Need a 10-year golden visa? Vietnam’s got you. A $5M gold card? Trump’s testing it. As governments put fast-tracked citizenship on the table, more of us are daydreaming about pastures new: year-on-year, there’s been an 11% rise in people planning to work from a different country in the future. Move over luxury cars - visa-fueled freedom is the new flex.
Scroll down to read about medical shame, flying cars, and bento boxes.
Stats to power your week
💸 Price rise scares don’t always empty shopping carts. 44% of consumers who feel tariffs have impacted them are buying something now to avoid higher prices later on. Encouraging people to lock in today’s rates could be a great marketing tactic. In fact, pre-tariffs sales have already started. GWI Zeitgeist
🙏 Think societies are becoming more secular? Think again. The number of Americans claiming to be “very religious” is noticeably higher than it was in 2021 among Gen Z (+37%), those expecting their first child (+40%), and daily TikTokers (+13%). No wonder the recent conclave and world’s first US-born pope lit up both timelines and candles. GWI USA
📰 Creator-led journalism is having a moment. Substack, a platform that lets writers sidestep traditional media, has attracted millions of new subscribers lately. And it’s only scratched the surface of indie talent. Of 135 job roles, journalists are the fifth most likely to say they’re self-employed or freelance (35% do). GWI Core
🏥 Many women feel awkward talking about gynecological issues. In fact, they’re over 20% more likely than men to say they’ve put off seeking help for a medical problem for at least a few months. But actually, among those who avoid the doctor, men are more likely to put it down to embarrassment. Is macho culture to blame? GWI Zeitgeist
🎥 Microsoft’s decision to wave its video service Skype goodbye could reshape the competitor landscape. In mid-2024, 13% of professionals outside China said their company or team used it. So, there'll be plenty of businesses weighing up their options. GWI Work
What’s on our radar
As Netflix introduces a new TikTok-style mobile video feature, Meta starts testing video ads on Threads.
If you need more proof that the diet landscape has changed, WeightWatchers just filed for bankruptcy. For better or worse, bariatric surgery and weight loss injectables are tempting alternatives that are putting pressure on more traditional weight loss companies.
Forget electric or autonomous vehicles, the world’s first mass-produced flying car is finally here.
The US and China have agreed to a 90-day reduction on tariffs made in April, a clear signal they're looking to cool tensions. The move could offer some much-needed relief for both businesses and consumers.
As we mentioned last week, the initial tariff push may have got more people thinking about secondhand products. And the sector’s reaching new milestones in places. Vinted is now the leading clothing retailer in France.
To deal with a slump in donations, some charities are going digital to compete with secondhand fashion apps, as startups try to make the experience of donating feel like investing. New approaches may become more necessary if countries stop penny production, with the loose change we put in collection boxes really adding up.
Chart of the week
To better understand how people grow up, we followed the same group of Gen Alpha, and compared how they saw themselves in 2021 vs 2024.
Contrary to common belief, 16-18 year olds are less likely to believe they’re open-minded than older adults, with this quality developing during adolescence. According to youth research, teens become more open to diverse perspectives over time and as schools start introducing them to wider issues - another reason to get them debating.
By their own admission, teens also become less outgoing. Popularity and belonging are super important to kids, while “me time” is more socially accepted and valued later on. As their identities and priorities shift, so should brands’ messaging.
Local lowdown
From bento to konbini
Food habits help us understand culture. 45% of Japanese consumers buy fresh ready meals each month, higher than anywhere else in the world, and similar to the share who buy coffee.
This behavior is centuries in the making. The idea of “bento” - which started as a way to pack meals for travelers and warriors, dates back to the 1100s. Later on, bento boxes became a staple at social gatherings like tea ceremonies, which meant pre-made meals were already a crowd favorite.
So, when konbinis (convenience chains) started popping up in the 1970s, people were very receptive to their food products, with the country’s long working hours, small flats, and relatively high number of single people creating demand for them. These brands show that the world can have it both ways: fast and fresh.
