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] In 2026, paying for goods and services has become an almost invisible part of daily life; you expect transactions to be quick, predictable and free from friction, no matter if you are shopping online or standing at a till. Retail Bulletin | Daily UK Retail News
• [New] In the fast moving digital marketing landscape, by 2026, marketers and brands will be challenged by new challenges, both in the form of AI-driven algorithms and shifting consumer behaviour, as well as increased expectations of privacy. Elite Site Optimizer
• [New] In 2026, AI-supported systems will continue to become more accessible to kitchens of all sizes, offering chefs new capabilities to streamline operations, reduce waste, and analyse consumer behaviour with greater accuracy. CLH News: Caterer, Licensee and Hotelier News - News fo
• [New] With Mastercard Agent Suite customers will be able to build, test, and deploy fit-for-purpose customizable agents, embedding intelligent product discovery for banks and blending personalization with conversational shopping for merchants. FinExtra
• [New] Behaviour shift: 70% of employees expect 30% + of their work to be affected by gen AI within two years, highlighting broad, worker-level expectations of task change. G2
• [New] AI agent-based shopping could increase e-commerce penetration and ultimately level the playing field for brands. Morning Brew
• [New] By 2050, AI systems will be indistinguishable from humans in terms of personality, emotion, and behaviour. Ravensbourne University London
• [New] Optimus really will be a general-purpose robot that can learn by observing human behaviour. TESLARATI
• [New] The defining companies of the next decade will look less like lifestyle brands and more like infrastructure. Causeartist
• [New] Social commerce threats like TikTok Shop and discounters like Temu have forced Amazon to rethink its discovery-based shopping experience. / USA Valley City Times-Record
• [New] Atlanta Apparel welcomes a diverse lineup of new permanent showrooms spanning women's apparel, accessories, lifestyle and footwear, offering buyers fresh perspective and expanded sourcing opportunities across categories. ANDMORE
• [New] Business rates will increase sharply over the next three years as Covid-era support is phased out and property values are adjusted to reflect a return to normal business, post-pandemic. BBC News
• [New] While AI-powered defences are essential, Moody's cautioned that they introduce new risks, such as unpredictable behaviour, requiring strong governance. TechTarget
• [New] AI-powered recommendation systems will redefine shopping experiences in 2026. Omise AI
• Driven by Vision 2030, developments now integrate smart infrastructure and global lifestyle standards, while staying rooted in local culture to meet the needs of a young, urban population. ArabNews
• The lifestyle-focused segment is expected to outperform conventional residential real estate, growing at around 8% annually over the next five years. ArabNews
• In early 2022, Taiwan announced its Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions in 2050 plan, a comprehensive plan covering dimensions such as technologies, lifestyles, green finance, and just transition. The Diplomat
• Longevity will gain even more traction in 2026, driving demand for luxury hospitality, preventative health and lifestyle services. Euromonitor
• In 2026, buying auto parts online will no longer be a supplementary channel - it will be the primary shopping method for many consumers. PCFitment
• With many department stores closing, in 2026, we will see more wellness anchors, like fitness and healthcare, in shopping centers. NetChoice
• In 2026, customers expect personalized shopping experiences, not generic discounts or one-size-fits-all promotions. Blog
• If 2025 was about AI-generated content, 2026 will be the year of AI agent behaviour. Everything in Moderation*
• Traditional AI governance practices, such as data governance, risk assessments, explainability and continuous monitoring will remain essential throughout 2026 but governing agentic systems requires going further to address their autonomy and dynamic behaviour. Governance Institute of Australia

Last updated: 05 February 2026