Knowledge hub

In early 2022, Panera Bread introduced its Unlimited Sip Club, a subscription service granting customers unlimited self-serve beverages for a monthly fee. It was among the first major fast-food chains to test a subscription-based model, shifting from traditional loyalty programs to a strategy aimed at securing recurring revenue and increasing customer visits. Subscription models are […]

Food prices in Japan have surged since 2022, shifting consumer habits in ways that brands cannot afford to ignore. A nationwide study by our sister company, CMG Inc., reveals the extent of this shift, showing how inflation influences where, what, and how often people buy groceries. Japanese consumers have long prioritised quality and brand loyalty, […]

For years, brands have poured billions into social media, banking on its power to capture consumer attention. But many users are logging off, exhausted by algorithm-driven content, relentless ads, and digital fatigue. The rise of the social media detox movement presents an inconvenient truth for marketers: the platforms once considered indispensable may now push consumers […]

The fastest-growing consumer in the toy industry is not a kid. A new generation of adults is rewriting the rules of play, driving billions in annual sales and reshaping how toy brands approach product development and marketing. These buyers, known as kidults, are fueling growth as they seek nostalgia, collectables, and high-end toys once marketed […]

The second-hand goods market in Japan has seen extraordinary growth over the past decade, more than doubling in value since 2010. This surge reflects a shift in consumer behaviour toward more sustainable and economic choices, driven by the rising popularity of second-hand goods platforms and a cultural focus on quality and reuse. Our sister company, Cross Marketing […]

A pair of limited-edition sneakers sells out in seconds. A countdown timer warns shoppers to buy now—or miss out. An influencer teases an exclusive event, restricted to a select few. Despite a surplus of consumer choices, brands are making products deliberately harder to buy. Scarcity, urgency, and FOMO—the fear of missing out—have become core strategies […]

When Miguel and Mikayla Reyes launched Quesadilla Gorilla in Visalia, California, they weren’t just selling quesadillas – they were tapping into a growing demand for customisation. By letting customers build their meals with fresh ingredients and signature salsas, they transformed a small local shop into a rapidly expanding chain. Fast food chains are no longer […]

A billion people depend on India’s wheat harvests. What happens when the heat rises too fast for crops to survive? Export bans. Soaring grain prices. A scramble for alternatives. Across Asia and beyond, food systems are under strain as extreme weather makes staple crops increasingly unpredictable. In response, scientists in China have developed drought-resistant rice […]

B2B marketers have traditionally relied on account-level intent data, measuring company-wide engagement signals – website visits, content downloads, and webinar attendance – to identify potential buyers. But as decision-making power fragments across multiple stakeholders, these broad indicators are proving unreliable. Marketers aren’t just missing key players in the buying process; they’re wasting valuable resources targeting […]

They don’t fit into a neat generational box, yet they are shaping the future of commerce, content, and connectivity. Meet Gen C – Generation Connected, a powerful psychographic group that defies traditional demographics. Unlike millennials, Gen X, or Gen Z, they aren’t defined by birth years but by behaviour: always-on, digitally fluent, and community-driven. For […]