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Khaleej Times
16 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: How some Gen Alpha kids are driving online shopping, household purchases
They may not be the ones footing the bill, but Generation Alpha — children born from 2010 onwards — are playing a major role in household shopping decisions. A new report by global market research firm GWI (formerly GlobalWebIndex) shows just how influential these young digital natives have become. This report is powered by over 20,000 surveys completed by Gen Alpha kids aged 8-15. Majority of children aged 8 to 11 now actively influence — and often decide — what gets added to the shopping cart, from groceries to toys. Khaleej Times reached out to a few parents and experts to understand how this trend is playing out in the UAE. 'My seven-year-old daughter Tanzi basically takes over when I'm shopping online, especially on apps like Temu and Shein,' said Bhavya Rao, a Dubai-based mom. 'She's always peering over my shoulder, eager to see what I'm adding to the cart. She'd pick out items like craft kits, fun accessories, even light makeup or pretend nails. Before I know it, she's made her own little wishlist, full of handbags, hairbands, and whatever else she's spotted," she added. The influence extends far beyond kids' items. 'I never imagined my 9-year-old would influence so many of our household purchases," said Rania El-Masry, an Egyptian mother of two. "From cereal to my work shoes, she always gives her opinion. She follows online reviews, compares styles, and knows what's trending. If something's not 'cool' by her standards, she won't touch it — and neither will her brother. Even when I shop for myself, she's right there giving me fashion advice," Rania added. High exposure to digital content Meanwhile, mental health experts in the UAE echo the findings, saying this growing influence is largely from Gen Alpha's constant exposure to digital content and influencer culture. Carolyn Yaffe, a mental health expert at Medcare Camali Clinic, said, 'This influence is also noticed in their purchasing activities. The extent of social media knowledge that the Gen Alpha kids have are making them more aware of and susceptible to product recommendations." She also noted that children now trust online influencers more than friends or even family when it comes to product recommendations. Gen Alpha kids are constantly watching YouTube unboxing videos, TikTok reviews, and social media content that blends entertainment with subtle marketing. These are shaping their preferences — and making them co-decision-makers when parents shop. 'Brands are adapting their strategies to engage with Gen Alpha, by focusing on their digital platforms, influencer marketing, and creating immersive, interactive experiences that resonate with the values and preferences of Gen Alpha kids," Yaffe added. Yaffe noted that these marketing strategies come in the form of gamified experiences, personalisation, and influencer-driven campaigns. Authenticity and sustainability are also key themes that resonate with these young consumers. Girish Hemnani, life coach and energy healer based in Dubai explained that children are being raised in homes where their preferences are not only heard but respected. 'Thanks to digital media and influencer culture, kids are no longer passive observers. Even though Gen Alpha isn't spending money directly, brands are marketing to them as if they do because in many households, they're the emotional decision-makers. That's why they're not just selling products anymore — they're creating worlds Gen Alpha can emotionally plug into," Girish said. 'You'll see it everywhere: YouTube videos that feel like playdates, product packaging that looks like art projects, and language that's all about fun, freedom, and imagination. Stores are even setting things up at a child's eye level, while websites and games speak their digital language fluently. It's no longer about convincing the parent — it's about inspiring the child. Because when a kid feels seen, excited, and involved, they don't just ask for something... they make it feel like a part of their identity. And that's powerful," he added.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Growth in municipal water investment steady but industry takes a hit amid US tariff uncertainty
OXFORD, United Kingdom, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The latest global water market forecast from Global Water Intelligence (GWI) extends projections to 2030, expecting global capital expenditure on water infrastructure to grow at a 3.8% 5-year CAGR despite the shock from United States trade tariffs. New data from GWI shows that despite uncertainty over the tariffs imposed by the US administration, urgent global drivers like water security concerns, regulation and ageing infrastructure mean utility spending has remained relatively insulated, with more impacts being felt in industrial water spending. GWI anticipates that heavy industries like chemicals manufacturing, refining & petrochemicals and other industrial manufacturing (including steel and automotives) are likely to be most negatively impacted by the global economic uncertainty, with a reduced water spending outlook as a result. However, the buildout of data centres to support AI is translating into growing water-related spending in related industries such as power generation. GWI has revised its forecast to account for higher growth in water capital expenditure for power generation in key data centre markets such as the US. Meanwhile, a combination of regulatory pressure, increasing water stress concerns and a rush to use EU money as a funding cycle ends is expected to see Europe's utility capital expenditure growth to 2030 outpace that of North America and East Asia/Pacific. The Middle East and Africa and Latin America are also expected to see solid growth on the back of water and wastewater treatment buildouts to expand service provision and address water scarcity. GWI forecasts are updated quarterly and are broken out by CAPEX vs OPEX, region, country, application, sector & technology. Access full forecast data dashboards or book a demo directly at For general enquiries contact sales@ About Global Water Intelligence Global Water Intelligence (GWI) is the leading market intelligence and events company serving the international water industry. Over the last 25 years we have built our business around being a trusted interface between our clients and their markets, providing our customers with high-level intelligence that enables them to make the most informed strategic decisions for their business. We cover municipal markets and every industrial vertical as well as technology, finance, and economics. CONTACT: Malin HedlundCOMPANY: Global Water IntelligencePHONE: 01865 204208 EMAIL: sales@ in to access your portfolio
The Guardian
10-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Children limiting own smartphone use to manage mental health, survey finds
Children are increasingly taking breaks from their smartphones to better manage their mental health, personal safety and concentration spans, research has revealed. They are reacting to growing concerns that spending too much time online can be harmful by taking control of their own social media and smartphone use rather than relying on parents to enforce limits, according to experts. The number of 12- to 15-year-olds who take breaks from smartphones, computers and iPads rose by 18% to 40% since 2022, according to the audience research company GWI, drawing on a survey of 20,000 young people and their parents across 18 countries. Prof Sonia Livingstone, the director of the LSE's Digital Futures for Children centre, said these findings were echoed in soon to be published research, which has found that children and young people are trying various options to manage how their online lives affect their wellbeing, including taking a break from social media, distracting themselves from negativity online, seeking more positive experiences on the internet and in some cases quitting social media altogether. Livingstone said: 'Children have got the message – from their parents, the media, their own experiences – that too much social media isn't always good for them. 'So they are experimenting with different ways of protecting their wellbeing, without wanting to give up on social media entirely. I'm sure they're talking to each other about what works for them and figuring out the way ahead.' Daisy Greenwell, the co-founder of Smartphone Free Childhood, said she was increasingly speaking to young people who were 'questioning the idea that growing up online is inevitable'. She said: 'We regularly hear from teenagers who are exhausted by the pressure of being permanently connected and who are choosing to step back for their own mental health. 'Many of them are waking up to the fact that these platforms aren't neutral. They're designed to manipulate attention … They are realising that their time, focus and self-esteem are being monetised by some of the world's biggest companies. Taking a break has become an act of rebellion.' This is reflected in Ofcom research. A report from 2024 found that a third (33%) of eight- to 17-year-olds who are online think their screen time is too high, while another found that 47% of 16- to 24-year-olds who use social media deactivate notifications and used 'do not disturb' mode, an increase from 40% in 2023, and compared with 28% of older adult users. Thirty-four per cent of younger people were more likely to take a deliberate break from social media (compared with 23% who said they would not do this), 29% would delete apps because they spend too much time on them (compared with 19% who would not), and 24% would delete apps for their mental health (compared with 13% who would not). David Ellis, a professor of behavioural science at the University of Bath, noted that teenagers may have discovered the features that let people control their time on social media and smartphones more quickly than their parents – though evidence that these features change behaviour in the long term was mixed, he said. Ellis said: 'If someone is going to spend less time sitting in front of a screen and instead increase their levels of physical activity, then most people would probably view that as a net positive. On the other hand, that time could be replaced by something else less beneficial.' Young people aged 18 to 25 who spoke to the Guardian previously said they felt their 'parent's generation didn't have a clue' and had granted them too much access to smartphones too young, while several said they would restrict access for their own children until their late teens. A recent poll found that almost half of young people would rather live in a world where the internet did not exist and a similar proportion would support a digital curfew, while more than three-quarters felt worse about themselves after using social media. The GWI research also found that social media addiction ranked among parents' top three fears for their children from a list that included climate change, war and the cost of housing, while 8% said they had become tougher about screen-time limits after watching the hit Netflix show Adolescence about the dangers of online misogyny.
Forbes
01-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
AI Is Giving CMOs The Green Light To Think Bigger
Artificial Intelligence Faced with unprecedented volatility, Chief Marketing Officers face a paradoxical challenge: deliver breakthrough campaigns with fewer resources than ever before – and do it with AI. The mandate to "do more with less" has exploded AI experimentation, and it's emerging not merely as a stopgap solution, but as a transformative force that's fundamentally changed what it means to be a marketer. According to recent research from the global consumer research platform, GWI, 60% of consumers are excited for the further development of AI tools. AI-powered marketing isn't just heading towards an internal shift, but one that audiences are ready for as well. The New Creative Equilibrium: Data-Backed Boldness Today's marketing landscape demands differentiation, but traditional approaches to creative development often fall victim to risk aversion. Without concrete data to support unconventional ideas, marketing executives often default to the path of least resistance: safe, banal, predictable campaigns. This is precisely where AI is most useful. "AI's most powerful role in marketing is supporting creative bravery," explains Mark Himmelsbach, Co-founder and CEO of RYA. "Intelligence supporting creative directions that might otherwise be dismissed as too experimental or untested." This shift is about equipping creative leaders with the evidence to move forward quickly. When a bold creative concept is backed by real world data indicating high potential resonance with target segments, CMOs gain the confidence to green-light approaches that break from convention. Real-World Applications: From Financial Services to Retail Financial services firm Invesco QQQ's "Recipe for Innovation" campaign exemplifies this shift toward data-backed creative courage. The campaign was built on a demonstrated link between Invesco's customers and an affinity for celebrity chefs and cooking. By leveraging AI analysis of audience proprietary survey and behavioral data, Invesco QQQ discovered an unexpectedly strong overlap between their target investors and culinary enthusiasts; affluent investors are 55% more likely to be passionate about celebrity chefs and fine dining. This data-backed insight gave the marketing team confidence to pursue the creative direction, resulting in lifts in awareness and consideration of Invesco QQQ ETF YOY. Similarly, Charles Schwab's recent campaigns have tapped into passion points that go far beyond typical financial conversation. In partnership with the creative agency, Episode Four, RYA revealed surprising insights that led to more meaningful brand connections. By identifying unexpected behavioral patterns about Schwab's target audience, RYA helped the team move beyond the traditional playbook and into fresh creative territory. This included building a custom classic car for the PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge winner; an idea that conventional analysis alone would never have surfaced. The Evolving CMO Skill Set: Technical Fluency Meets Creative Vision This shift demands new competencies from marketing leaders. Tomorrow's successful CMOs will blend strategic thinking with creative storytelling and technical literacy: a combination previously rare in marketing leadership. 'The smartest CMOs I know aren't just optimizing outcomes, they're optimizing inputs,' says Himmelsbach. 'They want to know: Which ideas will move people? What tension are we resolving? How do we know this will land?' The role of the CMO is expanding. Strategic storytelling remains essential, but it now hinges on a working fluency in how data is collected, modeled, and interpreted. Marketing leaders don't need to be technologists, but they do need to ask sharper questions – about how insights are generated, what they reveal, and where their limitations lie. This analytical fluency is becoming just as critical as creative instinct. Without it, CMOs risk green-lighting work that feels right but falls flat or dismissing the ideas that could set their brand apart. From Optimization Tool to Innovation Driver Perhaps most significantly, AI is fundamentally changing how marketing decisions are made. Instead of treating data as something that arrives after a campaign is over, CMOs are using AI to shape the creative process from the start. Campaign concepts are evaluated not just on brand fit or creative appeal, but also on their empirical resonance with real-world audiences. This evolution represents the fulfillment of data's creative potential. While data has always been available to marketers, AI's ability to process information on an unprecedented scale and identify non-obvious patterns allows for creative applications that were previously impossible. According to a recent Prosper Insights & Analytics survey, over 25% of people in the U.S. ages 18 and over use at least one form of generative AI such as ChatGPT, Bard, or Copilot, to support tasks on a regular basis - signaling how quickly AI tools are becoming a part of mainstream behavior. Prosper - Heard of Generative AI The result is a new breed of marketing initiatives that balance creative intuition with empirical validation, allowing executives to identify the precise line between boldness and recklessness. The Rise of Radical Relevance Armed with AI's insights, CMOs are increasingly pursuing what might be called "radical relevance" campaigns that challenge category conventions while maintaining deep connections to audience needs and values. This doesn't mean creativity without constraints. Rather, it represents a more sophisticated understanding of constraints themselves, moving beyond demographic profiles to dynamic, multidimensional audience understanding that accommodates complexity and contradiction. "The old approach was to find the middle of the bell curve and target the average consumer," says Himmelsbach. "Today's AI tools let us identify and leverage the illuminating outliers. The unexpected patterns of behavior or preference that lead to breakthrough creative opportunities." The Path Forward: Human-AI Creative Partnership As AI capabilities continue to advance, the most successful marketing organizations will be those that develop a symbiotic relationship between human creativity and machine intelligence. Neither alone is sufficient; the magic happens at their intersection. CMOs who thrive in this new landscape will be those who embrace AI not as a replacement for human judgment, but as an amplifier of human insight. A tool that expands the boundaries of what's creatively possible while providing the evidence needed to pursue bold directions with confidence. The future belongs to marketing leaders who recognize that data and creativity aren't opposing forces but complementary powers, and who leverage AI to achieve a new creative equilibrium that delivers both distinctiveness and relevance in an increasingly crowded marketplace. For today's CMOs, AI isn't just changing how marketing is executed; it's fundamentally expanding what marketing can achieve. The green light is on, and the road ahead is wide open.
Graziadaily
17-06-2025
- Health
- Graziadaily
Boots Launches 300 New Wellness Products
Wellness obsessives rejoice, Boots just added a new collection of viral wellness products to its shelves. And it's little wonder - the wellness scene is booming. More people than ever are tapping into the benefits of a carefully curated wellness routine, whether that means never leave the house without gulping down a spoonful of sea moss, fastening on a fitness watch or working through an app-guided meditation session daily. Or all of the above. According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), over the coming years the wellness economy is forecasted to grow at an impressive 8.6% annual rate through to 2027, when the market will reach $8.5 trillion. The United Kingdom is a serious player on the wellness world stage too, the GWI reports the UK ranks #1 globally for growth in its wellness market when compared with 2019, with consumers spending $3,342 a year on wellness in 2022 alone. Boots has established itself as a key retailer in the space, known for its ever-evolving line-up of beauty and personal care products and more recently its new in-store free dermatology advice and Online Doctor service. To coincide with Global Wellness Day, Boots recently announced a big wellness range expansion, with 18 additional new brands and 300 products being added to its already brimming shelves this summer. The newcomers include TikTok favourites like Humantra and Selfish, which are now exclusively available in the UK at Boots, as well as established wellness heroes like Absolute Collagen, The Nue Co, and Hair Gain. All new wellness brands now available at Boots To accompany the expansion, Boots has introduced two new own-brand wellness ranges: HABI, which offers 15 gummy supplements and skincare products (coming next month) and Modern Chemistry, an ingredient-focused, science-backed range of nine supplements and skincare products (again, dropping next month). Speaking of this move, Boots head of wellness,Kirstie Thorley-Mitchell, explains, 'it is such an exciting time for wellness at Boots. Evolving quicker than ever before, we're seeing huge demand from customers for products to support their health and beauty goals from the inside out. All our new wellness products are carefully selected and curated – we're looking closely at what is trending on social media platforms like TikTok, as well as products that are highly efficacious. Alongside these exciting new brands are our new own brands – HABI and Modern Chemistry, which are great examples of where health meets beauty in one holistic brand offering, featuring supplementation alongside skincare.' Keen to tap in? These are Grazia beauty's top-rated wellness buys to try, now available at Boots. 1. Humantra Berry Pomegranate Electrolyte Powder What the brand says: 'A plant-based, sugar-free electrolyte and antioxidant drink mix with all six essential electrolytes and 100% natural ingredients. It's a completely clean, artificial-free formula that hydrates four times more effectively than water alone.' What we know: Originating from the UAE, this ultra-popular electrolyte powder brand is often caught on our social media feeds and in the hands of countless fitness experts. It contains calcium, zinc, and magnesium, and is sugar, gluten and GMO-free. Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says: 'I use these sachets during Ramadan when I fast from sunrise to sunset, resisting all forms of food and liquids. Before fasting begins at dawn, I drink a glass of this to maintain hydration levels throughout the day. It tastes great too.' Pros Cons If used daily you will quickly run out of this pack 2. The Nue Co. De-Bloat + Supplement - 30 Day Supply Price: £46 What the brand says: 'Fast bloating relief for when you feel like you've swallowed a balloon, with digestive enzymes and clinically studied active ingredients.' What we know: Designed for chronic bloating, gas and discomfort, these supplements contain a proprietary blend of digestive enzymes, clinically studied actives and anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as cinnamon, ginger and turmeric to break down food, reduce gas and get your gut health back on track. Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says: 'I tend to bloat at the first sight of any food, so these supplements have been a real game-changer. They work within the hour to control my bloating and after a few months of using it I've found my digestion is much, much more predictable.' Pros 4.5 star reviews Combats IBS symptoms Cons 3. Selfish Supps Give Me Protein Water 300g Very Berry Flavour Price: £21.75 What the brand says: 'A light, fast-absorbing vegan protein water for a hydrating hit of hydrolysed plant protein. For strength, tone and recovery.' What we know: Made in Australia with hydrolysed pea and brown rice, this fast-absorbing and non-gritty protein water supports muscle tone, strength and repair, while helping to reach your daily protein targets with 10g per serving. Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says: 'I'm a newbie to the protein powder world and this has made the transition smooth. I mix one scoop into 300 ml of water post-workout and love its fruity taste.' Pros Fruity, enjoyable taste 15 servings per Cons Only two flavours in the range 4. Absolute Collagen Marine Collagen Liquid Supplement Raspberry Flavour 10x10ml Sachets Price: £30 What the brand says: This collagen supplement comes alongside clinically proven results that promise 'six-in-one benefits in just six weeks: replenish, restore, firm, smooth wrinkles, improve evenness and boost elasticity', with 8000mg of sustainably sourced collagen. What we know: This expert-backed range is the first collagen supplement to be accredited by the Skin Health Alliance. As well as 65% hydrolysed marine collagen (fish), it features 60mg of vitamin C. Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says: 'This supplement really does work as an all-rounder, I feel like my skin looks more radiant, my hair looks shinier and my nails feel stronger.' Pros 8000mg of sustainably sourced hydrolysed marine collagen Added benefits of vitamin C Cons You'll need to stay really consistent to see visible results 5. Habi Bedtime Sleep Gummies Price: £10 What the brand says: Targeting sleep health, these gummies promise to support sleep and relaxation to help you drift away while gearing you up for whatever the day brings come morning. What we know: Loaded with natural extracts like griffonia seeds, which contains 5-HTP - a naturally occurring amino acid used in serotonin production, as well as lemon balm to aid relaxation, and vitamin B6 to support normal psychological function, these handy gummies are designed to promote a good night's sleep. Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says: 'I can sometimes feel overwhelmed when shopping for supplements, but these simplify things by clearly marking out ingredients and what they are intended for, taking the guesswork out of things.' Pros Affordable Easy to understand Cons Not as chic-looking as some brands Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia's beauty writer, covering all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).
