November 16, 2012
Weekly roundup: Chinese affluents, food trends and desk beds
Posted by: Jessica Vaughn - New York in North America
-A Boston Consulting Group study finds that Chinese consumers regard “Made in the USA” as better quality and will pay a premium for it. And a BCG report forecasts that the number of affluent consumers in China will more than double by 2020.
-The latest World Energy Outlook report finds that demand from Asia is spiking and that the U.S. is on track to become a net exporter of energy, according to The Economist.
-Accenture’s Luxury Shopping Survey finds that while half of American consumers plan on buying luxury in the near future, their choices will be restrained, per The Los Angeles Times.
-The Wall Street Journal reports that, although doing business there presents serious challenges, companies are establishing footholds in Myanmar.
-Ad Age looks at food trends in America and how marketers are adapting to new consumer demands for “fast, fresh, flavorful.”
-The Wall Street Journal spotlights the rise of beer sommeliers, one of our 100 Things to Watch in 2011.
-The Economist looks at the rise of Brazilian investment in Africa.
-Quartz magazine examines how India’s Aakash tablet could “blindside PC makers, educate billions and transform computing as we know it.”
-The Economist looks at the impending war between the credit industry’s big players as they move toward virtual wallets.
-More companies are actively supporting gay rights as they work to retain top talent, according to a study outlined by The Wall Street Journal.
-The New York Times spotlights some conflicting research on consumers’ music spending and listening habits.
-The Verge takes a look at the advent of “over the top” TV services, arguing that “the new war for TV is just beginning.”
-A Guardian columnist spotlights some of the ways in which the retail industry is changing.
-The Wall Street Journal reports that Black Friday is increasingly moving online for retailers and consumers.
-The New York Times reports that major U.S. retailers are starting to take on the role of banks, selling a range of financial products.
-A Fast Company columnist argues that the apparel industry is ripe for innovation.
-In a New York Times op-ed, author David Bornstein chronicles the rise of the social entrepreneur.
-The Economist looks at how tobacco companies are dealing with strict packaging regulation.
-The New York Times looks at how algorithmic bidding systems that target individual consumers online are hurting traditional Web publishers.
-New research shows that men and women are becoming more likely to agree on how to share working and parenting responsibilities, as reported in Inc.
-The bed is becoming the second desk, reports The Wall Street Journal, as people increasingly bring their work (and tech devices) to the bedroom.
-A new report finds that America is hosting more international students than ever, especially Chinese students, reports USA Today.
-Among China’s super-wealthy, flying is seen as the new hobby of choice, but little airspace is open to civilians, according to Reuters.
-Nick Bilton makes a case for casting ballots by smartphone in The New York Times.
-A Time columnist explores the difference between multitasking and “Digital-Device-Distraction Syndrome.”
-Adweek looks at how the U.S. Federal Trade Commission plans to crack down on deceptive health claims in advertising.
-The Wall Street Journal reports that “P.S.” is dying out in an age of digital communications.
-“GIF” edges out “YOLO” to become the Oxford American Dictionaries’ Word of the Year.
