The World in 2016: From Segments to Fragments
Thursday 28th January 2016 – 08:30-09:30
Happenstance, 1a Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7AA
Our first Trends Breakfast of the year will take a look forward to the major trends affecting the UK and the World in 2016 and beyond. At the heart of our UK outlook is an analysis of how changing economic times are affecting UK consumers, with new classes, new opportunities and new problems created by a polarising recovery.
Our global analysis will be driven by the latest wave of our exclusive Global Foresight data, exploring the values and attitudes of consumers in 20 markets around the world. The next year will see continued growth in advanced markets amid fear of dangerous slowdowns in major emerging ones. But is this really the rebalancing that is driving consumer trends around the world?
The complex global picture includes uncertainty driving renewed fear around personal and national security, while at the same time the continued economic recovery is providing opportunities for brands and businesses to grow.
The nature of the UK’s relationship with Europe and the wider world will be tested by a likely referendum, with the question of devolution not yet settled. Economically, the UK’s continued drift towards an hourglass economy is changing the labour market in multiple ways, while fresh analyses of the opportunity and wealth see new stratifications of social class as we emerge from the downturn. While we are increasingly a digitally connected nation the nature and sophistication of this use varies widely – causing further fragments in opportunity, access and communication.
Elsewhere in society divides emerge across ages, gender, region, political views, between those on the housing ladder and those not, the employed and the self employed, the leisure and the career focussed, the digitally engaged and the digitally disadvantaged.
Wherever we look, the year ahead promises to be a challenging one for many, but also one offering opportunities for growth and progress.
To book your place please email Isabelle Gormezano Marks (isabelle@trajectorypartnership.com)