 in New York are growing popular among those living alone - a proportion that’s 

 to 27% in 2013 - when it come to family life there are obvious downsides. Smaller living spaces aren’t designed with children in mind, and since 

 are occupied by families, there’s been a 33% increase in noise complaints in 2017. While in Tokyo, finding a house on a budget it even harder - the average one bed costs $2,050 per month. Uniting over the frustration of unaffordable living, people are tweeting about bizarre subpar flats going for exorbitant prices in the City, with posts including the hashtag ‘

, people are coping with shrinking square-footage by adapting their lives to retain the ‘comfort’ they’re looking for in a home. In Japan people are 

 is offering an on-demand, pick-up and drop-off delivery solution for people whose flats can’t hold all their possessions - and it’s attracted more than 10,000 clients across the US. While, 

 co-living model is making the most of its limited space with multi-purpose rooms that double up as a bar or event space, as well as a mailroom or laundry room.

From being saddled with student debt, to sky-high housing prices, the dream of owning a home has never seemed more distant to most Gen Yers. Claiming to be “the missing step,” Unmortgage is helping people put down roots with a scheme that partially finances their homes.

Unmortgage: financing first-time buyers

How do people make design decisions? Where do they get inspiration for interiors? And how do they decorate their homes to feel like places of escape? In this chapter of the 2018 Expert Outlook series, we speak to three experts about the ways in which we’ll mould our households next year.

2018 Expert Outlook on Home

Brazilian cosmetics brand O Boticário’s Christmas ad encourages open conversations among families about care costs and responsibilities. As more generations opt to live together due to the cost of living crisis, brands can go beyond empathetic messaging to offer tangible support for carers.

O Boticário’s ad unites families burdened by care costs 

The realities of the loneliness epidemic have grown impossible to ignore, with many pointing to digital-first lifestyles as a driving force of social isolation. But could digital connectivity be leveraged for good to help repair human connection? Canvas8 spoke to Brandon C. Bouchillon to find out.

A cure for loneliness?! The science of digital friendships

Kleenex and Amazon have joined forces to launch a playful campaign supporting newly single individuals and the century-old heritage brand’s quest to maintain its relevance. The move is reflective of the need for brands to pivot towards empathy-driven branding to maximise their appeal.

Kleenex and Amazon transform tears into strength 

2024 represented a crucial and deeply divisive year in American politics. As family members across political camps come together over the festive period, a vast majority of adults are seeking to avoid political talks altogether, risking both emotional wellbeing and engagement with difference.

US adults avoiding political discussions over Christmas

InterContinental Hotels Group is enhancing its multigenerational travel offering to boost growth for its luxury portfolio. As high-net-worth travelers prioritize vacations as a collective experience with their loved ones, they’ll expect brands to craft holidays that have something for everyone.

IHG embraces multigenerational holidays in luxury travel

American high schools are seeing ‘healthy masculinity’ clubs crop up as young men search for safe spaces to challenge stereotypes. In the face of growing gender divides, groups like these illustrate how people are taking proactive steps to care for their personal and communal identities.

Masculinity clubs at US schools offer community support

British Gen Z home-buyers prioritise living near pubs, valuing them as hubs for community and emotional connection. The preference signals a broader desire for belonging as younger generations seek homes that integrate social and emotional wellbeing alongside functionality.

UK Gen Z home-buyers prefer properties close to a pub

Timeleft blends dating and friendship, using ambiguous marketing to encourage spontaneous connections. The app addresses rising loneliness, particularly among Japan's Gen Z, by fostering diverse encounters through casual group dinners – reflecting a behavioural shift toward non-romantic connections.

Timeleft app connects strangers over dinner

A recent study links rising income inequality to online dating, where users increasingly select partners within their socioeconomic strata. Financial compatibility has become a key priority for daters, reflecting how love and money are now more intertwined in shaping modern relationship dynamics.

Study finds online dating is deepening income inequality

In Australia, Valentine’s Day has transformed from a celebration of love between couples into an occasion to cherish friendships. How have evolving cultural norms and pervasive loneliness fuelled this shift? And how can brands engage with the new rituals and moments surrounding the day?

How do Aussies celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Society’s definition of masculinity is ever-changing. But as progressive interpretations of manhood spread, some people are moving to protect what they see as an important traditional identity. Canvas8 spoke to Toms Kreicbergs to understand the responses to brands’ depictions of masculinity.

Man up! The science of masculinity in advertising

The number of single women and female couples having fertility treatment in the UK has risen over the past decade. With family structures evolving and becoming more diverse, people are seeking greater access and choice – but barriers remain for those who fall out of 'traditional' norms. 

More single women and female couples are utilising IVF

IKEA has announced an exhibition in London celebrating its iconic blue shopping bag, the FRAKTA, exploring its evolution and personal stories shared by enthusiasts. As people seek new routes to connection, IKEA’s democratic design offers learning opportunities through the cult of everyday items. 

IKEA lures heritage lovers with blue bag exhibit

Korean luxury hospitality group Josun Hotels & Resorts has launched a store to expand its online presence via its distinctive food and lifestyle products. With people searching for accessible indulgences, premium hotel-branded products can bring luxury escapism into homes.

Josun Hotels & Resorts launches online lifestyle store

Disney's 2024 holiday ad, directed by Taika Waititi, showcases the magical friendship between a boy and an octopus. Emphasising emotional resonance, it joins other Christmas spots offering joyful escapism and genuine connection amid difficult times, reflecting a growing desire for heartwarming ads.

Disney's Xmas ad spotlights joyful, escapist fairy tale

Loneliness is sadly common among new parents, especially mothers. As social apps emerge to combat the issue by providing supportive communities and peer-to-peer guidance, how can brands tap into the trend authentically and appeal to a new digital-native generation of mums?

How social apps help mums find friendship and community

Amid a birth rate crisis driven by economic strain, China has launched a 'marriage school' in Changsha promoting parenting. However, it's faced backlash for pushing outdated gender roles, which, together with high parenting costs, are leading many women to shun marriage and pursue child-free lives.

Backlash to Chinese marriage expo sparks gender debate

CareYaya aims to connect those searching for caregivers with students in healthcare to create a mutual system of affordable care and learning experiences. The platform facilitates people demand for tech-based networks of support as they look to balance high costs of living.

CareYaya matches students to elders seeking care

Camden County's NOS program uses peer support to aid prison leavers, reducing recidivism and supporting successful reintegration. Recognizing the limitations of top-down strategies, it prioritizes the experiences of formerly incarcerated individuals – something often lacking in traditional programs.

Peer-led program supports prisoners rejoining society

With rents skyrocketing in major cities worldwide, committing to shared accommodation can feel like a decision not to be approached lightly. Tapping into this, SpareRoom is launching a 'Speed Flatmating' experience in London to help people meet and befriend potential flatmates over a pint.

SpareRoom helps Londoners find the right flatmate

China's 'home bars' are thriving, with these intimate gatherings in private homes offering a cozy alternative to traditional nightlife. As people seek casual socialising and meaningful connections, such personalised experiences can foster community and counter high loneliness rates.

Home bars provide a sense of community in China

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is surging in popularity among young men in the US. Amid desires for an idealized version of manhood – characterized by high energy, strong libido, and a muscular physique – young men are hoping hormone therapy will be the key to unlocking their potential.

Young men are optimizing their bodies with testosterone

Americans will soon have a not-so-new pantry staple in the form of Chilean Sea Bass – Goldfish’s temporary rebranding of the 62-year-old cracker’s name. Nostalgia and kidulting ideals continue to be a driving force for people looking to hark back to their simpler childhood days.

Goldfish crackers temporarily renamed to attract adults

AI role-playing app Character.AI is facing a lawsuit after a teen user’s suicide. While chatbots could offer a solution to loneliness, they pose serious dangers in replacing human relationships, necessitating robust safeguards from tech companies to protect vulnerable users.

Character.AI lawsuit highlights risks of AI chatbots

How has Fintech changed the way Germans approach money management? How is the rise of spirituality and diverse belief systems changing the religious landscape? And why is marriage on the decline? This Cultural Snapshot of Germany in 2024 explores the key behavioural shifts.

A Cultural Snapshot of Germany: 2024 - 2025

'Living alone vlogs' on Xiaohongshu celebrate singlehood as a fulfilling lifestyle that emphasises economic independence and self-care. As Chinese citizens' priorities shift, more young adults are choosing to remain unmarried, reflecting women's societal roles beyond traditional expectations.

Women celebrate the joys of solo living on Xiaohongshu

Asda has partnered with Colgate to provide free dental kits to schools in some of the most deprived areas of the UK, providing support to kids who face barriers to accessing dental care. It's an example of how brands are taking greater action to tackle health inequities in underserved communities. 

Asda and Colgate promote dental health in schools

Despite media narratives suggesting widespread dating app fatigue, these platforms remain popular and are unlikely to be abandoned by users. Canvas8 spoke to Dr. Rachel Katz about innovative ways brands in this space can engage users through unexpected experiences and tailored solutions.

Dr. Rachel Katz on the future of dating apps

The surging property prices coupled with the meagre supply of rental units has left many people without a stable roof over their heads. An Australian  report suggests that this could be tackled by making use of millions of houses and rooms that currently sit empty across the country.



Empty rooms may solve Aussie’s housing crisis

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?

Single-child households and "Very Important Babies" are on the rise in South Korea. Their parents are keen for their offspring to keep up appearances at school and out and about, with must-have luxury items fast becoming signifiers of not just individual prosperity but successful parenting.

Child luxury: a new status for parenting in South Korea

Japanese employees have met a push to introduce a four-day workweek with scepticism due to the high social pressure Japanese feel toward work. However, attitudes might be changing with younger generations, and there’s an opportunity for brands to tap into this shift.

Japanese employees are sceptical of four-day workweek

Chinese people are hiring emotional support companions for hikes, highlighting a larger cultural trend of addressing loneliness through paid companionship. As the loneliness epidemic continues to impact daily life, people are seeking revitalised and supportive ways to socialise.

Chinese hikers are paying climbing buddies for support

REPLAY merges waste material, creativity, and play to promote sustainability by engaging participants in the creative process of construction and reuse. The initiative explores the relationship between people and space and demonstrates how materials can be innovatively recycled and up-cycled.

REPLAY taps sustainability with creative initiative 

A new study reveals a persistent gender pay gap in the UK's architecture sector. As people demand greater equality and inclusivity in the workplace, businesses and brands can address the root causes of this disparity by collaborating with supportive collectives and groups to change systems from within.

Gender pay gap in UK remains high among architects

Lab 54, a UK group, brings pro-level parties to homes for free. They provide sound, lighting, and DJs, transforming homes into vibrant venues. This reflects a shift in nightlife culture as young people seek affordable, intimate alternatives to clubs amid economic pressures and venue closures.

Lab54 house parties revitalise London's dance scene

Research conducted by nutrition and health app Lifesum reveals a staggering gap in menstrual health support in the workplace. People are increasingly prioritising holistic wellbeing and workplace equality, and the demand for comprehensive menstrual health support is growing.

Lifesum reveals gaps in workplace menstrual support 

The novelty of online dating appears to have peaked, with disillusioned singles turning to alternatives like run clubs, speed dating, and game nights. In Australia, young singles are prioritising mental health and personal values, signs of a broader shift in how they are approaching settling down.

Swiped-out Aussies seek alternatives to online dating

Lemay's sustainable chalet prototype showcases eco-friendly design, using reusable materials and harmonising with its surroundings. As demand for green living grows, the project highlights how architecture can meet environmental challenges and offer a blueprint for future sustainable housing.

Canadian chalet design taps eco-friendly living 

Perrier-Jouët has planted a biodiverse installation in its Champagne vineyard to elevate flora and fauna. Amid eco-claim fatigue, the project underscores the importance of scientific observation in regenerative agriculture and highlights how design can facilitate meaningful ecological conversations.

Perrier-Jouët enhances local biodiversity with art

The Mid-Autumn Festival has sparked a surge in local tourism, shopping, and dining in China. The holiday provides an opportunity to spend time with family, travel, and participate in rich traditions as people look to celebrate their heritage against a backdrop of rising national and cultural pride.

Mid-Autumn Festival sparks spending around celebrations

Audible has partnered with sex therapist Chantelle Otten to create an immersive dining experience that encourages conversations around sexual wellness. As food-based aesthetics continue to dictate marketing cool, there’s an opportunity to unlock meaningful indulgence for experience-hungry Aussies.

Audible podcast brings sex therapy to the dining table

While Gen Alpha has witnessed their parents interact and address global issues, they instead are looking to prioritise local and personal matters. Therefore, younger kids are looking to brands to support the challenges facing their communities instead of broader global problems.

Gen Alpha are prioritising local concerns over global

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

For the first time, sales of pet carriers have surpassed those of baby strollers in South Korea, highlighting the country's low fertility rate and evolving perspectives on gender roles, parenting, and family priorities, as more Koreans choose to invest in pets over children.

Pet strollers outsell baby strollers in South Korea

Meet Grok, the face of AI-powered toy company Curio. The rocket-shaped plushie, voiced by musician Grimes, is designed to have “endless conversations” with kids. But what does the toy tell us about celebrities as creators, American parental burnout, and the perceptions of AI in 2024?

How Curio tells us about AI, parenting, and celebrity marketing

Dating app Drybaby is creating a hub for sober curious singletons to connect offline. The hub taps into the shift among young Americans towards more mindful focused forms of leisure. And as dating app fatigue grows, it also shows the opportunity for brands to support a slower approach to dating.

Drybaby dating app caters to sober curious singletons

Fruittella Brazil launched a sun-activated storybook, Lá Fora É Mais Legal, encouraging kids to play outside by revealing stories only in sunlight. This initiative highlights the importance of outdoor play in reducing the effects of excessive screen time often faced by digital native Gen Alphas.

Fruittella's sun-activating book promotes outdoor play

IKEA is using AI-enabled tech to bridge the gaps between physical and digital shopping, creating a future-oriented retail experience for American customers seeking savings, personalized shopping, and immersive experiences. What does this mean for the shopping landscape in the US moving forward?

Why IKEA uses GenAI and AR to attract American shoppers

In Chengdu, all-women electrician classes are oversubscribed as Chinese women seek to enter the male-dominated electrical trade and learn practical skills for independent living. Women are redefining their role in the workforce, reflecting desires to dissolve outdated gender stereotypes.

38 Fix helps Chinese women break into electrical trade

Target is doubling down on pet lovers, unveiling their limited-edition pet collection, the Cuddle Collab. The brand recognizes the emotional significance and joy pets bring, aligning with people’s expectations for empathy and understanding from brands in their relationships with their furry friends.

Target releases limited-edition pet collection

With social media an integral part of digital natives’ growth and development, the social news and networking platform Reddit stands out for its diverse communities and engaging discussions. The platform provides a space for US teens who are too afraid to talk about sensitive topics with parents.

How Reddit became a trusted adviser to American families

With over 300 million users on Xiaohongshu, the image-sharing platform has become a safe space for Chinese women, giving rise to communities and even unconventional connections – from dating to friendships and job connections. What’s driving these unique ways of building relationships online?

How Xiaohongshu captures new forms of Chinese connections

As singletons fight dating app fatigue, Bored of Dating Apps helps people meet potential partners by hosting offline events that prioritise connection. The platform brings together like-minded individuals through activity-led experiences that urge slow, nostalgic romance over clinical swiping.

How Bored of Dating Apps helps singles find love offline

Do EdTech platforms encourage helicopter parenting? Is conservatism the answer to declining birth rates? How can apps bridge the gap between loneliness and social anxiety? In this part of Expert Outlook 2025, we speak to three experts about how people are mining the past for relationship reconnection.

2025 Expert Outlook on Home and Relationships

Zillow's upgraded AI-powered search lets people describe their ideal home in conversational text, providing tailored recommendations based on millions of listings. Expectations of search and discovery are increasing as AI becomes increasingly used to enhance personalization.

Zillow enhances home search with AI personalization

Tapping into sustainable shoppers in Barcelona, Aesop has launched a new store built on recycled local materials. The brand aims to spotlight its commitment to circularity and sustainability while inspiring others to explore the creative reuse of materials within a unique retail and design experience.

Aesop's anastylosis-centred design targets eco shoppers

The charitable organization has commenced its annual Game to Change the World campaign aimed at Gen Alpha fundraisers. Gaming has become a pivotal tool in Gen Alpha’s sense-making practices, and young audiences will be expecting more than just immersion when it comes to virtual activations.

Comic Relief US nurtures Gen Alpha changemakers

Rising costs, declining work-life balance, and widespread screen addiction are keeping more Americans awake at night. To understand how people are improving and optimizing their sleep, Canvas8 spoke to seven Americans about the steps they’re taking to doze off despite tensions.

How are Americans sleeping amid the permacrisis?

Spanish Gen Zers are swapping dating apps for pineapples in supermarkets, underscoring a broader movement towards more authentic, experience-driven socialising among the youth. Brands can facilitate real-world interactions by creating innovative spaces and experiences for organic connections.

Spanish Gen Zers add a tropical twist to their dating lives

IKEA has launched a peer-to-peer marketplace in Madrid to help customers sell their unwanted furniture directly to others. As the shift towards circularity gains momentum, brands that adopt eco-driven business models can extend their lifespan and deepen consumer trust and long-lasting loyalty.

IKEA trials peer-to-peer marketplace in circularity push

Chinese youth are showing renewed interest in traditional culture and spirituality in an attempt to regain a sense of stability. As discussions around death become gradually more open, funeral handcrafts are providing a meaningful way for Gen Zers in China to connect with heritage.

Chinese Gen Z rediscover traditional funeral art

Feeld, a dating app catering to the vastness of human experience and relationships, sponsored an off-Broadway play called Pretty Perfect Lives. As many grow tired of being bombarded with advertising content, sponsoring cultural production is a more organic, grassroots way of reaching audiences.

Feeld soothes ad fatigue with off-Broadway sponsorship

Multi-generational dance parties are growing in number on the streets of New York, offering a much-needed source of release for locals, young and old. As people navigate the myriad stressors of modern life, they’re yearning for small moments of collective joy to cut through the gloom.

New Yorkers find release in inclusive dance parties

A combination of responsibilities for their children and aging parents and economic challenges mean Gen Xers are feeling financially unprepared for retirement. Many are considering moving in with their kids to make ends meet and may need help broaching these conversations.

Gen X ‘Silver Squatters’ feel unprepared for retirement

Home and Relationships

With economic pressure at an all-time high, young Aussies are turning to credit and BNPL to cover costs despite their apprehensions. Banks are earning their trust through financial literacy and exclusive offers that reward conscious spending over indiscriminate spending. 

Aussie Gen Zs are wary of credit cards. Here's how banks are earning their trust.  

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

After successfully acquiring younger cohorts in the US, American Express has set its sights on Gen Zers in Europe, wooing them with lifestyle perks and insider access. Leveraging desires for exclusive access and super fandom behaviours, Amex aims to transform casual users into lifelong cardholders.

Amex courts EU Gen Zers with exclusive experiences

Axis Bank has joined hands with Visa to launch Primus, a premier credit card for India’s ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs). As luxury appetites mature, affluent Indians will expect brands to offer insider, bespoke products and services that centre on one-of-a-kind experiences.

Axis Bank unlocks VIP experiences for India’s UHNWIs

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

Expedia, Wells Fargo and Mastercard have unveiled two new co-branded credit cards offering enhanced benefits for U.S. travelers. As people continue to prioritise experiences over material goods, they're seeking more holistic loyalty programs that integrate seamlessly into their lifestyles.

Expedia travel credit card rewards everyday spenders

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

Unsure what the future holds and still making up for years of restrictions, Gen Y and Z are prioritizing the here and now and splurging on non-essentials. As a result, they're turning to credit and their parents' support, signaling both a desire for escape and a need-it-now mentality.

Gens Y and Z turn to parents instead of saving

A study has found that ‘travel now, pay later’ (TNPL) arrangements are garnering traction among young Indians. As growing disposable incomes make travel a more affordable reality for the country’s middle class, brands are dialling up the flexibility around trip planning to entice holidaymakers.

Indian vacationers are keen on ‘travel now, pay later’

Apple has announced plans to drop its buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) option in the US, partnering with banks and lenders to offer flexible payments instead. As many Americans continue to struggle with BNPL debt, brands are looking for ways to keep them safe amid increasing rates of short-term debt.

Apple drops BNPL option from mobile wallets in the US

‘Farmfluencers’ play an important role in shaping the perception of products and agricultural methods in the farming community. Green loans company HeavyFinance is making brand ambassadors out of highly respected, digitally savvy farmers who are helping spread the word about sustainable practices.

How HeavyFinance engages climate-conscious farmers

Gen Zers are turning to American Express as a status symbol, wooed by the card’s benefit programs and reputation as an accessory of wealth. By focusing on experiences, brands are appealing to young consumers who are drawn to cards that function more as high-end coupons than conventional credit.

Young Americans flex Amex cards as status symbol

Research has shown that Gen Z is making less money than Gen Y did ten years ago while also managing a higher debt-to-income ratio. Coming of age in a high-inflation economy, Gen Zers are experiencing heightened financial stress with knock-on impacts on their attitudes to money and spending at large.

Gen Zers earn less than Gen Yers did at the same age

Despite inflation, affluent consumers continue to spend on luxury travel experiences – and even greater numbers are using the American Express Platinum Card to do so. Why has the card maintained its enduring appeal, and how is it adapting to luxury consumers’ changing tastes?

How American Express has maintained its exclusive edge

While BNPL options have become widely available, there's a gap in understanding how consumers view them and why they use them. Canvas8 spoke to Dr. Philippa Ward, Dr. Anita Zhao, and Dr. Ruffin Relja to unveil the world of BNPL customers – their perceptions, usage, and brand recommendations.

I’m saving so much! The science of BNPL perception

BNPL services are being frequented by “financially fragile” users, according to a report from the Federal Reserve. With people drawn by the inability to access other forms of credit, underregulated forms of lending are leading to poor financial decisions, creating a need for guidance and education.

'Financially fragile' users overrely on BNPL services

Ease of use and interoperability have made homegrown instant payment systems the preferred mode of transactions for payments for millions of Indians who are becoming more digitally savvy and evolving commerce locally. Now, the United Payments Interface (UPI) is trying to recreate its success abroad.

How cashless payments are restructuring the Indian economy

New data reveals that consumer debt has risen significantly in Japan as people’s appetite for feel-good spending shows no signs of slowing. There’s an opportunity for brands to help customers buff up their financial wellbeing in the face of continued economic headwinds.

Revenge spending is driving Japanese shoppers into debt

Consumer group Which? has revealed that roughly one in ten UK households skipped paying an essential bill during November 2023. With inflated living costs expected to impact Britons for several years, people are looking to brands for stewardship and support through difficult times.

Britons look to business for stewardship and security

Surveys show that a significant number of Gen Zers are unable to return home for the holidays because of student debt obligations. As the cost of living crisis affects the holidays for the second year in a row, the way young people celebrate and create holiday traditions is changing.

Student debt keeps US Gen Zers from going home for Christmas

Despite financial concerns, consumer spending is expected to remain high this year – with many turning to BNPL services to finance their expenses. There’s an opportunity for brands to encourage responsible spending while acknowledging the desire to indulge over the holiday season.

American consumers turn to BNPL for holiday shopping

Digital challenger app Nine25 has positioned itself in the evolving digital banking landscape to address young Australians’ financial challenges. Through gamification, the company aims to make micro-investing more accessible and engaging for the next generation’s financial independence.

Why Nine25 gamifies micro-investing for young Aussies

A survey has found that younger Gen Zers and Gen Alphas in Korea increasingly use their personal credit or debit cards for everyday purchases. There’s a need to teach smart spending habits and encourage children to take ownership of their money from a younger age so they build financial resilience.

More Korean teens experiment with credit cards

A survey from PYMNTS Intelligence revealed that American consumers plan to utilize installment plans to rein in their holiday spending. There’s an opportunity for brands to encourage cautious splurging while also meeting the demand for more precise and helpful product recommendations.

US shoppers eye installment plans for holiday purchases

Gen Yers and Zers have been turning to BNPL schemes as they continue to spend on little luxuries to cope with economic permacrisis. However, this coping mechanism may have an adverse effect as users struggle to keep up with debt payments via all-too-easy-to-access credit options.

BNPL schemes risk sending users into financial despair

A study has shown troubling patterns in the habits of buy now, pay later (BNPL) users, revealing a 50-point gap on average between those who frequently use the services and those who do not. The cost of living crisis has driven up BNPL debt among Gen Zers looking to brands for financial leadership.

Buy now, pay later users report low long-term satisfaction

Americans are missing car loans and credit card payments more than ever as higher prices and borrowing costs continue to squeeze household budgets. The onus lies on brands to develop innovative solutions to help people manage their debt and navigate financial challenges.

Americans are struggling with credit card debt repayment

The Indian neobank Niyo's latest campaign targets the increasing number of young Indians who are heading overseas for tertiary education. It’s signalling the growing marriage between fintech and education as people seek out stress-free payment solutions for their schooling expenses.

Niyo makes study abroad hassle-free for Indian students

People in Australia are using BNPL services to pay for essentials – such as food and petrol, sparking worries about their reliance on these platforms. With many Aussies also lacking the requisite info on the pitfalls of BNPL services, education is a must as people leverage them for day-to-day use.

Australians turn to BNPL for every day essentials

In a bid to shake up Singapore’s retail banking sector, digital bank Trust is beefing up its services to include insurance, personal loans, and more. While online banks are a promising alternative for tech-savvy consumers, platforms also need to break the hype cycle and ensure long-term viability.

Trust leads digital banking race in Singapore

Credit cards and loans

People are changing the way they live to adapt to apartment life

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