We keep our ear to the ground for the interesting stats, insights and discussion points you need to feel in the know and shape the future with confidence.
1. Live, laugh, loyalty
Old-school loyalty programs that just toss points at customers aren’t cutting it anymore. People want more than a free coffee after ten visits. They’re craving experiences that feel personal, fun, and actually worth their time. So, what’s a brand to do? Brands need to level up with a modern loyalty stack — a slick combo of tech, data, and engagement tools that work together to create something memorable. When it comes to tech, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Some brands go for standalone platforms, others mix and match modular tools, and some bake loyalty right into their e-commerce systems. The key is flexibility because the brands that build loyalty into their entire digital ecosystem are the ones that’ll win hearts (and wallets) long-term.
The New Loyalty Stack as the Foundation of Modern Customer Engagement
2. Clever framing
What happens when AI doesn’t just follow instructions, but sets its own course? That’s the promise — and challenge — of Agentic AI. Unlike rule-based systems, these agents make goal-driven decisions in real time, adjusting to whatever curveballs an industry throws. Think factories rerouting supply chains on the fly, customer service solving 80% of queries solo by 2029, or boards tapping AI for 10% of executive decisions. The payoff? Speed, adaptability, and cost savings of up to 30%. But autonomy isn’t a free pass — oversight, ethics, and accountability remain crucial as one billion AI agents come online by 2026. Businesses that strike the right balance between independence and guidance may find themselves running faster, leaner, and smarter than ever.
How Agentic AI can transform industries by 2028
3. The human touch
AI promises speed, smarts, and smooth operations but in the rush to automate everything, we’re forgetting the most important part: people. Design thinking used to be a nice-to-have but now it’s survival mode. As AI starts making decisions and taking action, it’s not just about keeping humans in the loop, it’s about making sure we’re not pushed out of it. AI bots seem super helpful until you get to the store and have to relay the entire conversation to the store clerk again. That great experience that you just had online? Gone in a flash. This kind of disconnect is popping up everywhere. It’s not just awkward, it’s risky. When tech feels fake, people stop trusting it. And without trust, AI adoption slows down. There is only one fix. Design with empathy. Ask real questions like: What makes someone feel proud at work? What makes them feel replaceable? Build AI that learns from people — not replaces them. The goal isn’t just speed. It’s connection…
The Role of Humans at Center: Designing with Empathy in the Age of AI
4. Shelf life extended
For all the talk about the “death of the store,” the reality is far less dramatic. In 2025, physical retail is still expected to pull in $14.4 trillion of the $18.9 trillion global market — hardly a fading act. Sure, e-commerce keeps growing, but the store remains where most shopping actually happens and, more importantly, where trust and loyalty are built. In fact, 94% of consumers make their purchase decisions in-store after browsing around online. And these spaces aren’t just about shelves anymore — they’re turning into hubs for discovery, experiences, even services like resale, health, and augmented reality-powered trialing. For retailers, the trick isn’t choosing digital over physical, it’s realizing the magic (and money) happens when the two work together.
Should retailers close stores or make them work harder?
5. Remote control
COVID-19 changed the future of work and taxes. Global tax rules are changing fast, and remote work is making things even trickier. Where someone lives, works, and gets paid can all be different and that’s a tax headache. It can mess with payroll, trigger unexpected tax obligations, and even challenge how companies justify their presence in a country. EY’s 2025 Mobility Reimagined Survey shows that over half of employers say cross-border risks have gone up. But many still don’t connect big tax changes like Pillar Two to employee mobility. That’s a miss. Because where people work affects not only how companies are taxed, but also how they operate. The pandemic blurred the lines, and now companies have to pay closer attention to where work is actually happening.
How mobility functions fuel tax strategy in times of flux
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