NOW Ep105: Global consumer trends 2025 | How inflation, AI and tariffs are reshaping retail

Loading player...
From AI-optimised shelf space to influencer-fuelled fast fashion, global consumer trends are in flux. Global Consumer Analyst at Investec UK, Eddy Hargreaves, joins No Ordinary Wednesday to explore retail innovation, brand strategy, and why selling to today’s cautious, connected shopper is trickier than ever.

Podcast key moments:
00:00 – Introduction
01:21 – Developed vs. emerging market consumers
02:32 – Inflation, discounts and luxury sales decline
05:05 – How tariffs affect pricing, brand perception and supply chains
07:28 – AI transforming retail
12:36 – Digital media, influencers and personalisation shift
13:07 – Personalisation data at scale
16:07 – Innovation vs. convenience
20:05 – Sustainability ethics under pressure
23:16 – What’s driving the demand for tailored products globally?
25:18 – Beverages and energy drinks markets growing
27:28 – Weight loss drugs reshaping food, apparel, and wellness sectors
31:54 – Temporary trends or structural shifts?
33:40 – Rise of Chinese brands

Read more on www.investec.com/now

Hosted by seasoned broadcaster, Jeremy Maggs, the No Ordinary Wednesday podcast unpacks the latest economic, business and political news in South Africa, with an all-star cast of investment and wealth managers, economists and financial planners from Investec. Listen in every second Wednesday for an in-depth look at what's moving markets, shaping the economy, and changing the game for your wallet and your business.
Chapters
  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:21 Developed vs. emerging market consumers
  • 02:32 Inflation, discounts and luxury sales decline
  • 05:05 How tariffs affect pricing, brand perception and supply chains
  • 07:28 AI transforming retail
  • 12:36 Digital media, influencers and personalisation shift
  • 13:07 Personalisation data at scale
  • 16:07 Innovation vs. convenience
  • 20:05 Sustainability ethics under pressure
  • 23:16 What’s driving the demand for tailored products globally?
  • 25:18 Beverages and energy drinks markets growing
  • 27:28 Weight loss drugs reshaping food, apparel, and wellness sectors
  • 31:54 Temporary trends or structural shifts?
  • 33:40 Rise of Chinese brands
22 Jul 2025 English South Africa Business · Investing

Other recent episodes

Macro Monday Ep124: AI capex and competition concerns weigh on stock markets

Increased competition among LLMs and uncertainty about the return on investment on AI capex are all weighing on the market performance on momentum stocks, such as semiconductor firms. Chris Holdsworth, Global Chief Investment Officer, Investec Investment Management, looks at some of the dynamics in global stock markets.
20 Jul 8 min

NOW Ep 131: South Africa’s consumer crunch

Are South African consumers past the worst of the fuel shock? Household budgets have been hit by higher fuel prices, rising inflation and pressure on real wages. But fuel prices are starting to fall. The risk is timing. Will relief arrive before households are forced to cut back further? Host…
14 Jul 24 min

Everything Counts | Episode 51: Managing global travel disruption

In this episode of Everything Counts, we unpack the real-world impact of geopolitical tension on global travel, from grounded flights and closed airspace to the human stories behind stranded passengers. What happens behind the scenes when airlines, advisors, and entire systems are forced to respond in real time? Host Motheo…
14 Jul 29 min

Macro Monday Ep123: Headwinds and tailwinds for global growth

Global GDP growth looks set to be around 3% this year, as the global economy deals with headwinds from a supply shock because of the war with Iran and tailwinds from artificial intelligence spending, says Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, at Investec Wealth & Investment International. While US and Chinese…
13 Jul 9 min

Macro Monday Ep122: Markets have a good first half of the year

Despite the war in the Gulf, the last six months have been good for global equities. While the US market’s performance has been in line with the overall global performance, the standout has been South Korea, which, says Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, at Investec Wealth & Investment International, has…
6 Jul 9 min