In the turbulent economic environment, money is losing its value. Consumers are reevaluating their spending across sectors. With a looming crisis of trust in financial institutions, how are people managing their budgets? And how can brands navigate the complex relationship between value and cost?

Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

A survey has revealed that Britons plan to spend less on non-food purchases this Christmas, turning to online and secondhand marketplaces to find better deals. However, as consumption jars more with climate anxiety, brands may have to take a more circular approach to the festive period.

Retailers are making a jump-start on the holiday shopping season and have already begun rolling out holiday-themed items and deals to cater to pocket-conscious shoppers. In an era of economic turbulence, people are growing more strategic with their spending to stretch their budgets.

Canadians between the ages of 18 and 34 have indicated higher rates of stress about their debt, causing them to turn to side hustles to keep up with their standard of living. With multiple jobs and income streams normalised, increased stress levels provide an opportunity for brands to offer support.

Many people think of artificial intelligence as only affecting online interactions. But as it makes its way into more physical environments, how will people react? And how can brands best use the tech to engage their customers and strike the right balance between personalisation and privacy?