As the new post-pandemic normal settles in and people adapt to a context of uncertainty, constant adversities, and pessimism, we are moving away from a moment in which consumers expected brands to rise up to society's challenges and into one when they’re demanding genuine allyship from businesses.

Marks & Spencer has been named the ‘most improved’ retailer by BNP Paribas due to increased satisfaction with the quality and price of its products. Economic uncertainty has made many people prioritise quality at an affordable price when weighing up which goods and brands to buy.

Gen Zers are often described as the eco-conscious generation, but despite growing pushback against fast fashion brands, ecommerce giant, Asos, has remained resilient over the last year, bringing affordable fashion to a large proportion of young consumers.

Fast fashion has gained somewhat of a negative reputation due to the industry's damaging environmental impact, but research suggests that it's not on its way out. Amid an economic downturn and rising inflation, people are finding it hard to turn away from brands offering cheap and stylish clothing.

What’s defining life in France in 2023? From exploring the drivers behind the growing enthusiasm for plant-based food to looking at how solidarity with pension protesters is shaping the political mood, our Cultural Snapshot lays out the behaviours you need to understand this year.