Latest news with #economicanxiety
South China Morning Post
15-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Anwar's big surprise? Malaysians sceptical over ‘tribute' teaser post
A cryptic promise from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has become the latest lightning rod for Malaysia 's restless public, whose patience is wearing thin after months of new taxes, political scandals and economic anxiety. Late on Monday, Anwar posted a stylised silhouette and the words Akan Datang (Coming Soon) across his social media accounts, promising a special gesture of 'extraordinary' appreciation for all Malaysians. The post, which was met with widespread derision, appeared just hours after nearly 1,000 lawyers had marched to the prime minister's office in Putrajaya, protesting alleged government meddling in judicial appointments. Malaysia's digital town square fired back with its trademark blend of wit and scepticism. Comments flooded in, many laced with biting humour about the government's recent expansion of taxes on goods and services , which came into force on July 1. The social media post shared by Anwar late on Monday. The central text reads 'Coming Soon: an extraordinary tribute to the people of Malaysia'. Photo: X/AnwarIbrahim
South China Morning Post
15-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
What's Anwar's big surprise? Malaysians dread more taxes – or a pardon for Najib
A cryptic promise from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has become the latest lightning rod for Malaysia 's restless public, whose patience is wearing thin after months of new taxes, political scandals and economic anxiety. Late on Monday, Anwar posted a stylised silhouette and the words Akan Datang (Coming Soon) across his social media accounts, promising a special gesture of 'extraordinary' appreciation for all Malaysians. The post, which was met with widespread derision, appeared just hours after nearly 1,000 lawyers had marched to the prime minister's office in Putrajaya, protesting alleged government meddling in judicial appointments. Malaysia's digital town square fired back with its trademark blend of wit and scepticism. Comments flooded in, many laced with biting humour about the government's recent expansion of taxes on goods and services , which came into force on July 1. The social media post shared by Anwar late on Monday. The central text reads 'Coming Soon: an extraordinary tribute to the people of Malaysia'. Photo: X/AnwarIbrahim
The Guardian
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
People in the US: are you delaying major life decisions under Trump's presidency?
As Donald Trump approaches six months in office as president, his administration's agenda has shaken every corner of US life. According to research from Harris Poll, Americans are reconsidering major life events including marriage, having children and buying a home amid economic anxiety under the Trump administration. Six in 10 Americans said the economy had affected at least one of their major life goals, citing either lack of affordability or anxiety around the current economy. We want to hear from you. Have you been delaying major life decisions amid economic and political anxieties? When did things begin to feel destabilized? What effect in particular has delaying life decisions had on your household? You can tell us if you are delaying any major life decisions and your reasons why by filling in the form below. Please be as specific as possible. Please include as much detail as possible. Please be as specific as possible. Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you include other people's names please ask them first. If you're having trouble using the form click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here.
The Guardian
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
People in the US: are you delaying major life decisions?
As Donald Trump approaches six months in office as president, his administration's agenda has shaken every corner of US life. According to research from Harris Poll, Americans are reconsidering major life events including marriage, having children and buying a home amid economic anxiety under the Trump administration. Six in 10 Americans said the economy has affected at least one of their major life goals, citing either lack of affordability or anxiety around the current economy. We want to hear from you. Have you been delaying major life decisions amid economic and political anxieties? When did things begin to feel destabilized? What affect in particular has delaying life decisions had on your household? You can tell us if you are delaying any major life decisions and your reasons why by filling in the form below. Please be as specific as possible. Please include as much detail as possible. Please be as specific as possible. Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you include other people's names please ask them first. If you're having trouble using the form click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here.
Forbes
02-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Consumers Are Bracing For An Economic Storm. Are Brands Listening?
Rebecca Brooks is Founder and CEO of market research consultancy Alter Agents; she believes that powerful insights can change businesses. Over the past several months, economic anxiety has gone from background noise to the main event. Whether you're catching up with friends, chatting on the sidelines of a kids' game or tuning in to the news, conversations about inflation, tariffs and looming financial strain are everywhere. But for all the punditry and forecasting, there's a key voice that's often missing from the discussion: the everyday shopper. At Alter Agents, we've spent more than a decade digging into how and why people make purchasing decisions. Our latest research, conducted in May 2025, highlights a key finding that may not be welcome news for many brands: Shoppers aren't just worried, but also already taking action. Consumers Are Already Making Tough Choices It's not just about skipping the extra latte in the morning. A full 24% of Americans are changing their habits and cutting back on essentials such as utilities. This shift goes beyond a small, symbolic change, and instead represents a direct hit to comfort and convenience. One in 5 is postponing or canceling a vacation. Another 25% say they're delaying major purchases like cars and electronics. These are meaningful lifestyle changes, already underway even before many of the new economic policies took full effect. We're also seeing a shift in how shoppers define value. Forty percent plan to increase their use of loyalty programs that offer discounts. Thirty-six percent are leaning more on cashback offers, and 31% say they'll prioritize credit cards with rewards. For many, loyalty now hinges on tangible returns. In short, Americans are embracing austerity. It's my feeling that after 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis, a global pandemic, and now the potential for war, we are no longer seeing people react to things with simple belt-tightening. They are seeking to make more substantial, lasting lifestyle changes. I believe the pandemic jolted people off the traditional path of consumerism, prompting us all to rethink how we spend our money and time. This was a primer for more drastic changes when finances get challenging. With loyalty benefits already embedded in shopping habits, it's natural for consumers to lean on them more heavily as a built-in pressure valve during tough financial times. Trust Is Eroding, And Brands Have An Opening Meanwhile, trust in institutions is sliding. Compared to a similar study we conducted last year, trust in the federal government has dropped from 38% to 29%. Local government trust has slipped by 10 points. This erosion of faith in traditional authority figures creates a void, and brands have an opportunity to fill it by showing up consistently, with empathy and by offering genuine support. Companies that maintain their focus on quarterly earnings and shareholder calls will find that their customers are operating on entirely different timelines and priorities. I've been studying consumer behavior for decades, and I've seen how at odds consumer thinking and shareholder goals really are. As trust in other institutions declines, some are looking for brands to be present and show a deep understanding of what it feels like to navigate rising prices and uncertainty. Uncovering consumer insights and using that data to demonstrate the value of building customer relationships will outlast economic ups and downs. Four Ways Brands Can Respond With Empathy And Value So what should companies do? • Rethink loyalty as reciprocity. If your loyalty program isn't offering immediate, recognizable value (discounts, cashback, helpful perks), it's not working. People need real reasons to stay that will help to lighten the burden of today's economy. • Don't ignore the basics. Help your customers do more with less. That could mean flexible payment options, bundling, transparent pricing or simple reassurance that you see what they're going through. • Communicate with empathy, not polish. In times of uncertainty, overly optimistic brand messages can feel tone-deaf. Replace 'We're excited' with 'We're here.' • Watch behavior, not just sentiment. Traditional metrics will lag behind. Don't wait for sentiment to shift—respond to the real choices people are already making. Consumers are hunkering down. We'll be tracking this story as it unfolds, but one thing is already clear: The economic storm is personal, and brands must take thoughtful, deliberate steps toward understanding their audiences. Forbes Agency Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. Do I qualify?
