Consumer Behavior Trends

India’s pre-2017 tax system was equivalent to dark patterns in quick commerce: hidden fees that show up just before checkout. A single product carried excise duty, VAT, entry tax, service tax… all stacked on top of each other. Then came GST in 2017 under One Nation, One Tax. It was a turning point, simplifying a messy web of taxes. Now in 2025, the Next-Gen GST Reform is further removing friction, cutting costs, and, most importantly, directly impacting the middle class. → Essentials like wheat, rice, medicines, children’s books taxed at just 0–5% → Consumer durables like TVs, fridges, washing machines, soaps down to 18% (from earlier highs of 28–31%) → Housing materials like cement reduced from ~29% to 18% → Entertainment like movie tickets have taxes halved I can’t help but think of my student days at IIT, when every rupee mattered. Something as simple as watching a movie or splitting the cost of a pizza felt heavier. Budgets were tight, and any unexpected expense or “extra charge” could throw off monthly planning. Imagine taxes inflating those bills. Lower taxes on essentials and leisure aren’t just an economic reform; they’re a lifestyle shift. Families save more, students and young professionals find life affordable, and MSMEs finally get clarity to focus on growth. It’s easy to look at Next Gen GST as a tax policy update. But for me, it’s a broader statement: simplification drives trust. And when consumers trust pricing, they spend more confidently. Out of all these changes, which one do you think will impact your life the most? #NextGenGST #IndiaGrowthStory #EaseOfDoingBusiness #MiddleClass

Inflation isn’t gender-neutral. My research shows the current inflation rate for goods marketed to women — like footwear and apparel — is 177% higher than for goods marketed to men. Layer that onto the 233,000 Black women missing from the labor force and you see the double bind: women are earning less and paying more. That’s not an accident of the market. It’s a structural issue driven, in part, by the gender tariff gap, which applies different import taxes depending on whether an item is labeled “men’s” or “women’s.” If we don’t contextualize price shifts through an equity lens, we mistake instability for stability — and women pay the price. I break it down in new monthly round up for the Design Observer that looks at the economic news through the lens of gender equity. #GenderEconomics #EquityByDesign #FutureOfWork #Inflation #TariffGap #GenderGap Ellen McGirt Delaney Rebernik

The latest Ghost Market report from Amboy Street Ventures uncovers a $360 billion gap in women’s and sexual health—a sector ripe for innovation and investment. This report identifies 40 critical unmet needs across areas like menopause, sexual health, healthy aging, menstruation, contraception, LGBTQ health, maternal health, and fertility, highlighting the urgent demand for innovation where the status quo is failing. Despite this vast opportunity, only 0.5% of current venture capital funding is allocated to women’s health, while healthcare at large receives 30%. This disparity underscores the need for increased capital and resources to address the significant gaps in women’s health research and services. Compounding this issue is the longstanding underrepresentation of women in medical research. Historically, clinical trials have predominantly included male subjects. This imbalance has led to significant knowledge gaps regarding women’s health. The Ghost Market outlines the significant market opportunities in women’s health and emphasizes the importance of closing both the investment and data gaps. By fostering inclusive research practices and investing in these underfunded areas, we can unlock better healthcare solutions and drive innovation where it’s needed most. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gj5JxMX7

"Gender is built into how prices are taxed and structured. The current inflation rate for goods marketed to women — like footwear and apparel — is 177% higher on average than for those marketed to men.... And for Black women, who earn just $0.64 for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men, the math is stark... they have 36% less coming in and face nearly triple the inflation on essentials going out. That’s not a gap. That’s an economic trap.... Every 1-point drop in women’s labor force participation costs the U.S. economy an estimated $146 billion in lost GDP.... For decades, the public sector has served as a lifeline for Black women shut out of opportunity elsewhere in the economy. Black women make up over 12% of the federal workforce — almost double their share of the labor force overall. In just 3 months, nearly 300,000 Black women left the U.S. labor force. Their labor force participation rate has now dropped below that of Latinas for the 1st time in over a year. And more than 518,000 Black women still haven’t returned to the labor force since the pandemic began, leaving their real unemployment rate just above 10%.... More than 51% of Black households with children are led by breadwinner mothers, many of whom are the sole source of income in their homes. When these women are pushed out of the workforce, entire families lose their economic foothold, threatening housing stability, consumer spending and educational outcomes for children. These are not isolated setbacks — they are systemic losses." - Katica Roy, MSNBC #Business #Work #Jobs #Talent #Technology #Innovation #Economy #Money #CultureOfMoney

The iconic insurance tagline "Sar utha ke jiyo" once symbolized dignity and security. But today, rising medical costs, growing claim disputes, and escalating premiums are making policyholders question the value of insurance. A recent LocalCircles survey, covering over 100,000 people, revealed that nearly 50% of health insurance claimants faced issues such as rejections or long delays. Disillusioned by poor claim experiences and affordability concerns, many are reducing coverage or abandoning policies altogether. IRDAI data highlights a troubling trend—claim rejections in FY24 rose to ₹26,000 crore, up 19% from the previous year. While insurers and hospitals are mandated to process cashless discharges within an hour, 60% of patients reportedly waited 6–48 hours. Errors in paperwork, missed disclosures, and lack of documentation are key reasons for claim denials. Young, healthy individuals are increasingly opting out, while the elderly face soaring premiums compounded by an 18% GST, making insurance feel like a luxury. Experts argue that this tax—especially on essential policies like health and term insurance—is a major deterrent. There are growing calls to either exempt these policies from GST or reduce it to 5%, similar to global practices. IRDAI’s grievance data reveals over two-thirds of non-life insurance complaints stem from claims issues. Even life insurance saw over ₹1,000 crore in rejected claims due to basic documentation lapses. Until premiums become more affordable, claims more transparent, and taxes more rational, India’s insurance safety net may continue to unravel—leaving consumers reliant once again on personal savings for security. #policyholder #Healthinsurance #claimrejections #claimdelays #trust #risingpremiums https://lnkd.in/dbbcj6_k

𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲? Climate change is reshaping the assumptions #insurance has relied on for centuries and with that comes both challenges and opportunities. This article explores how rising climate risks are influencing insurance markets built on historical risk models. Key points: ▪️    Climate risks are growing faster and more interconnected, challenging traditional assumptions ▪️   Coverage, premiums, and limits are adapting to these changes ▪️   Innovations like parametric insurance and risk-transfer tools are offering possibilities 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 While the article focuses on property & casualty insurance, these trends extend across all lines. Life and health insurers are also adapting: 🔹 Climate change is influencing mortality, morbidity, and long-term health risks, shaping underwriting, pricing, and reserves. 🔹Actuarial models are evolving to better incorporate climate-driven trends and support innovative insurance solutions. 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 ❇️ Integrating climate insights into all insurance products creates more resilient coverage ❇️ New risk-transfer mechanisms and parametric solutions make insurance more accessible and responsive ❇️ Collaboration with brokers, regulators, and public institutions ensures insurance remains reliable and relevant Insurance is ultimately about protection and recovery. For individuals, businesses, and governments, the evolving landscape highlights the need to plan ahead, invest in #resilience, and make informed decisions, helping people and assets recover faster from unexpected losses and keeping communities prepared and resilient. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dCJ28Yjq #sustainability #climateaction #adaptation

AI is revolutionizing email marketing, opening doors to highly specific, niche solutions. Here’s where it’s set to shine: Micro-Segmentation: Use AI to group audiences by subtle behaviors, enabling hyper-personalized campaigns and behavioral triggers. Mood Detection: Leverage sentiment analysis to tailor email tone and timing based on real-time audience feelings. Proactive Retention: Predict churn and send automated win-back campaigns to re-engage at-risk customers. Accessibility: AI ensures inclusivity with automated alt text and screen reader optimizations. Intent Prediction: Deliver pre-sales content aligned with user actions, improving conversions. Zero-Party Data: AI-enhanced surveys encourage users to share data willingly for precise personalization. Compliance Automation: Manage GDPR and CAN-SPAM requirements with AI-driven consent tracking and privacy alerts. Real-Time Personalization: Update email content dynamically post-send, like weather-based recommendations. Feedback Integration: Use real-time customer feedback to refine email strategies and drive sentiment-based retargeting. Journey Builder: Map adaptive email journeys that change based on user behavior, ensuring hyper-relevance. 2025 is set to redefine email marketing with these AI-driven solutions. Want to stay ahead? Contact Prospect Engine to unlock your email marketing potential with cutting-edge strategies. #EmailMarketing #AIMarketing #DigitalStrategy

When we talk about economic reforms, most discussions remain confined to policy corridors and financial jargon. But some reforms touch the lives of common people in the most visible way—this is exactly what GST 2.0 has done. Just look at the numbers: 🔹 Maruti Suzuki sold 30,000 cars in a single day 🔹 Hyundai sold 11,000 cars 🔹 Tata Motors sold 10,000 cars This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a testimony to how a well-crafted policy can transform consumer confidence and industrial growth overnight. Why is this important? 1️⃣ Affordability: Rationalisation of GST has made cars more accessible for the middle class. A family that once postponed their dream of buying a car can now step into a showroom with confidence. 2️⃣ Boost to Manufacturing: With demand surging, automobile plants are buzzing, generating employment across supply chains—from factory floors to dealerships. 3️⃣ Economic Ripple Effect: More car sales mean higher steel demand, more ancillary jobs, stronger logistics, and a push for credit growth through auto loans. 4️⃣ National Pride: Homegrown giants like Tata Motors competing alongside global brands proves that Indian innovation is ready to lead the future of mobility. Beyond Cars – A Symbol of Aspirations For decades, owning a car in India has been more than just transport—it is a milestone of dignity, progress, and aspiration. GST 2.0 has reignited that dream for millions of families. This surge is not merely about numbers—it is about trust in the Indian economy, confidence in governance, and the hope of a brighter future where policies work for the people. As India accelerates towards becoming a $5 trillion economy, GST 2.0 stands as a reminder that reforms done right create ripples of prosperity across every household. The road ahead looks promising—and it’s filled with more Indian families driving their dreams home. #GST2 #EconomicGrowth #AutomobileIndustry #IndiaRising #MarutiSuzuki #Hyundai #TataMotors #PolicyImpact #MakeInIndia

Lots of research has looked at whether more gender diversity increases firm performance, but David Daniels, PhD Jen Dannals Thomas Lys Margaret A. Neale look at whether investors “reward” firms with greater gender diversity through higher stock valuations. The claim is that new (emphasis on NEW) information about firms’ diversity numbers can cause changes in how firms are valued by investors, with real financial ramifications. To first show this effect, they focus on two collective disclosure “events”: technology firms that released their own diversity metrics after Google’s revolutionary initial report (between May 2014 and December 2018) and financial services firms that had their gender diversity data reported in a bombshell Financial Times article released on April 4, 2017. They looked specifically at stock prices of the firms one day after the release of this information and find that stock prices increased in response to reports that indicated that a firm had higher gender diversity. They find that “if a technology firm’s initial diversity report had revealed gender diversity numbers that were one percentage point higher, its market valuation would have increased by approximately $152 million.” Investors’ responses to financial service firms’ data were similar, although the impact was not as strong as for technology firms. But do we know that the impact is CAUSED by the revelation of gender diversity data? To address this, the researchers conducted studies on participants with investment experience and endowed them with $1. They then gave them information about a deidentified firm (Gamma Corp) that was, in fact, matched to a real firm from the sample above. To keep things simple, participants were told that the firm either had above average numbers of women, as compared to their peers in the S&P 500 vs. lower than average numbers of women. Participants were asked to predict whether Gamma Corp’s stock price had increased/decreased in response to this information, and were then given the opportunity to increase their payout by betting on their prediction by giving up some of the $1. Across several studies, participants predict that higher gender diversity results in higher stock prices and will put money behind their prediction. Moreover, the effects are driven by participants’ beliefs that the firm will be more creative, have lower legal risks, and that investment in ethical firms is a morally good thing to do. Turns out, investors think diversity is, in general, a good thing for firms to pursue. As a side note, one might wonder: what counts as diverse enough? In a footnote, the authors report that, as a result of pre-testing, “participants think that ‘above-average’ gender diversity suggests that a firm has about 52% women and 48% men, whereas ‘below-average’ gender diversity suggests that a firm has about 29% women and 71% men.”