Latest predictions indicate that 2027 will set new records in terms of global temperature highs (WMO, 2026), a daunting forecast given this year’s unprecedented weather extremes in multiple territories. Consumers, already feeling the heat and increasingly adapting their wardrobes to suit the changing climate, will be looking to brands and retailers to deliver the innovative products and services that will help keep them cool and protected.

With GLP-1 drug sales forecast to grow globally at a CAGR of 13.4% to 2031, and one in eight Americans having already used the drugs for weight loss (both stats, GlobalData, 2026), their impact on fashion consumption will increase at pace. From flexible fits to accommodate size volatility and full wardrobe remodelling to targeted rental offers and new bridal timelines, there are myriad ways brands can address the needs, and win the loyalty of, growing numbers of GLP-1 users.

A massive two-thirds of Gen Z globally buy second-hand fashion, with the pre-loved apparel market expected to reach $393bn by 2030, growing two times faster than the overall clothing market (GlobalData for ThredUp, 2026). Gen Alpha is following in Gen Z’s footsteps, compounding a seismic generational shift in fashion consumption with multiple key drivers – not least entrepreneurial spirit, frugal sensibility and a desire for individuality. We explore what’s helping the thrifting ecosystem thrive among this new generation of savvy shoppers.

Emotional consumption, where consumers prioritise psychological resonance, stress relief and self-expression in purchases, over and above both utility and status, is a growing trend being driven by Asian consumers. In China alone, this represents a cross-industry economy that could be worth $655bn by 2029 (iiMedia, 2026) and is increasingly impacting globally – especially among younger demographics who are prioritising attributes such as playful escapism, personal meaning and sensory pleasure in their possessions.