Modern self-care can come in many forms, and for many, self-gifting fits the brief perfectly. After a year characterised by deferring the usual modes of relaxation and connection, people are yearning for the feeling of something luxurious to look forward to. 

’s success exemplifies people’s desire for self-indulgence, particularly building up routines of self-soothing to cope with the stress and monotony of pandemic times. The box also aligns with the shift away from make-up reliance and rides the rising demand for better skincare products – 

 who use skincare say they’ve reduced the amount of make-up they wear.

While restrictions have meant physical closeness is off the cards for many, people are keen to remind each other of the emotional ties through material gestures. For example, online florist 

 saw people sending flower bouquets to friends and family, acting as a ‘substitute hug’. “We see a lot of people sending flowers to say ‘thank you’ or ‘just because’,” says Aaron Gelbard, Bloom & wild co-founder. And it’s not just flowers: according to Packaging Online, at the peak of the pandemic, online searches for food gifts saw a 

Luxury gift box subscriptions are a thoroughly modern little luxury. Shoppers can draw on expert curation in all kinds of categories, without the prohibitive costs but with the thrill of discovery that people are craving. This is particularly useful in categories that have knowledge barriers like wine; 

, a natural wine subscription service that leverages sommelier curation to make wine tasting approachable and accessible to people who might otherwise have felt lost. Expert curation can also work as a substitute when people are unable to go in store or further afield – while people continue to face uncertainty with foreign getaway, food and drink brands can curate a 

Health and beauty UK giant Boots has launched its 2021 Beauty Box, a collection of skincare staples for under half the retail price. With pandemic-era shoppers indulging in skincare rituals as part of self-care, skincare bundles are on track to become an increasingly attractive product.

Boots Beauty Box: surprise and savings on luxe skincare

From finally splashing out on a dream car from one’s youth to splurging on a new dress in celebration of a promotion, there are numerous reasons to buy yourself a treat. Canvas8 polled 1,000 Britons and spoke to four people to find out why they indulge in self-gifting from time to time.

Why do Britons buy themselves gifts and treats?

Dover Street Market is opening its first store in Paris in Q2 2024, ahead of the brand’s 20th anniversary. The new retail space will extend beyond fashion, offering a centre for art, communication, and community at a time when consumers want to be engaged in meaningful ways.

Dover Street Paris promises immersive retail experiences

Unilever has unveiled Wonder Wash, a product aimed at providing a better, quicker clean for the growing share of people doing quick-cycle washes. Many people are doing more frequent laundry with smaller loads and are looking for innovation to facilitate quicker cleaning.

Unilever develops detergent for quick washes

Eco-friendly brand Veja is expanding in the US and has launched its first cobbler studio in New York. Cobbling is an increasingly viable means of extending the shelf life of shoes. The increased demand for sustainable practices signals a shift in consumer culture, with purchase habits changing.

Veja opens its first American sneaker repair store

Economic challenges, marketing saturation, changing relationship patterns, and the move towards digital interaction have diminished the vibrancy and engagement usually associated with Valentine’s Day and White Day – one example of Korean and Japanese people’s fatigue surrounding ‘Day’ marketing.

Does the decline of White Day prove people are getting tired of ‘Day’ marketing?

‘Sari-sari’ (literally, ‘variety’) stores remain staples in Filipino neighbourhoods despite the rise of convenience stores. They balance affordability and accessibility with modernisation and adapt to changing needs by providing reasonably priced essential goods, making them a pillar in the country.

Why Filipino neighbourhood ‘sari-sari’ shops flourish amid convenience stores

Furniture company Dowel Jones champions Australian-made furniture and embraces authenticity amid new market dynamics. The brand’s pillars of durability, timeless design, and emotional resonance effectively negotiate what it means to do functional design in the modern day.

How Dowel Jones puts fun in functional Aussie furniture

Three major UK fast-fashion retailers have signed an agreement to present 'only accurate and clear green claims' about their products. With people becoming increasingly concerned about greenwashing, brands should be aware that these plans can build trust, but they can also be met with scrutiny.

UK fast fashion brands commit to ethical codes

M&S is investing £1 million in changing the diet of milk-producing cows to cut the amount of methane they release. As people demand greater environmental action from corporations, companies are implementing changes across their production and supply chain practices to show their commitment.

M&S target cows' diets to tackle methane emissions

Xydrobe has announced Harrods as the first retail partner for its multi-sensory VR cinema, providing a diverse program of tactile, immersive experiences. With audience expectations around experiential shopping increasing, digital integrations can enhance storytelling and community engagement.

Harrods to offer multisensory VR experience for shoppers

Wyn Beauty is a sports-backed cosmetics brand recently launched by tennis champion Serena Williams. With the cosmetics space increasingly dominated by celebrities, Wyn Beauty aims to go beyond mere aesthetics and create functional products that cater to active, on-the-go lifestyles.

Wyn Beauty meets needs of functional-first beauty buffs

Timepieces have evolved from utility to self-expression, fuelling major growth in the luxury watch market led by younger consumers. The industry is being reshaped by Gen Z and Y buyers who prioritise individuality and sustainability. How can watchmakers merge tradition with consumer demands?

How will consumer trends affect timepieces in 2024?

According to new research by PYMNTS, Boomers are the most likely generation to pay for everyday items – from yoga classes to coffee pods – via subscriptions: 92% of respondents said they've embraced them. This hints at new opportunities to service this demographic while ensuring safety and security.

Boomers use more subscription services than Gen Y

In an ageing country with fewer kids per capita than ever, South Korean adults are willing to spend money on the kids that do exist in their lives, driving a booming childrenswear industry. What’s shaping Gen Alpha’s fashion choices in their formative years, and what should brands watch out for?

Why are so many South Korean Gen Alphas wearing luxury clothes?

Naver, South Korea’s biggest search engine, has created interactive shopping experiences and a thriving online community. Through its combination of group-buying, live e-commerce, and AI-generated ads, it continues to make exciting improvements that keep it at the top of the game in South Korea.

How Naver decodes Korean shoppers’ online lifestyles

LEGO has partnered with KultureCity for Autism Awareness Month, offering sensory bags to autistic shoppers in stores. The bags, filled with practical tools that help to make stores more enjoyable for neurodiverse LEGO fans, promote empathy through play and creative, inclusive spaces.

LEGO supports autistic shoppers with sensory goody bag

Despite a number of incentives and charges, studies show that French households are producing more trash. The failure of current measures shows the critical need for companies to spearhead sustainability initiatives that focus on reducing waste in the pre-production stage.

French household rubbish rises despite incentives

Poor economic conditions, shifting work arrangements post-pandemic, and political headwinds are changing Americans' feelings about social class. Canvas8 spoke to eight of them to find out how their class identity is becoming more fluid, and how this is shaping their decisions.

Is class still important to American identity?

‘Budol’ culture is a phenomenon that influences Filipinos to shop online impulsively because of social media trends and recommendations from friends. While this can promote a sense of community among buyers with the same preferences, it can also lead to overspending and mindless purchases.

How ‘budol’ culture makes Filipinos overspend

With over 20 million active shoppers, same-day delivery, and recent expansion into the luxury market, Coupang is South Korea’s answer to consumers’ hyperconnected demands. As online shopping overtakes traditional shopping, speed becomes the currency for the satisfaction of Korean shoppers.

How Coupang delivers Korean demands at lightning speed

In 2021, IKEA opened its largest branch in the world, right in the heart of Metro Manila. Despite reeling from the effects of the pandemic, its successful run is a masterclass in how brands can capture the tastes of the minimalist, sustainability-minded Filipino homeowner.

How IKEA designs curated spaces for Filipino minimalists

Boutique grocery stores, including those run by brand giants, are popping up more and more in the inner cities of Australia amid an anti-supermarket sentiment. The question is, how did this happen, and are Aussies buying the cost of convenience and bougier atmosphere these places are offering?

Behind the success of boutique grocery stores in Australia

Limited-edition releases have been a long-standing marketing strategy that appeal to our psychological triggers, tapping into our desire for exclusivity and a niche community. How are brands enticing consumers’ desires through rare product releases and tech advancements?

What’s driving the desire for limited-edition products?

In a global campaign, Eastpak shines the spotlight on the creativity and resilience of live action role-play (LARP) communities. No longer viewed as a siloed form of entertainment, there's an opportunity for brands to tap into the power of niche subcultures and garner authenticity.

Eastpak campaign taps into creativity of LARP culture

The 2024 Generational Snapshot of Generation Y in the Asia-Pacific region explores how a move towards purposeful living and stable life has Gen Ys spending with more intention, taking care of their health and overall wellness, and enjoying the freedom that comes with not having children.

2024 APAC Gen Y Snapshot

Snap has announced the return of its AR Ramadan mall, complete with new features to heighten the immersive retail experience during the festive season. It’s an example of successful localisation that goes beyond product to become an integral companion in the everyday lives of local customers.

Snap uses AR to bring Ramadan shopping to life

In a first for the brand, MCM has launched a Ramadan-themed capsule collection. While Eid and Ramadan will continue to be important moments for luxury brands to show up, the growing buying power of Muslim shoppers means they’ll be expecting localisation to be the norm rather than a novelty.

MCM debuts Ramadan capsule collection 

Target’s loyalty program is expanding, introducing a tiered system with features that rival similar offerings from Amazon and Walmart. The move meets consumer demand for faster, more affordable, and more convenient shipping options, a space that Amazon Prime has largely dominated.

Target expands loyalty program to meet shipping demands 

Gentle Monster is more than a sunglass store with colossal robots. Its rich, immersive brand narrative is a survival tool for the future of luxury retail. Through experiential stores and experimental accessories, it highlights the power of quality experiences that stand out to the fashion-forward.

Why Gentle Monster turns Korean shades into mod spectacles

While budget concerns are seeing luxury buyers turn to pre-owned items, challenges persist as they seek foolproof authentication to verify the hidden gems they’ve discovered. Canvas8 spoke to seven Britons to explore their affinity towards resale platforms for high-end goods.

Why are Britons buying pre-owned luxury?

Resale platforms are a staple of the contemporary shopping experience, but do people trust them enough to splurge on luxury goods? Canvas8 spoke to five Americans about the pros and cons of buying high-end items second-hand, and whether they’d ever switch back to buying new from a brand.

Why are Americans buying pre-owned luxury?

Pinterest users are actively using the platform's inclusive filters that diversify search results, especially Gen Zers. As younger generations continue to look for more personalised content, tech-enabled tools for equitable representation are becoming ingrained into their daily digital lives.

Pinterest's inclusive AI seeing uptick in Gen Z usage

Klarna's AI assistant managed two-thirds of customer service chats in its debut month, showing efficiency and customer satisfaction. The trend towards AI customer service reflects a preference for quick, accessible support, alongside a debate on AI's impact on jobs and service quality.

Klarna celebrates AI handling the majority of customers

For decades, Calvin Klein has seemingly had its finger on the pulse of culture, casting celebrities of the moment to front its often controversial campaigns. While the brand boasts plenty of expertise in generating buzz via advertising, how is it trying to capture the attention of Gen Zers?

Why Calvin Klein poses its legacy using the erotic gaze

Minimalist styles dominate the global furniture market, led by Swedish brand IKEA, which Japanese brand Nitori wants to challenge. In their current battleground, Southeast Asia, Nitori attempts to get ahead by tapping into locals’ preferences for more practical and convenient living.

Why Nitori builds utilitarian spaces for SEA homemakers

Veja's Paris store focuses on sustainable fashion, offering repairs and products to increase longevity. It embodies ethical consumption trends, reflecting values important to today's consumers, who prioritise environmental and social impacts and durability in their purchasing decisions.

Veja brings sneaker repairs to the shop floor

EmSphere offers an unparalleled futuristic experience by blending lifestyle, shopping, and a seamless online-offline experience under one roof. The mall caters to distressed locals and returning tourists in search of greener spaces to socialise and be entertained in the heart of the capital.

Why EmSphere blueprints the future of Thai shopping

According to a report from The Business of Fashion, the sneaker resale market is in steep decline. This reflects a shift from exclusivity to accessibility, and consumer preference for value and innovation – signalling broader trends in fashion towards authenticity and sustainability.

Sneaker hype culture declines amid taste change

AI-powered stores are now the future of shopping, the ultimate benefit being to save costs on staff, reduce unnecessary discounts, reduce waste, and encourage further sales. But what is the impact of such efficiencies on shoppers – and are these changes always welcome from a customer’s perspective?

How AI-powered stores are changing shopping

The market for engagement rings for men is booming as people look to more expansive models of masculinity. This trend speaks to a wider challenge to the traditionally gendered roles assigned within heterosexual partnerships, as well as eroding expectations of rigidly masculine style choices.

The sales of men-focused engagement rings are booming

Festival season is a buyer’s market for fashion-forward Indian consumers, with much of the spending on textiles, garments, and jewellry. International brands are taking notice of the growing appetite of India’s affluent classes for luxury and responding with collections to satisfy their tastes.

For affluent Indians, festival season is an excuse to spend more on luxury

Lowe's Style Studio on Apple Vision Pro is a VR experience that aims to simplify the kitchen design process. The move aligns with the demand for AI/VR-enabled shopping experiences while also addressing the demand for personalized living spaces that better reflect people's interests and styles.

Apple Vision Pro elevates kitchen design at Lowe's

Hestia Cigarettes is leveraging online influence and word-of-mouth marketing to appeal to modern smokers. By harnessing the power of UGC and leveraging the rebelliousness and nostalgia many young Americans have adopted, it has positioned itself as a cult brand and ‘cool’ alternative to vaping.

How Hestia became a cult brand among modern smokers

E-commerce giant Meituan has launched an in-app feature that helps customers avoid last-minute shopping during Chinese New Year. As super apps become ubiquitous, there’s an opportunity to help ease customers’ mental load and enable them to stay present in the everyday occasions that truly matter.

Meituan makes Chinese New Year a stress-free celebration

Since its launch in 2022, Temu has become popular among online shoppers in the US. However, the platform’s gamified shopping experience could be taking advantage of its most committed patrons, Gen Xers and Boomers. Already distrustful, people expect brands to provide equitable customer service.

Temu’s gamified shopping can confuse older users

DoorDash is using its Super Bowl ad to shake up its reputation as a simple delivery service in favour of bringing anything and everything to its customers. With the promise of a monumentally big giveaway for one lucky winner, the brand is catering to rising consumer expectations in a big way.

DoorDash upgrades its promises with Super Bowl giveaway

As the Year of the Dragon approaches, sales of dragon-themed products have seen explosive growth on e-commerce platforms in China. The traditional cultural symbol of good luck and prosperity is resonating particularly with young consumers, who are driving the country's guochao movement.

Chinese buyers drive sales of dragon-related products 

A study found generational differences in Lunar New Year spending in Southeast Asia, along with family members taking the lead in shopping. The report highlights how brands have the opportunity to be attuned to specific demographics and their needs by paying close attention to family dynamics.

New family dynamics emerge from Lunar New Year report

Lunar New Year has varied celebrations across Southeast Asia, though a focus on food, reunions, and prosperity traditions are common. E-commerce plays a vital role in shopping surges, with Gen Z emerging as a pivotal market in the region, leading the evolution of consumer behaviour.

How the Lunar New Year drives shopping among Southeast Asia's Gen Z

Global e-commerce marketplace Etsy has launched Gift Mode, an AI-powered tool that provides personalised recommendations for gift purchases within the platform. As consumer expectations of online retail experiences grow, both shoppers and retailers are using AI to enhance customer journeys. 

Etsy's AI-powered tool personalises gift giving

According to industry experts, adults shopping for themselves drove an outsize portion of toy sales in 2023. Many grown-ups are buying analogue toys for their nostalgic appeal, collectability, and use for offline social play – leading the industry to factor ‘kidults’ into their plans for the future.

'Kidults' are leading toy sales despite inflation

By creating in-store immersive shopping experiences, collaborating with brands that share its ethos, and focusing on retail moments that extend the customer journey, Anthropologie is a perfect example of a brand expanding its universe to engage current consumers and invite new ones.

How Anthropologie taps into people’s lifestyle needs

Farm Rio has grown from its market stall roots in Rio de Janeiro into one of fashion’s most promising up-and-coming brands. As shoppers look for sustainable, serotonin-boosting brands that showcase their cultural roots, Farm Rio injects fun and personality into their wardrobes.

How Farm Rio brings dopamine dressing to fashionistas

Gen Zers are driving an unlikely resurgence of the shopping mall as a social destination, rejecting online shopping for IRL discovery. Many young people, beginning to understand the downsides of a digital-first existence, are turning towards physical experiences for connection and convenience.

Gen Zers drive the shopping mall rebirth in the US

New data from the Bank of England shows that UK consumer credit borrowing grew at the fastest rate for five years in November. Elsewhere, there is evidence that more Britons are turning to credit cards to pay for essentials such as food. What’s behind this uptick in borrowing?

Why are Britons maxing out on credit?

Despite the omnipresence of online retail, where everything can be purchased in a couple of clicks, people continue gravitating to brick-and-mortar locations for certain products. Canvas8 spoke to seven people across the US about what encourages them to take a trip to the store.

What lures Americans to brick-and-mortar stores?

Despite online shopping proliferating in people's lives, many Britons are being drawn back to brick-and-mortar stores for a more sensory and considered shopping experience. Canvas8 spoke to six people across the UK about why they prefer IRL retail during the cost of living crisis.

What lures Britons to brick-and-mortar stores?

China and the Philippines are arguably Asia’s biggest basketball nations, partly because the sport is integral to their respective histories. The NBA secures its position in Asia’s cultural sports identity through strategic partnerships and a holistic shopping ecosystem that crosses sectors.

How the NBA uses holistic experiences to court Asian basketball fans

Brands are exploring personalisation and elevated offerings in in-store shopping to lure customers in. People are turning to physical retail for immediacy, sensory satisfaction, and a slower shopping experience, which helps them deal with choice overload and control their spending.

In-Store Priorities

With ever-increasing choices – and greater day-to-day stress – people are looking for a helping hand to make purchase decisions. Accustomed to peer-to-peer recommendations, people want shopping platforms to act almost like knowledgeable friends, helping them navigate online retail.

Curated Choices

Amid an increasing distrust of traditional influencer-led marketing, people still use social platforms to discover and make purchases. With the rise of ‘de-influencing’ and peer-to-peer recommendations, fresh opportunities to reach people through social media have come into play to satisfy the growing demand for personable and immediate retail.

Shopping Social

As budgets remain strained, people are facing tough decisions around their shopping priorities. When it comes to essentials, many are gravitating towards options that don’t compromise quality at a lower price point – and are even seeking luxury from quotidian purchases.

New Essentials

How are people rethinking daily essentials according to their stretched budgets? What is causing the surge in social shopping behaviours? Why is curated retail on the rise amid choice fatigue? What drives people to immersive, in-store retail in the era of one-click purchases?

Shopping Sector Snapshot: January 2024

Woolworths Group has announced it will no longer sell any Australia Day-themed products due to cultural sensitivity and declining demand. With trust in business ranking higher than other institutions, people will be expecting companies to uphold their DE&I promises in substantial ways.

Woolworths pulls Australia Day merch off the shelves

John Lewis has released a campaign encouraging people to shop in its January sales. Drawing on both high quality and low price, as well as a treat-yourself mindset, the campaign taps into a more critical approach to spending amid cost of living concerns and a continued desire to indulge.

John Lewis nudges shoppers to give into sale temptation

Succession is one of the biggest shows of recent times, and fans gathered online to dissect the show and the characters, make plot predictions, and take style notes. US Heritage Auctions have also given fans a way to extend their relationship with the show by acquiring memorabilia used in its making.

'Succession' fans express fandom through memorabilia

Shopping

People are turning to micro-retail therapy

Fatigued with deferring gratification until a COVID-19-free future, people are turning to new modes of luxury shopping to celebrate the here and now. Gifting has become part of the pandemic love language as people treat loved ones from afar and indulge in escapism for themselves. Little indulgences can be anything from bouquets as substitutes for hugs, self-care stocking up, or just a way to introduce some variety into samey lockdown lives.

https://cdn.sanity.io/files/1mk9ifx4/production/693f9ecc8f95859253920e59cc1ef9cfbc81ac0a.pdf