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] Asia-Pacific is forecast to deliver the fastest growth rate, driven by rapid urbanization, government initiatives in smart cities, and a burgeoning consumer base receptive to new mobility solutions. AutoEVTimes
• [New] If 2025 was the year travelers reclaimed mobility, 2026 will be the year they demand better systems. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Consumer confidence plummeted to its lowest level in over a decade amid growing fears of stagflation - a combination of stagnant economic growth and rising inflation. FPG Fortune Prime Global
• [New] Humanoid robots' design amplifies cybersecurity risks due to their mobility and autonomy. The Fedninjas
• [New] The U.S. and Canada are expected to be unable to match strong year-ago demand, while Europe is forecast to see a modest year-over-year decline, especially in France, where political instability appears to be impacting consumer confidence. J.D. Power
• [New] Supporters have praised the initiative for generating $152 billion in annual revenue, while critics have warned of rising consumer costs and potential stagflation. / USA The Regulatory Review
• [New] Retailers focusing on personalized online experiences will capture more consumer interest. Aspire Navigators
• [New] The trend of consumer sentiment lagging macroeconomic trends has been a staple of the 2025 economy and seems poised to carry over into 2026. Ipsos
• [New] US consumer inflation's annual pace slowed more than expected in November. investing.com
• [New] While the 2025 season may be a win for top-line revenue, the underlying financial health of the consumer heading into 2026 remains a point of significant concern for Wall Street analysts. FinancialContent
• [New] Analysts at Moody's project that real consumer spending growth will slow to roughly 1.5% in 2026. FinancialContent
• [New] Prioritizing the consumer preferences highlighted in 2025's Mobility Consumer Index will be critical for key players across the EV ecosystem including auto manufacturers, policymakers and charge point operators going forward. WardsAuto
• [New] The Mobility Consumer Index for the U.K., potentially the first European country to impose a ban on new ICE vehicles as early as 2030, saw a similar slump in EV demand, with 41% of consumers planning to buy an ICE vehicle as their next purchase. WardsAuto
• [New] With transport demand set to more than double by 2050, mobility-related choices made in the coming decade can lock in sustainable development pathways. United Nations
• [New] Entering 2026, regulatory expectations are tightening at every level, and consumer awareness has never been higher. Modern Restaurant Management
• [New] Despite clear headwinds in the form of higher uncertainty and weaker sentiment, consumer spending has increased at a steady pace throughout 2025 and is projected to grow by 2.9% for the year as a whole. Central Bank of Ireland - English
• [New] The U.S. DOT's AAM strategy will be a game-changer, ushering in a new age of aviation where flying taxis, cargo drones, and other innovative transport solutions can take off and land in cities worldwide, creating new opportunities for sustainable mobility. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Orange is building momentum from the consumer side by launching satellite SMS with Skylo using direct-to-device technology, with plans to extend to professional and corporate customers in 2026. Verdict
• [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
• [New] Investors should watch for potential strategic pivots; as hardware reaches a saturation point, the next battleground will be Edge AI - bringing powerful processing directly to consumer devices. FinancialContent
• [New] Snap has publicly planned lightweight, consumer AR glasses for 2026; the announcement pressures incumbents to simplify hardware and lower price points. Glass Almanac
• [New] As the fashion industry navigated economic headwinds in 2025, strategic deals, shifting consumer behaviours, and retail disruptions defined a turbulent year for brands big and small. Doing Business in Bentonville

Last updated: 01 January 2026