Global Scans · Consumer · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Technology will become the new sales assistant, always on, always friendly, always delivering. Consumers will co-create and create products to their exact needs. Brands will have to focus on seizing mobile moments on apps that already have consumer's attention. Instantly explore below how lifestyles, buying behaviors and attitudes are changing and where you fall short in the battle to win consumers hearts and minds.

• [New] Challenges for Widespread Consumer AR Adoption in 2025-2030 Despite rapid growth and immense potential, widespread consumer adoption of AR faces several significant obstacles that must be overcome for continued development through 2030 and beyond. Emerline
• [New] Consumer spending in Europe is projected to strengthen in 2026, supported by lower inflation and falling interest rates. Ksapa - en
• [New] As the number of use cases expands and consumer education increases, we expect on-device GenAI capabilities to be incorporated into more mid-range devices, making them a standard must-have feature sooner rather than later-boosting GenAI share to over 70% by 2029. IDC: The premier global market intelligence company
• [New] By 2030, a fifth of new cars sold in China will be fully driverless, and 70% will feature advanced assisted-driving technology - highlighting China's aggressive trajectory toward autonomous mobility. Automobility
• [New] As 2025 progresses, Australian companies that embrace circular economy principles in packaging will benefit from regulatory compliance, environmental responsibility, and consumer trust. Carewell Group Pty Ltd
• [New] The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index dropped to 55 in October, reflecting economic anxiety that will trickle down to SME sales and cash flow. Peacock Tariff Consulting -
• [New] By the end of 2025, digital wallets are projected to manage over 20% of total global consumer spending. CoinLaw
• [New] The IMF is forecasting a smaller decline in US consumer price inflation for 2025 to 2.7%, declining only to 2.4% in 2026. Al Jazeera
• [New] Persistent declines in low-income consumer traffic and heightened cost pressures from inflation could threaten McDonald's ambitious growth and margin expansion plans. Simply Wall St
• [New] A gradual revaluation of China's currency could help China stimulate consumer spending by boosting disposable income through cheaper imports. Brown Brothers Harriman
• [New] The scrapping of the consumer carbon tax in March and the announcement on the EV mandate are a major policy shift from the Trudeau government's 2021 law that set transparency and accountability measures to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. vancouversun
• [New] Strong consumer demand will drive average seniors housing occupancy rates above 90% by the end of 2026. Connect CRE
• Within five years, AI will be fully embedded into the purchase journey, and as latest Cognizant Research suggests, AI enthusiasts will be driving consumer spending by $690 B in the UK alone, with more than half of consumer purchasing driven by AI. www.cognizant.com
• The strategic partnership with Uber to integrate Blade services could dynamically shift consumer engagement, setting Joby apart from its competitors. StocksToTrade
• While the immediate use case is consumer remittances, Remitly is starting to view stablecoins as an opportunity that extends beyond the consumer use case. Tearsheet
• After starting 2025 on solid footing, U.S. consumer spending is likely to weaken through the rest of the year and into 2026 as households feel the effects of tariffs and economic uncertainty. Morgan Stanley
• In the short term, if consumer sentiment continues to languish and job anxiety intensifies, we could see a further contraction in discretionary spending, potentially leading to slower economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2025 and into early 2026. / USA FinancialContent
• If consumer spending falters significantly, it could accelerate a broader economic slowdown, potentially pushing the Fed towards a more dovish stance, including considering interest rate cuts earlier than previously anticipated. FinancialContent
• The continuing evolution of Congo's resource management strategies will have significant implications for global energy transition efforts and the future of electric mobility worldwide. Discovery Alert
• While U.S. consumers have not yet cut back heavily on domestic trips, consumer sentiment has been extremely low for months, and any hints of decreased incomes could cause luxury goods like airline flights and vacations to be reduced first. Newsweek
• A deflating AI bubble and buckling consumer against the backdrop of a broadly slowing economy would result in a 30% decline for the S&P 500 that could take years to work off. Morningstar, Inc.

Last updated: 23 October 2025