Reports: Latest

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Beautyligion and the rise of Halal cosmetics

The needs of Muslim beauty consumers, particularly in western cultures, remain relatively unexplored. This article explores the changing relationship between the Muslim faith, Halal lifestyles, and the beauty industry.

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Civic Brands

In a time of economic uncertainty, brands are trying to increase their cultural and civic clout. This report discusses the drivers behind the shift towards Civic Brands, and brings together recent case studies and statistics.

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Brands and their role in society

A surprising range of brands, both large and small, are addressing how they connect with and provide for customers and communities in more socially meaningful ways. This is changing notions around the role that brands occupy in society.

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Global Mindset

A young, aspirational generation of westerners, reared on a diet of diversity, travel, globalisation and foreign food, are embracing a lifestyle with a global outlook that is in contrast to the more nationalist tendencies of their elders.

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Branding and consumer ethics

Corporate Social Responsibility is not a one-sided system; it requires consumers as well as brands to discover where their priorities lie in terms of values and ethics, and to help each other along in this process.

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Informed Consumerism

People aspire to make well-informed decisions about purchases both prior to and at point of sale, either online, on their mobiles, or in-store. But there is evidence that the emphasis is not necessarily on making ethical or rational choices.

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Conscience Confusion

There is evidence that despite consumers claiming to base their purchasing decisions on ethical issues such as the environment, their actual retail habits do not reflect such strong commitment and indicate a high level of uncertainty.

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The conscientious tourist

Germany is seeing a rise in conscientious tourism. Beyond the superficial 'decay porn' of slum tourism, these travellers seek out holidays with rigorous ethical practices, from involvement in the local community to stringent water management.

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Kawaii kappe: Japanese farming’s youthful new look

Beyond hobby farming on city allotments, Japan's young people are returning to agriculture as a viable career choice, spurred on by cool cultural products, a stagnant job market and smart government initiatives.

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Repackaging luxury

Luxury brands are under increasing pressure to convert environmental efficiencies into real value for their customers. Tom Crawford suggests that innovative packaging design offers exciting opportunities to do exactly this.

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Sustainable Capitalism

As blame for the world's economic, social and environmental woes coalesces around the twin foes of self-interest and short-sightedness, a movement for a new business model built on responsibility and longevity has emerged.

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Religion and brand affinity

A recent US study suggested that devout individuals are less swayed by consumer culture as they are sufficiently fulfilled by their faith. We evaluate the tensions – and opportunities – at the intersection of branding and religion.

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The eco metropolis, Eastern progress and national greenwashing

The ambitious plans for eco cities in China and Abu Dhabi are the result of both ecological and economical necessity. Given their questionable role in green activities to date, however, how much of this is greenwashing?

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A welcome break? Motorway food in the UK

Driven by the Slow macrotrend, the UK’s ‘motorway mindset’ is shifting. We explore the French approach to roadside dining and map out opportunities for smartphones in changing the market.

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Burying taboo: shifting attitudes to death

New technology allows people to ‘live on’ digitally and pop cultural icons are re-appropriating death in an increasingly candid manner. Jenny Winfield identifies a more relaxed Western approach to a traditionally awkward subject.

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Embracing the new philanthropy

In spite of good intentions, consumers value cost savings over planet saving, and they expect major multinational companies to do what they can’t.

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3D and the Avatar effect: affinity versus utility

Following the ‘game changing’ success of Avatar, Dipak Nayar examines whether Digital 3D genuinely heralds ‘the dawn of a new era...which will advance the timeless and global art of storytelling.’

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Looking beyond the Indian middle class

Much attention has been paid to India’s middle class with its growing appetite for branded apparel, home décor and electronics; yet most of the population earn less than $2 per day. Meena Kadri looks further down the economic scale.

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Green UK and the new austerity

Even if government claims that the recession is over are to be believed, people are still feeling the pinch. How is this affecting their commitment to ethical and how does the new austerity impact on all shades of the green consumer?

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Gaming the system: how play engages us more each day

Jason Della Rocca explores the industries incorporating elements of play to make the brand experience more enjoyable. From films to cars, “systems-level thinking” is impacting product design and affecting consumer behaviour.