#consumer-trust

#consumer-trust

All categories are arguably currently witnessing a desire from consumers for the real and tangible. As we enter a new AI-powered age of digital saturation, the physical experience is what matters and cuts through. Research shows younger generations starting to move away from social media, and there's evidence of a more widespread cynicism around digital platforms and services, summed up with the idea of 'enshittification'.

As you browse your social media feeds or check out billboards on a leisurely drive, you might notice a recent phenomenon: Everything seems quite, well, similar. "If you go to the comment section of any viral post right now, all the brands are commenting and they all sound exactly the same," says Rachel Karten, a social media consultant and author of the popular industry newsletter Link In Bio. If you run a business, it's more important than ever to carve out a distinct brand identity-and your brand's voice, or how you express your brand's values, point of view, and attitudes, is key. "Brand voice can be the differentiator when every brand sounds the same," Karten says.

iMAD Research Inc. (https://imad.com), a global market intelligence firm, recently concluded a multi-country study aimed at understanding adoption challenges for smart meter technology in semi-urban and urban business environments. The research revealed critical behavioural insights related to consumer hesitancy, billing trust gaps, and digital readiness among small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Founded in 2017 by Kartik Khanna and Abhishek Soni, iMAD Research Inc. operates across the United States, United Kingdom, and India, with over 2.5 million verified respondents globally.

With so much AI-generated content flooding the internet, a new question has surfaced: Does authenticity still matter? On The Intersect with Cory Corrine, host Cory Corrine digs into this exact topic with Caroline Giegerich, the vice president of AI at the Interactive Advertising Bureau. From AI-generated billboards that leave people unsettled to synthetic influencers gaining millions of followers, the line between what's real and what's not is getting harder to see. But as Giegerich points out, that very confusion might be what makes authentic, human-driven creativity even more valuable than ever.

If I'm buying socks, why do you need to know what I had for lunch? It's not relevant at all. So why collect it?

Hyper-personalization-AI's ability to tailor experiences down to the individual level-has become the new norm. For many consumers, these recommendations feel helpful, convenient, and even delightful. Yet, for others, they provoke discomfort, raising questions about just how much these platforms know about us. This paradox is at the heart of a growing debate: Does hyper-personalization build consumer trust and loyalty, or does it erode them by feeling intrusive? And more importantly, how does it shape our purchase intention?

Back Market, the online refurbished tech marketplace, offers buyers who want to save money on electronics (and reduce e-waste) good-as-new products repaired by experts. Starting today, the retailer has taken the process to its first-ever brick-and-mortar store, where buyers can shop for secondhand phones and laptops in person -- just like at an Apple Store. The company's pilot store opened its doors on Wednesday in New York City's Soho neighborhood, inviting consumers to see and touch repaired devices before buying them.

The survey, which sampled 20,000 people across ten countries (including Germany, France, Poland, the UK, the US, Japan, and India), found that 66 percent of respondents worldwide trust products bearing the "Made in Germany" label. This puts it ahead of Switzerland (in second place with 62 percent) and Japan (third, with 59 percent) in overall consumer confidence. The label influences purchasing decisions positively for 65 percent of respondents, again ahead of Switzerland and Japan, and enjoys a particularly strong reputation for cars and household appliances.

Artificial intelligence is plowing ahead, but it could be setting back the multi-trillion dollar retail sector as humans doubt the authenticity of what they're buying ― and who's trying to sell it to them. Rapid advances in technology mean an army of AI influencers could soon be used to promote serums for acne they never dealt with, and jeans they never had to wiggle into.

As New York's legal weed market matures, consumer expectations are evolving just as fast as the laws themselves. While flashy packaging and catchy names might capture attention, today's consumers want more than hype-they want honesty. In a state navigating a rapidly changing regulatory landscape, cannabis brands that prioritize transparency are emerging as the most trusted and resilient players in the industry.

In today’s ad landscape, brands are faced with a diluted performance marketing approach that struggles to connect with consumers who have become harder to reach.

76% of U.S. consumer marketers who invested in a sports sponsorship in 2024 struggle to calculate the return on that investment (ROI), according to Forrester.

Brands have transformed from symbols of hope and trust to false idols, with a significant disconnect between what they claim and how they operate internally.

American Airlines' CEO Robert Isom criticized AI in airfares for potentially misleading travelers, emphasizing the need for consumer trust. He stated, "This is not about bait and switch. This is not about tricking."

Santander UK is facing backlash from small business owners after introducing charges to business accounts that were guaranteed to be 'free for life', resulting in accusations of broken promises and misleading conduct.

Not all products are created equal, and there's a profound gap between the trust we place in brands and the reality of what's inside their products.

Comcast's Xfinity does not exactly have a great reputation when it comes to telling the truth. For years, the company marketed something called 10G Internet that has no relationship to 4G or 5G.

"The trend of using AI-generated videos for product testimonials might seem innovative, but it risks eroding trust in brand communication and authenticity, ultimately harming customers' perception."

Sharing complaints data could help consumers make more informed choices and encourage better service across the industry.

As marketing teams rush to adopt AI and automation, many overlook a critical foundation: governance.

According to an official FDA announcement on June 6, nearly 2 million dozen egg cartons are being pulled from shelves due to a mass salmonella contamination risk.

When consumer trust erodes due to complacency and missteps, bold private ownership and new leadership can spark a significant corporate turnaround.

In our Google-review and social media led culture, what consumers have to say matters, and their words can either help or harm a business.

To get your emails in the inbox, using best practices like maintaining an up-to-date database, proper authentication, and removing fast unsubscribers is essential.

"This has given me trust issues" - shoppers slam Sainsbury's for Easter egg error

You claimed price increases were due to unavoidable cost hikes, yet your expanding presence and multiple new locations suggest financial health and stability.