Shopping

Several Singaporean malls have introduced 'calm zones' to offer elderly and neurodivergent people a more comfortable shopping experience. By providing public spaces to accommodate different access needs, this initiative exemplifies how brands can reach a wider audience by leading with inclusivity.

The bargain-hunting app Temu has become a favorite among American budgeters thanks to its cost-cutting deals. As people feel the pinch of soaring prices and interest rates, price is often prioritized over loyalty, creating opportunities for brands to offer ways of tackling financial anxiety.

Shop Latinx has launched Our Paradiso, a beauty and wellness vertical that aims to uplift Latino-founded brands. As Latino people seek more financial access and representation across different business sectors, platforms like Our Paradiso help boost their brands and culturally-nuanced products.

American cruise operator Royal Caribbean International has announced the return of its ultra-large luxury cruise ship, Spectrum of the Seas, to Shanghai in April 2024. As China opens up after easing its COVID-19 policies, ‘revenge travellers’ are seeking elevated luxury experiences.

Research has found that young shoppers are ready for virtual assistants and AI to help make purchasing decisions and in-store shopping more exciting. As brands continue to adjust how they’re leveraging technology, prioritizing its use for personalization in shopping experiences can prove popular.

Playing up its craft heritage, Swiss watchmaker Breguet is hoping to connect with potential new customers through an art exhibit at Frieze New York. The brand's approach reflects the changing role of wristwatches, with many viewing them as investments and works of art rather than practical objects.

A survey has found that the majority of consumers in states where cannabis is legal are buying from brick-and-mortar retailers. Despite the rise of online alternatives, the findings demonstrate the continued importance of in-person experiences, especially for niche products.

Gen Zers are emerging as a significant consumer group for luxury brands, with their high-end spending growing rapidly. Viewing premium items as investments and making sure they do their research, this cohort is spending on small luxuries, exclusivity, and brand values amid the cost of living crisis.

A study from Snap has revealed a growing optimism towards social shopping. However, though convenience and trust are important drivers when it comes to shopping online, privacy concerns remain and many aren’t comfortable handing over financial or personal data to social platforms.

A study has found that a vast majority of shoppers think companies raise prices primarily out of greed, indicating a change in perception after years of inflation. As the cost of living crisis persists, sensitivity to price hikes is increasing and many are less likely to remain loyal to brands.

Research suggests nearly two in five Americans consider environmental impacts when making food purchasing decisions, with cost becoming less of a barrier. The findings highlight that while inflation hasn’t deterred intent to live sustainably, people expect brands to offer realistic ways to do so.

Anti-influencing represents a shift in the performance of aspirational culture. However, as Gen Zers are still motivated by status-driven purchasing, they're seeking authentic recommendations, and the de-influencing trend is challenging brands to prioritise trust through credible partnerships.

In a move that threatens the market share of companies such as Klarna and Affirm, Apple has entered the buy now, pay later (BNPL) scene with Apple Pay Later. In spite of rising consumer debt, people are looking for flexible payment plans to help them navigate financial uncertainty.

Australia Post is testing changing rooms that allow people to try on their online purchases before deciding whether to keep or return them. With rising living costs, the move benefits those who want to exercise more prudence without giving up on online shopping entirely.

Pinterest’s sister app Shuffles has announced that users are now able to find and shop for products through its collages. With its attempts to encourage intentional creativity, it’s appealing to Gen Zers who are craving a visual-centric and for-you approach to social media and e-commerce.

A survey has found that beauty shoppers in India are increasingly discerning the nuances behind brands' claims, expecting transparency and making more rational purchases. Local brands are taking advantage of the shift by focusing on functional, tailored, and science-backed products.

Luxury brand Telfar, well-loved for its handbags, has implemented a pricing system in a move to increase transparency and democratize the luxury market. It comes as many young consumers look for ways to gain entry to the market, finding creative solutions or turning to resale platforms.

Buy now, pay later is on track to become Southeast Asians’ most preferred digital payment method. However, the very same populations enamoured with BNPL are also the most underbanked in the region, further exposing the risks of rising consumer debt and the need for tighter regulation.

Asda’s Ramadan aisles will provide the Muslim community with a one-stop-shopping solution during the holy month. By combining a range of products by established brands and smaller, family-owned businesses, the initiative hopes to improve cultural awareness and elevate accessible food options.

A study has found that Gen Zers credit card users in the US are actually less likely to have racked up debt on them compared to older generations. Despite the ‘need it now’ mentality thriving, the cost of living crisis is causing many young people to take a responsible approach to shopping.

Mexican convenience store Oxxo has opened its first cashier-less store, allowing customers to grab and go with ease. The store is testing out the tech's efficacy before expanding its smart store locations, leaning into people’s desire for immediate gratification while navigating tech safety concerns.

Ramadan is a time when Muslims focus on community and spiritual connection, and in the UAE, people are doing so through their purchases. A report has found that many plan to increase their spending in 2023, with people prioritising deals as they find the right gifts for their loved ones.

Post offices in depopulated Japanese towns have begun hosting retail spaces inside their offices to help support older residents who can’t travel long distances to shop. As Japan’s ageing population coincides with revenue tax drops, there’s a need for products and services to support the elderly.

Etsy has seen its shares tumble after a report by Citron Research alleged that it had become a hotbed for counterfeit products. With people tightening their wallets for gift expenses amid rising living costs, prioritising trust and transparency is becoming important for customer retention.

Kult is making it easy for Indian beauty buffs to get the products they need through its rapid delivery service. The platform’s focus on premium products and dermatologist-driven insights makes it one of many in a new crop of brands driving hyper-personalised beauty direct to customers' doors.

Brazilian online grocery delivery company Diferente is aiming to provide easier access to healthier foods at more affordable prices. Leveraging the use of m-commerce in the country, brands like Diferente can offer alternative solutions to those in harder-to-reach places.

As people increasingly expect brands to widen their commitment to inclusivity, neurodivergence is becoming an integral aspect of DE&I. To this effect, Currys has launched a nationally implemented low-noise, low-light ‘Quiet Hour’ within stores, to better support its neurodiverse customers.

JanSport’s line of adaptive bags aims to appeal to people with disabilities looking for function and fashion on the move. As people become more vocal about the inclusive changes they want to see in clothing and accessories, launches like these demonstrate how some brands are taking heed.

TikTok is expanding its e-commerce presence by opening up its storefront opportunities in twelve new markets. With the app’s dominance in both entertainment and search, it's building a presence that people are increasingly reliant on and is leaning into the new attention economy.

Plum has introduced a 'Naughty Rule' saving feature to help users find a comfortable middle ground between sacrifice and indulgence. By setting aside cash towards savings after purchases of guilty pleasures, shoppers will be able to positively reimagine their cash splurges.

Across the Netherlands, Wasteless is implementing its AI-informed pricing system to reduce grocery store food waste. This tech allows for effortless participation in a sustainable practice for shoppers, as well as helping to keep prices low – helping to ensure that cost doesn't harm people's ethics.

Bacardi India’s luxury-first platform is aiming to bring together local brands under one roof to uplift local businesses. With some people still willing to splurge, there's an increasing group of those prioritising purpose – highlighting the tension between mainstreaming luxury and careful spending.

Livestream shopping is gaining traction in the US with platforms like Whatnot. The app's community focus and diversity of sellers has positioned it as a leader of the burgeoning medium, especially as shoppers become wary of sponsored content and instead look for more personal messaging.

In China, young entrepreneurs are using VPNs to access international audiences on Instagram and promote their brands. More than a demonstration of new career paths, the phenomenon also signals a wider movement of people circumventing regulations to get a slice of the pie.

Walmart’s Text to Shop service makes grocery shopping an achievable task for busy parents. Banking on the appeal of its familiar interface, it's hoped that the app will convert traditionally skeptic Americans into online shoppers through the promise of a freed-up schedule for family time.

Virgio, a start-up in India, is looking to be the next one-stop shop for younger shoppers trying to stay on top of fashion trends. Working directly with designers and manufacturers to mainstream branded apparel, they may also be inadvertently pushing fast-fashion tendencies in the country’s industry.