of its favourites to attract cost-conscious diners in China. With people cutting back on dining out amid financial uncertainty, fast-food chains are proving to be more affordable and convenient options.

New Pizza Hut concept stores in China help diners save 

Audio manufacturers Bang & Olufsen have released a line of future-proof headphones with modular components designed for easy repair and replacement. As eco-concerns converge with more critical spending habits, perspectives on sustainability are shifting to centre durability and slower consumption

Bang & Olufsen centre durability with modular headphones

Amidst the cost of living crisis, the luxury sector is increasingly collaborating with mass-market brands to reach new audiences. Canvas8 speaks to three academics about their research into ‘masstige’ co-branding and other brand expansion strategies.

You’re partnering with who!? The science of masstige co-branding

As ongoing financial pressures put a squeeze on British nightlife, traditional pubs are growing in popularity among Gen Z. With young people on the hunt for community connection, so-called ‘old man pubs’ are satisfying a demand for more authentic and cost-conscious social experiences.

British Gen Zers are reviving the old man pub

Industry data shows that amid an economic slowdown, Chinese shoppers are increasingly prioritising simplicity and affordability when it comes to mooncake buying. As luxury purchases move away from the conspicuous, people are driving new codes of premiumisation in gifting culture.

Chinese appetites for mooncakes are getting muted

The retailer will be bringing over 1,000 stock-keeping units (SKUs) across 20 premium brands to its e-commerce platform. Appetite for high-end beauty shows no signs of slowing, and brands that are banking on accessibility will need to rethink their premium positioning to maintain allure.

Walmart Marketplace hones in on premium beauty

Down under, Australia is feeling the pinch of the cost of living crisis. While tightening their belts, they’re also manifesting their aspirations online through Pinterest – surpassing half a billion users in 2024. What does this exhibit about what Aussies are looking for in online platforms?

How Pinterest inspires Aussies through lifestyle curation

Fashion rental platform Rent The Runway is at the forefront of this sector’s revival, thanks to an influx of Gen Y and Z intrigue, smart use of AI, and a wildly successful thread of IRL events. So, what can brands learn from this thriving subsector of sustainable fashion?

How Rent The Runway renews fashionistas' eco values

Bookshop.org has launched a buy-back scheme, offering readers website credit in exchange for used books. As conscious shoppers look to balance ethical consumption with time constraints and financial strain, the move helps bridge the value-action gap by making sustainability a more convenient option.

Bookshop.org is incentivising ethical consumption 

With a growing awareness of the need to create products for all skin tones and types, and as people increasingly look to take care of the skin beyond their face, NIVEA has created a bodycare range formulated for the specific requirements of people with higher levels of melanin in their skin.

How NIVEA is addressing the needs of Black skin

More than half of US parents report needing financial assistance to buy the technology their kids need for their education, a worrying statistic as the back-to-school season kicks off. As tech becomes more essential in schools, parents seek reliable and affordable products for their kids.

US parents face financial barriers in buying tech for kids

Prepackaged cups of ice have been flying off the shelves of Chinese convenience stores this summer. As people continue to look for affordable indulgences, cost-conscious young shoppers are experimenting with drink combos to make cheaper cold beverages that don't involve a trip to a cafe.

Chinese audiences turn to ice-cups for affordable drinks

With the cost of living crisis worsening, Aussies are cutting back on discretionary spending and reviewing their streaming habits. As they seek value for money and reduce the number of services they subscribe to, how are they reevaluating which ones are worth keeping and which they don't need?

Are Aussies still streaming entertainment? 

Balmain is making its mark in the prestige beauty space with its first perfume collection. As fragrances become the new expression of the lipstick effect, the brand is changing up the luxury beauty launch by side-stepping cosmetics and diving headlong into the world of perfume first.

Balmain’s beauty debut capitalises on fragrance boom

M&S’s back-to-school campaign, ‘School Happens,’ captures the everyday chaos of school life. By focusing on the durability of its uniforms, M&S taps into parents’ focus on quality and value, offering a relatable take on what kids – and their clothing – really go through during the school year.

M&S shows durability and value in back to school spot

High-end restaurants across the UK are increasingly moving away from tasting menus in favour of more flexible, budget-friendly options to accommodate changing preferences and economic pressures. People are seeking out dining experiences that offer value for money and quality amid cost concerns.

High-end restaurants shift to accessible dining menus

Inspired by the success of brands, Lidl launched a limited edition set of GBP 20 ($26.4) mystery boxes for shoppers in the UK. Each box contained items usually found in the retailer’s notoriously eclectic middle aisle worth over GBP 100 ($132.2), meeting desires for thrifty indulgence.

Lidl’s middle aisle mystery boxes promote cheap splurges

Chinese beauty shoppers are becoming increasingly price-sensitive, and higher-end retailers like Sephora are feeling the heat. After incurring losses, the brand announced job cuts to its workforce in China, reflecting an economic and purchasing downturn.

Sephora China job cuts reflect spending slowdown

As the older half of Gen Xers approach retirement age, many are without adequate pension funds to leave the workforce. As this group navigates a myriad of financial pressures, there’s an opportunity for brands to better support the needs of an often overlooked generation.

Retirement is becoming a distant dream for US Gen Xers

The hype around new phone releases used to drive people to seek updates every couple of years. But amid rising costs, slow innovation, and environmental concerns, people are keeping their phones for longer. There’s an opportunity for brands who can recognise audience desires for durability.

Upgrade culture slows as Britons keep phones for longer

The EU has announced plans to reduce tariffs on Tesla EVs made in China while maintaining higher tariffs on other Chinese EVs. According to ING, this risks slowing the push to net zero, pointing to the complex relationship between people’s financial concerns, desire for convenience and ethics.

Fluctuating EV cost in Europe reveals dwindling interest

Political polarization, social shifts, and economic pressures are reshaping how Americans celebrate major holidays and personal occasions. Canvas8 spoke to eight people across the country to find out more about how they approach gatherings, hostings and traditions in the shifting world.

How are Americans celebrating special occasions?

As people in the UK continue to grapple with the cost of living crisis, it's having an impact on celebration spending for Christmas, Eid, Diwali and other occasions. Canvas8 spoke to eight people across the country to find out their takes on gift-giving, festive meals and shared entertainment.

How are Britons celebrating special occasions?

With the US government passing legislation in 2024 that would force the China-based owners of TikTok to sell the app, there’s a strong possibility that the entertainment-come-shopping platform could be banned. How might this risk the health of small businesses and drastically alter trend cycles?

How would a US TikTok ban impact social shopping habits?

Teens are turning to summer jobs again in increasing numbers, reversing a decades-long decline. The cost of living crisis is pushing Gen Z to look for short-term work during the season. As teens look to get an early start on their careers, employers have an opportunity to attract young talent.

Cost of living crisis spikes Gen Z summer job growth

Why are city stores becoming third spaces, culture hubs, and peaceful sanctuaries? What drives how people spend on holidays, milestones, and cultural moments? Why are people seeking lasting emotional comfort from their purchases? Will cost-effective shopping change luxury for good?

Shopping Sector Snapshot: August 2024

NIU, a Chinese luxe e-scooter brand, is speeding ahead of the market with its award-winning designs. With e-scooters becoming popular to both the eco- and cost-conscious, NIU proves that safety and the ability to customise are key in courting new scooter fans – especially Gen Z.

How NIU scooters drive personalised eco-travel in China

Olympic diver Tom Daley is the face of Malibu's water safety campaign, addressing research that shows many Brits drink before swimming. The initiative combines video messages and custom products to promote responsible behaviour around water, highlighting the dangers of mixing alcohol and swimming.

Tom Daley and Malibu target water safety with summer ad

South Koreans’ notion of the ‘home’ is changing with the times. As the nation’s decreasing birth rate is challenged by the rising demand for single-household apartments, people are evolving their interior design choices to meet their needs within city high-rise complexes.

How are South Koreans designing their homes?

As Americans struggle to make ends meet, credit card balances are skyrocketing, with young spenders falling into delinquency at higher rates. While an inflationary economy has eased, many young Americans are still struggling to keep afloat and risking their economic future to do so.

Young Americans fall behind on credit card payments

In 2024, Australians will navigate the balance between their deeply held values and economic realities. While their decisions mirror their desire for societal change, the cost of living crisis has shifted priorities. How do these dual realities shape people’s lives and decisions amid trying times?

A Cultural Snapshot of Australia: 2024

The price and rigidity of healthcare payments present a major barrier to Americans getting the support they need. Acknowledging the challenges around payment plans, PayZen enables people to pay their healthcare costs in installments either before or after they receive the treatment.

PayZen adds flexibility to American healthcare bills

’Tis the season to gift, browse, and shop. Aussies haven’t lost any appetite for the Christmas season as a majority of the country continues to celebrate despite rising costs of living, spending most of their time and money with family. How can brands tap into the country’s holiday spirit?

How are Aussies shopping for Christmas?

Due to community feedback, The Ordinary is expanding into a new body care product category. The new line features affordable, ingredient-focused products. Building on its trusted reputation of straightforward education and accessibility, the brand has also found success on TikTok.

The Ordinary expands reach with body care on TikTok Shop

Japan’s fast-food industry is a fascinating landscape where historical roots and modern innovations merge. From the early days of speedy dining to the fusion of flavours and the focus on healthy food, it highlights exciting opportunities for creative culinary innovation and global expansion.

What are Japanese people craving for in their fast food?

Prada Group has reported double-digit revenue growth in the first half of 2024. Thanks to an incisive and culturally relevant brand-building playbook – particularly in the APAC region – it is countering challenges faced by competitors amid a global decline in the sector.

Prada hits the right note with APAC's luxury shoppers

As sun protection trends on social media across Australia, Gen Z is becoming increasingly interested in sun protection and anti-ageing products. Ultra Violette appeals to Gen Z Aussies with its SPF-enhanced cosmetics, high-quality sunscreen, and awareness of social media skincare trends.

Why Ultra Violette protects Aussie skin through cosmetics

Japan’s healthcare system is undergoing a digital overhaul. Meanwhile, healthcare apps and personalised wellness tools empower citizens to take charge of their health. However, Japanese hospitals are still expensive, leaving room for brands to step in and make healthcare more accessible to all.

Health-conscious Japanese people turn to digital therapeutics

Credit Karma reports that US Gen Zers continue to be influenced by social media when it comes to overconsumption, but they’re also resisting the allure of influencer-driven purchases. As brands navigate these tensions, there’s an opportunity to invest in non-paid UGC to drive long-lasting loyalty.

Young Americans fight back against overconsumption

Porsche has handed the creative reigns to Dua Lipa to create and launch the campaign for the EV Porsche Macan. With Gen Z fond of subversive humour, the over-the-top imaginings of Dua Lipa combine tongue-in-cheek creativity with aspiration and hit on the shifting view of luxury among Gen Z. 

Porsche x Dua Lipa ad reflects Gen Z love of weird

Due to changes in price and fashion trends, younger generations in India are changing how they look at gold jewellery. They prefer minimal, stylish, low-carat designs over traditional heavy pieces meant for investment. What can brands learn from this shift, and where is this change headed?

Why do Indian Gen Y and Z want minimalist gold jewellery?

With the cost of childcare stretching holiday budgets, many British parents are having to rethink traditional summer fun and find alternative ways of getting a break. With financial challenges for parents ongoing, brands have an opportunity to rewrite traditional rituals with cost front of mind.

UK parents rethink summer fun amid high living costs

Primark is freezing prices for select back-to-school basics at 2021 levels to help parents with the financial challenges they face at the start of term. With people looking for tangible support during the cost of living crisis, price freezes are a smart strategy for brands to show they care.

Primark is freezing back-to-school prices at 2021 levels

WalletHub's study on financial distress in the US has found that Michigan is the most financially insecure state, followed closely by Texas. As financial worries deepen, people are looking to brands for guidance and practical solutions that can improve their economic stability.

Michigan tops list of financially insecure US states

Offering a compelling combination of space, technology, and fuel efficiency, the Ford Puma is thriving among cost-conscious Britons. With many people purchasing based on practicality and affordability, the SUV’s dominance highlights the importance of understanding the needs of the everyday driver.

How utility drives the success of the Ford Puma in Britain

Indianapolis Public Schools will support US parents with Back to School Nights, a space to meet teachers and pick up school supplies. The move recognizes how urgent it is to support caregivers from underserved communities, alleviate financial burdens, and ease overstretched wallets.

IPS Back to School Nights support stretched parents 

Thrifting is becoming more popular in Japan, driven by the rising cost of goods, weakening yen, and shifting attitudes towards sustainability. With the fashion industry among the top polluters worldwide, brands face new challenges to meet the needs of fashionable but price- and eco-conscious youths.

Behind the sustained rise of thrifting in Japan

Champagne sales have declined significantly, with LVMH reporting a 15% drop and industry-wide shipments down 15.2%. Analysts suggest various factors may be influencing purchasing patterns, including economic uncertainties and evolving celebration habits amid global anxieties.

Champagne sales drop amid global uncertainties

Why are Chinese people becoming reluctant to get married and be parents? This report delves into the social, economic, and cultural reasons behind their decision and how this affects the country’s landscape and brands looking to tap into the second-largest economy in the world.

Why raising a child is no longer a must in China

Fast fashion giant SHEIN will open its first pop-up in Johannesburg, offering audiences serendipitous encounters with fellow brand fans. Even as digital-first brands nurture digital communities, the power of IRL activations offers a chance for deeper engagement and brand discovery.

SHEIN hosts curated exhibition pop-up to court fans IRL

Asahi has created a Japanese-style claw machine game that can be controlled remotely via smartphone, offering Australian drinkers a fun and unique 'phygital' experience. As drinking preferences and habits shift away from beer, the immersion factor is more important than ever for brands in the space.

Asahi entices Aussie beer drinkers with retro gaming

Venmo, the American mobile payment service, has achieved cultural clout and a dedicated following among US Gen Y and Zers thanks to its novel approach in making it fun to send money between friends. What does its rise in popularity say about how people's money management skills are shifting?

How Venmo became the go-to payment provider for US youth

As much as Aussies want to cut back on fast fashion purchases, living costs make the issue unavoidable. This pattern is why circular fashion brand Citizen Wolf is using AI to cut back on the price of lasting, personalised clothes, as it lends a hand to solving Australia’s textile waste problem.

How Citizen Wolf tailors eco-fashion for Aussie budgets

Jaguar is planning to end its production of petrol and diesel vehicles and move to an all-electric line-up. It will replace its old models with new ones with improved technology and design, providing high-quality, sustainable transport options that seek to ease concerns around EVs' performance.

Jaguar prepares for a new all-electric era

Pret a Manger has announced the end of its coffee subscription programme. The service offered its subscribers nearly unlimited coffee for a monthly fee. As people look to cut costs, they’re looking to give their loyalty to brands that help them save money on daily splurges.

Pret a Manger shutters popular subscription service

Faced with persistently high costs at supermarkets, a lack of space to entertain, and ever-changing dietary needs, many Gen Yers are looking for alternatives to the traditional Christmas dinner. How can retailers and food brands better cater to their festive meal requirements?

What do Gen Yers want from their Christmas dinners?

Coffee culture in Australia was largely modelled after European cafes, but it has since developed its own style. However, new waves of Asian migrants, a growing cost of living crisis, and digital workers using cafes as offices are changing what it means to ‘grab a coffee’ in 2024.

Amid a financial crisis, how are Aussies getting their coffee fix?

As part of its 70th birthday promotions, Burger King has launched the 'Balloon Burst' game, which gives members of its loyalty program a chance to enter sweepstakes and earn points. As loyalty programs become the norm, creative routes that leverage deeper participation are becoming more important.

Burger King launches rewards game for 70th birthday

The US economy may be performing well, but at a more domestic level, many families continue to feel financial strain. With the pressure of back-to-school purchasing heating up, Dollar General has rolled out generous discounts on a range of its products designed for both pupils and teachers.

Dollar General relieves back-to-school shopping anxiety

Lululemon is being taken to court as part of a class action lawsuit that claims the brand is greenwashing. This case highlights not only the expectation for brands to contribute positively to the climate crisis but also for these efforts to be transparent and authentic.

Lululemon taken to court in greenwashing case

In a crowded market, CeraVe has sought to break through the beauty landscape by using humour to promote its products. As Gen Zers engage with entertaining and subversive ads, CeraVe's latest move to launch a soap opera aims to connect with younger audiences while educating them on skincare.

CeraVe uses soap opera clichés to connect with Gen Z

Ongoing inflationary pressures are set to dampen back-to-school spending in the US as parents take a restrained approach to consumption ahead of the new school year. Families are prioritizing value, and they look to brands that can help ease the pressure of back-to-school spending.

Financial strain squeezes US back-to-school spending

Indian families are dipping into their savings and taking loans to maintain their lifestyle while the youth are finding it tough to get jobs. What do these economic changes mean for the festival where spending traditionally peaks, and how will they reshape the experience of Diwali celebrations?

Economic challenges are changing India’s Diwali festival

Indian fintech startup Jupiter is refashioning banking in India at breakneck speed. With its live expense tracking, easy investment channels and smart saving tools, Jupiter takes on the role of a financial partner to Indian Gen Y and Z. But how did it make its name in the sacred space of banking?

How Jupiter simplifies money management for Gen Y Indians

Lifecycle

People are operating with a heightened perception of value