Global Scans · Lifestyles · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Digital lifestyles are on the rise around the world and AR and VR will likely see us all using wearables, head-mounted displays and smartphones in almost everything we do. And, most of us will be living in cities too with full amenities close by.

• [New] Consumers will increasingly blend entertainment and shopping through platforms like livestream shopping, which is projected to reach $50 billion in the US alone. Netguru
• [New] About 70% of fashion retailers plan to increase AI investments within the next two years to strengthen personalization and tech-driven shopping experiences. Fashion Theory Magazine
• [New] By 2026, e-commerce and dining will blur as digital platforms become competent lifestyle managers, emphasizing speed and nutritious options led by chefs. Mass Market Retailers
• [New] Agentic AI will transform the front end of shopping fastest in 2026, especially in discovery and decision-making. eMarketer
• [New] 70% of shoppers have used AI tools and features to assist with their shopping journey - and in 2026, consumers will begin to depend on intelligent agents to plan, compare, and then complete purchases. Food Trade News & Food World
• [New] Americans may start shopping earlier in 2025, but 59% will wait for Black Friday or Cyber Monday to make major purchases, and 38.4% of all spending is planned for Cyber Week alone, respectively. ABC17NEWS
• [New] Most of 2025's shoppers are preparing to spend as much or slightly more than last year, but expecting to afford less, meaning gifts will be bought more intentionally and over a longer holiday shopping season than in years past. ABC17NEWS
• [New] In 2015, just 17% of American online holiday shopping happened on smartphones - a share that's expected to hit 57% in 2025. Sherwood News
• [New] Health and indulgence will continue to be among the factors that influence consumer behaviour in 2026 but the ways they affect what shoppers buy is changing. Just Food
• This year brought major shifts across search, social, AI, content, and user behavior-changes that every marketing leader will need to understand heading into 2026. Web Design and Web Development in Cedar Rapids | Inform
• Consumer behaviour in 2025 proved unpredictable, fast-moving, and increasingly shaped by external shocks - from the adoption of AI to geopolitical tensions. ProgramBusiness | Where insurance industry clicks
• PS Seasoning analyzed 1,200 flavour concepts to declare Protein-First Eating as the dominant behaviour for 2026. Source86
• Tech-Driven Shopping: AI-powered shopping traffic is projected to surge by 520% compared to last year, with more than one-third of U.S. consumers already using AI-driven online shopping services. SourcinBox
• As exhausted, uncertain and financially-strained consumers continue to pull back on spending in 2026, many will prioritize quality over quantity - a departure from the immediate post-pandemic era when shoppers compromised on price and values to stock their pantries and have peace of mind. FoodNavigator-USA.com
• Crucially, collagen aligns perfectly with the broader shift toward healthy ageing, longevity nutrition, and holistic self-care, themes that are expected to define consumer behaviour in 2026. FoodNavigator.com
• The bottom line for retailers and brands: By 2030, AI will touch most online shopping in some capacity, completing up to a quarter of transactions. Bain & Company
• Disruption from agentic AI shopping agents will get real in 2026. Morning Brew
• Home values nationwide are forecast to rise only modestly by 1.2% in 2026. Wolfnest
• Amazon's shopping and assistant ecosystem could make voice-first AR a fast product play for shoppers. Glass Almanac
• Asia's influence on global travel is set to surge in 2026, driven by shifting traveler behaviour, rapid digital transformation, and expanding regional connectivity. Trawick International
• In 2026, health and wellness nutrition will continue to dominate consumer behaviour. The National Provisioner

Last updated: 01 January 2026