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Future of Consumption
Explore the latest strategic trends, research and analysis
Global Issue
Industry
Economy
Global Issue
Industry
Economy
Future of Consumption
Explore context
Retail, Consumer Goods and Lifestyle
Circular value chains in fashion: Strengthening trust in second hand markets
The Forum, Bain, Ralph Lauren, Vestiaire Collective and EVRYTHNG, have launched a pilot to ensure the authentication of fashion products in second hand markets.
Davos 2022
How digitalisation and the metaverse are revolutionizing the retail industry
Rather than reducing physical sales, the metaverse could unlock opportunities for retailers, but bridging the physical and the digital while creating a cohesive customer experience will b...
Plastics and the Environment
Helping consumers fight plastic waste
By promoting reusable packaging, the World Economic Forum is helping reduce plastic waste.
Davos 2022
Why a meat tax is addressing the wrong problem
A flat meat tax would conflate all types of meat production as one. Here are some better alternatives on how to make agriculture more sustainable for all.
COVID-19
This is how COVID-19 has changed consumption habits for men and women
Men report they hadn't missed certain goods and services during lockdown, while women attribute reduced expenditures to perceived financial constraints.
United States
How is the growing plastic waste problem impacting America?
The recycling rate fell from 8.7% in 2018 to 5-6% in 2021. This is due to a big drop in plastic waste exports, with China and Turkey banning such imports.
Energy
How ports can be transformed into energy hubs of the future
Ports offer great potential when it comes to reducing our energy consumption and transition to green energy. Especially hydrogen could offer an answer.
Cities and Urbanization
This chart shows the impact rising urbanization will have on the world
The share of the world’s population living in cities is expected to rise to 80% by 2050, from 55% now. This could double global material consumption.
Retail, Consumer Goods and Lifestyle
Retailers use psychology to influence your buying decisions, here's how
Moving items around, external shopping cues and bundle offers are all examples of psychological techniques retailers use to influence how we buy in-store.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial empathy: the upgrade AI needs to speak to consumers
In order to better serve individual consumers, artificial intelligence can't just passively interpret data. It must learn how to interact with and respond to human emotion
Geo-economics
What do sanctions help achieve? An expert explains
Economic sanctions have been used as a tool of war for centuries. Their main objective is to deter bad behaviour and enforce behavioural change in targeted states.
Future of Food
21 circular economy solutions: changing how we eat, live and travel for a more sustainable world
We outline 21 ways to change how we consume, keep and discard things to help build a circular economy. Across all aspects of life from food to travel.
Emerging-Market Multinationals
Can trade become more sustainable? Here are 5 developments to watch
Here are five developments for trade to be more sustainable this year: trade initiatives, a global treaty on plastic pollution, a World Circular Economy Forum, policy proposals and Stockh...
Future of Consumption
This Tree Provides Income For 16 Million Women. But It’s In Danger Of Being Lost
Future of Consumption
Innovation helped entrepreneurs and small businesses survive COVID-19. Here's how it can drive future prosperity
Two innovative programs for delivery and e-commerce kept entrepreneurs resilient during COVID-19. AB-InBev explains what factors made those programs effective.