Global Scans · Lifestyles · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Digital lifestyles are on the rise around the world and AR and VR will likely see us all using wearables, head-mounted displays and smartphones in almost everything we do. And, most of us will be living in cities too with full amenities close by.

• [New] From seamless global online payment gateways to sophisticated customer relationship management (CRM) systems that use AI to predict purchasing behaviour, fintech is essential for modern luxury retail. FinTech News UK
• [New] Preventing Colorectal Cancers AICR estimates that 47% of US colorectal cancers could be prevented if all adults were to get to a healthy weight and follow other healthy lifestyle habits. American Institute for Cancer Research
• [New] Bain's survey of US consumers shows, when compared to last year, consumers expect to do more in-store shopping. Fibre2Fashion
• [New] In India, several hospitals and healthcare initiatives have launched community outreach programs to educate women in rural and urban areas about breast health, risk factors, and lifestyle changes that can reduce vulnerability. KeyMyHome.com
• [New] Social Commerce to Exceed $1 Trillion by 2028 - Time to Build Shopping Features Social commerce is projected to surpass $1 trillion globally by 2028, with 46% of consumers now purchasing products directly through social media. The Academy
• [New] By 2025, AI will allow brands to deliver customized experiences based on not only customer data but also real-time factors like location and behaviour. Medium
• [New] The 2025 holiday shopping season will be less predictable and more spread out than in any other year. Forbes
• [New] Asia Pacific is projected to grow fastest, fueled by urbanization, lifestyle changes, and expanding insurance provider networks. Market.us Media
• [New] By 2025, we can expect AI to take a more proactive role in the testing process, providing deeper insights into software behaviour and delivering more efficient, accurate results. ContextQA
• [New] Voice commerce is projected to reach $164 billion worldwide by 2025, with grocery shopping showing the most success. Acticsledge
• [New] In 2025, we can expect a surge in AI-powered personalization, where algorithms analyze customer data to provide tailored recommendations and personalized shopping experiences. Retail Management Software Blog
• [New] In current 2025 back-to-school surveys, shoppers are finding their way back into stores: 59% of U.S. adults anticipate shopping primarily in physical stores for back-to-school items, up from 54% in 2024. KASE
• [New] More than half of Americans shopping for hybrid meal occasions, there's a real opportunity for retailers to support lunches and dinner time. www.fmi.org
• E-commerce and day-to-day commerce are among the biggest beneficiaries: voice shopping spend will reach $82 billion globally by the end of 2025, with industries such as local businesses, hospitality and retail experiencing rapid adoption. Techedge AI | Latest AI & Technology News Today
• Regional growth is particularly sharp in Southeast Asia, where wallet adoption is expected to grow 311% by 2025, fueled by booming e-commerce and a surge in super-apps that blend payments, shopping, messaging, and transport. Electro IQ
• Predictions for 2029 are for the global total transaction value to rise by more than 70% to more than US$ 17 trillion, asserting that wallets are here to stay and specifying a long-term consumer behaviour shift. Electro IQ
• The 2025 High Blood Pressure Guideline now provides specific recommendations for patients with BP values between 130-139/80-89 mm Hg who are at lower 10-year risk, defined as an estimated risk of < 7.5% by the PREVENT Equation. American College of Cardiology
• As more families and professionals migrate north from Sydney and Melbourne seeking space, affordability, and lifestyle, houses in Brisbane's inner and middle-ring suburbs will continue to attract intense demand - both from owner-occupiers and investors. Property Update
• Brisbane has quietly become one of Australia's most exciting property stories - a city transforming from the underdog of the east coast into a powerhouse of growth, lifestyle, and opportunity. Property Update
• Social commerce - which includes shopping on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok - is expected to become more personalized to customers. Grocery Dive
• Fashion & Beauty: Virtual try-on from brands like Warby Parker (for glasses) and Sephora (for makeup) has become a standard and expected feature for online shopping. Vinova Pte. Ltd. - IT Solutions Company

Last updated: 16 October 2025