Broadmind's Business & Innovation Tracker
How industry giants are leveraging technology and sustainability to redefine market dynamics and enhance consumer engagement.
… in which we dive into the themes of sustainability, immersive technology, and personalized consumer experiences reshaping the innovation landscape.
To start let’s have a think about the feasibility of drone delivery because yesterday we were reading this news from China that there are now coffee deliveries to the Great Wall at Badaling and quick meal deliveries to a university campus in Shanghai. The stories just made us wonder… with one delivery at a time aren’t drones a highly inefficient way to do business? How much do you have to charge a tourist to fly them a coffee to make a real business out of it? Sure, the man might park his Big Brown van on our corner and cause a half mile jam along Lafayette hill - but will a micro-chopper with a single load ever compete with a UPS truck full of boxes and a friendly smile - economically and sustainably?
Let’s stay in tech for a moment and talk Apple. AirPods Max owners have something great to look forward to. Come April, a free software upgrade brings lossless audio, better spatial audio experiences, and ultra-low latency to these headphones. No new hardware needed—just better sound and gaming experiences thanks to a software tweak.
In AI news: Unilever's using AI and 3D tech to completely revamp the way it creates images of beauty products, slashing content creation costs by an impressive 87%. With quicker and cheaper digital visuals, Unilever's driving consumer interest for brands like TRESemmé—part of their ambitious Growth Action Plan for the coming years.
Also Puma says they made an ad completely with AI. We don’t believe it was made end to end by the machine - why would you? - and our community doesn’t believe it’s any good.
Next, Stellantis is tackling an interesting challenge: helping iconic brands like Alfa Romeo go electric without losing what makes them special. Stellantis UK boss Eurig Druce says upcoming electric cars like Alfa Romeo’s Junior EV will have distinctive driving dynamics remain intact, easing consumer fears about electric cars feeling too similar. Probably a smart play, considering a recent survey revealed 63% of UK drivers still aren't ready to make the EV switch.
Elsewhere, Uber’s push towards driverless rides takes another big step forward, now expanding their partnership with Waymo in cities like Phoenix, Austin, and soon Atlanta. Riders will enjoy fully autonomous rides with straightforward fixed pricing and no tipping—signaling Uber’s serious efforts toward affordable autonomous mobility at scale.
In retail, Zara is making waves in Asia with its Nanjing Xinjiekou flagship store. Fully automated garment sorting and advanced omnichannel experiences—not to mention Asia’s first Zacaffè cafe—create a more personalized, seamless shopping journey for customers.
Also, Prada just opened Mi Shang restaurant at Shanghai’s luxurious Rong Zhai mansion, designed together with legendary filmmaker Wong Kar Wai. Inspired by his classic film "In the Mood for Love," Prada’s newest venue brilliantly blends fashion, film culture, and fine dining. Super cool.
In Tokyo, experts say that Samsung’s Galaxy Store brilliantly demonstrates how retail can drive purchasing decisions using powerful "convincer" moments—experiential setups that turn casual browsers into committed buyers, building lasting brand loyalty in the process.
Perfume maker Givaudan recently hosted an immersive fragrance experience they call "Dreamscape" in East Hanover. With multisensory environments tapping into subconscious memories, it's all part of their innovative approach towards keeping consumers connected—and intrigued—by scent.
Lululemon's Like New resale initiative continues to build momentum through clever experiential events—like their recent activation at SXSW, featuring influencer partnerships. It’s a smart, engaging way to promote circular fashion and encourage community trade-ins.
In grocery, Tesco saw an incredible 250% jump in sales of fruit-infused beers, quickly responding to changing consumer tastes. With their data-driven approach powered by Clubcard insights, they've managed to scale trendy craft beer brands like Jubel, turning fruity beers into Britain’s fastest-growing beer category. Pretty smart, right?
Talking data: Mall giant Simon Property Group is putting valuable shopper data to work for tenants, using first-party insights to deliver targeted ads with proven returns. Early trials have already shown solid ROI, proving there’s still plenty of value to unlock in physical retail environments.
And let’s end with this : Ikea Australia taps into pop culture by channeling the aesthetic of Apple TV’s Severance in a breakthrough campaign targeted at remote workers. It's fun, fresh, and completely on-point for the growing work-from-home crowd.
That's all for today's roundup.
