India's credit card market has grown significantly, yet only 1 in 4 credit-active consumers holds one. Despite improving delinquency, penetration remains low compared to global peers, and credit cards contribute less to formal credit expansion. Usage is also challenged by competition from UPI and personal loans.
The $160 billion functional drinks market is booming, fueled by health-conscious millennials and Gen Z seeking innovative beverages like protein coffees. Major brands including Starbucks, Danone, PepsiCo, and Coca-Cola are expanding premium offerings, leveraging social media, despite some regulatory scrutiny over health claims.
Anti-tobacco groups criticize Philip Morris International's 'I AM Marlboro' campaign, alleging it targets youth despite the company's claims to phase out cigarettes, with experts noting the campaign's appeal to identity formation among young people across various countries.
Mario Carbone, CEO of Major Food Group, says younger consumers are drinking less but spending more on experiential fine dining. Major alcohol stocks have declined significantly over the past year, with Constellation Brands down 16.8% and Diageo down 28.9%. Carbone's restaurants like Carbone, Torrisi and Parm focus on theatrical dining experiences with tableside preparations, helping offset softer alcohol consumption trends.
Farmers and delivery firms launch new options for those seeking alternative to traditionally pasteurised productRaw milk has long been popular, as well as controversial, in the US. While health authorities warn it can carry harmful bacteria, supporters argue it is more natural, and it has also become tied to anti-government and “natural living” movements.In the UK, it is now gaining popularity, particularly among younger consumers, farmers say, as a less processed option, with new products launching to meet demand. Continue reading...
