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.

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?

Navigating reality has become an almost constant shock to the system. With the ongoing cost of living crisis, wars, political polarisation, and global environmental issues, life’s stresses are becoming increasingly difficult to escape. With individuals and collectives in a perpetual state of disturbance, peop...

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) payment schemes have become a risky option for people looking to spread their costs due to a lack of immediate funds. To prevent people from falling into debt cycles for big and small purchases alike, New Zealand is implementing more effective regulations to protect users.

Gen Yers and Zers have been turning to BNPL schemes as they continue to spend on little luxuries to cope with economic permacrisis. However, this coping mechanism may have an adverse effect as users struggle to keep up with debt payments via all-too-easy-to-access credit options.