Global Market Trends and Consumer Expectations With the Economist’s Barsali Bhattacharyya

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AI’s Impact on Customers and Emerging Expectations

This article dives into global market trends, customer expectations, and why businesses should merge automation with human overview. Barsali Bhattacharyya, deputy director for The Economist Intelligence Unit and global lead for the Consumer and Retail sectors, highlights the mixed economic outlook for 2025, with strong growth in the U.S., recovery in Europe and sluggish prospects in China due to geopolitical uncertainties, such as U.S. tariffs on trading partners. Export-dependent economies like China, Vietnam and Japan are expected to face challenges, while India and the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, remain promising markets due to their expanding middle-class consumer base and tourism growth. Consumers, amidst caution, are seeking value and occasional indulgences, driving businesses to differentiate themselves through pricing strategies and value propositions.

Regional variations in inflation and pricing strategies will further shape consumer behavior. Emerging technologies, particularly AI and machine learning, are transforming customer experiences, shifting from backend efficiencies to consumer-facing applications like personalized marketing and digital assistants. Bhattacharyya emphasizes the importance of transparency and accuracy in AI-driven tools, alongside maintaining a human touch to address consumer concerns swiftly and effectively. By merging automation with human oversight, businesses can stand out in a competitive landscape. Looking ahead, the integration of technology and human elements will be pivotal in meeting consumer expectations, ensuring trust and adaptability in a rapidly changing market. This insightful discussion underscores the interconnectedness of macroeconomic drivers, regional dynamics and technological advancements in shaping the future of consumer and retail sectors globally.