Articles
ByteDance - TikTok’s Parent’s Financial Expansion Objectives: Where Does Union Mobile Pay Acquisition Fit?
David Zhang
In April 2024, ByteDance was reported to acquire Union Mobile Pay (UMP) for CNY1.4 billion (USD200 million), pending regulatory approval. ByteDance operates popular social media and commerce platforms (TikTok and Douyin). This article analyses its strategic objectives of financial expansion, and the key threats and opportunities in relation to financial industries. UMP is considered to be a key chess piece of the game.
ICBC Barcelona: Mitigating Uncertainty in Legal Cannabis
Shane MacGuill
This year’s ICBC Barcelona took place in March, in the shadow of uncertainty. The legal cannabis industry has been struggling against several headwinds – lack of regulatory momentum, continued consumer ambiguity and capital constraints – which are collectively clouding the outlook for operators in one of the world’s youngest consumer sectors.
Fashion Marketplaces in Europe: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Brando De Carlo Coleman
During the COVID-19 pandemic, apparel and footwear e-commerce witnessed a strong boost in sales, as customers were forced to turn to online shopping owing to restrictions and store closures. Yet, since the easing of restrictions, in-store shopping has bounced back and, with it, the share of online sales dropped. This has left many luxury online players struggling under the pressure of either slowing or declining sales.
Future of Consumption: Unlocking Gen Z Behaviour
Jana Rude
Generation Z, comprising 23.2% of the global population in 2023, is poised to wield significant consumer influence. However, their polarised behaviours toward social activism, technology, and spending present challenges for businesses. This article suggests leveraging Gen Z's key values - empowerment, self-expression, belonging, rationality, and retreat - to tackle dichotomous behaviours and build a future-proof customer base.
Key Trends for Cannabis in Japan: Law Amendments and New Opportunities in CBD Market
Aya Suzuki
Euromonitor International’s latest research in 2023 reveals a staggering growth in the Japan’s cannabis market over the past four years, expanding approximately sixfold from JPY4 billion (USD26.3 million) in 2019 to JPY24 billion (USD173.8 million) in 2023. This surge is attributed to the rising demand for products offering relaxation, sleep improvement, and stress relief.
Unleashing the Power of Play: Gamification Brings the Fun In-Store
Paula Goni
With consumers rethinking their spending and retailers actively looking to revitalise their operations to increase their store appeal and sales, gamification elements as part of loyalty programmes stand as a powerful tool to facilitate engagement and in-store experiences, while enhancing the overall shopping journey.
Three Packaging Strategies to Adopt in Times of Cost Pressures
Rosemarie Downey
The consumer packaging industry is typically strong in its ability to withstand crises, given the importance of everyday groceries to global revenues; food and drink accounted for 92% of retail packaging volume sales in 2023. However, inflation, interest rates and geopolitical instability serve to amplify operating costs, for packaging converters/machinery players, brands, and retailers, apparent in the final retail price point, paid by the consumer.
Sustainability Gaining Momentum in Home Care in Middle East
Steve Odinga
Home care in the Middle East is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by the convergence of two factors: a surge in consumer demand for innovative cleaning solutions and the active promotion of sustainable and eco-friendly practices by governments. As such, consumers are seeking cleaning solutions that offer eco-friendly formulations, sustainable packaging, and stress-relieving fragrances tailored to regional preferences
Megatrends: Quantifying Shopper Reinvented
Bob Hoyler
The Shopper Reinvented megatrend highlights how consumers’ habits are changing across the pre-purchase, purchase, and post-purchase stages of the shopping journey. One of the most obvious manifestations of this shift is the consumer propensity to increasingly make purchases across many different platforms, both offline and online – partially due to an increased desire for instant gratification.