Topic
consumer-behavior
E-Commerce & Marketplaces Mobile payments rise in UK as cash decline slows, UK Finance data shows
Two-thirds of UK adults were registered with a mobile payment service last year, according to UK Finance. Debit cards accounted for 54% of payments, while cash use fell to 8% and is forecast to halve by 2035. The decline in cash is slowing, with millions still relying on notes and coins.
Business Weight-loss jabs reshape UK shopping habits, cutting grocery spending by £780m
New research reveals that more than two million UK users of weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro are significantly altering their spending patterns. Households with GLP-1 users spend an average of £418 less on groceries annually, contributing to a £780m national decline. The shift extends to product choices, with reduced purchases of chocolate, pastries and alcohol, and increased spending on protein-rich foods, mouthwash and hair dyes – the latter to counter common side effects. Retailers and food manufacturers are adapting product sizes and marketing strategies.
E-Commerce & Marketplaces EMI and instalment-based smartphone purchases nearly at par with one-time payments in India
According to Counterpoint Research, smartphone financing via NBFCs and credit/debit card EMIs will account for 42% of total smartphone sales in India in 2026, up from 35% in 2025. The trend is driven by rising smartphone prices, attractive no-cost EMI schemes, and increasing consumer preference for monthly payments. Samsung leads in financing penetration with its Samsung Finance+ and other options.
Commodities How Consumer Buying Behaviour Is Reshaping the Indian Edible Oil Industry
India's edible oil industry is undergoing a transformation driven by more alert consumers who compare prices and check unit rates. The government has standardised pack sizes to fixed volumes, eliminating confusing odd-sized packs. The market, at 25 million tonnes in 2024, is projected to reach 28.2 million tonnes by 2033, with household consumers accounting for 64% of consumption.
Trade Inflation Fuels Unconventional Consumer Behaviour in India with Stockpiling and Premium Home Spending
The article by Harish Bhat in The Hindu BusinessLine outlines seven counter-intuitive consumer responses to inflation in India, including accelerated stockpiling of essentials, a shift to larger packs, increased spending on premium home groceries, and a preference for domestic products. These trends have direct implications for import demand, packaging, and supply chain strategies.
Commodities Cod Prices Surge Amid Supply Challenges and Consumer Loyalty
Cod prices have surged to unprecedented levels due to fishing quotas and geopolitical tensions, forcing UK fish and chip shops to diversify their offerings. Despite the price hike, consumer loyalty to cod remains strong.
Commodities Gold Prices Surge: Jewelry Exchanges Up 60% Amid Record Highs
Gold exchange transactions have surged by 60% year-on-year as record prices prompt consumers to swap old jewelry for new. This trend is reshaping buying habits and reducing reliance on imports.