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The findings: One quarter of Gen Zers in the UK have multiple bank accounts but only use one regularly, according to a recent study by Intuit Credit Karma. What this means for banks: Account-opening incentives are working, and FIs should continue to offer them to boost customer acquisition. However, they should also add parameters that require customers to remain active banking users or keep accounts for a certain period of time in order to qualify. The real win for banks is converting customers into primary users following the sign-up bonus. This requires a shift in strategy from acquisition to engagement. Banks must build a digital experience so valuable that Gen Zers use their accounts regularly even after the initial bonus has been spent. This means focusing on things that matter to them: Superior digital experience: A seamless, intuitive, and fast app is nonnegotiable. Clunky interfaces or slow load times will send them straight to a competitor. Personalized value: Offer tools that help them manage their money better, such as AI-powered insights, easy budgeting features, and integrated saving goals.

In-store retail media is Europe鈥檚 next big ad opportunity. But as retailers digitize stores, standardization and measurement challenges are dragging advertiser adoption.

The news: Revolut is exploring paths that can help it expand in the US banking industry. The company recently held talks with investment bankers about hiring them to advise on a potential bank acquisition, per Bloomberg. What it means for banks: Nationally chartered banks could see more interest from fintechs or international firms that want to follow Revolut鈥檚 path. And more licensed banks means more competitors鈥攁rmed with not only the agility and digital innovation of a fintech, but also the physical footprint of the banks they鈥檙e acquiring. To combat the threat, banks will need to double down on their biggest strengths, including longstanding reputations, customer-centricity, and the personalized products and services that customers want most, like those we highlight in our 鈥淯S Mobile Banking Emerging Features Benchmark 2025鈥� report.

TikTok鈥檚 2024 revenues in the UK, Europe, and Latin America surged 38% to $6.3 billion, more than doubling 2022 levels, per filings cited by Forbes. The growth underscores TikTok鈥檚 strength outside the US, where a divest-or-ban standoff continues. Yet regulatory scrutiny in Europe looms large, with over $1 billion reserved for fines, ongoing probes across multiple countries, and potential penalties under the EU鈥檚 Digital Services Act. TikTok鈥檚 UK penetration tops 32%, with ad revenues projected to triple by 2027. Still, layoffs in trust and safety roles and a pivot to AI moderation could test regulators and user trust.

This report analyzes how digital adoption and evolving consumer habits are reshaping South Korea鈥檚 retail, media, and payments landscape.

TikTok is laying off hundreds of UK staff as it shifts moderation to AI, with more than 85% of takedowns now automated. The cuts, part of a global restructuring, come as the UK鈥檚 Online Safety Act pressures platforms to strengthen oversight. Industry peers are also pivoting鈥擬eta and X have scaled back fact-checking while Reddit, Pinterest, and Snapchat adopt varying models of control. Yet user sentiment runs counter: Most want more human oversight, not less, with strong demand for fact-checkers, privacy, and quality control. The divergence raises brand-safety questions as advertisers weigh cost efficiencies against consumer trust.

Europe's digital market will reach $135 billion this year, driven largely by Western Europe. The fastest growth exists in countries where digital spend is reaching parity with traditional.鈥�

The news: Many marketers and salespeople doubt AI鈥檚 ability to boost company revenues or customer satisfaction. Some even believe it adds to their workload, signaling a disconnect between AI adoption and employee confidence. Only 39% of marketers and sales professionals in the US and UK are confident that their departments鈥� use of AI drives revenues, per General Assembly鈥檚 AI in Marketing & Sales report. Nearly half (46%) believe AI only somewhat improves the customer experience or doesn鈥檛 at all. Our take: Organizations that prioritize tailored training and tie outcomes to KPIs like team efficiency and customer satisfaction could help employees feel empowered and translate AI investments into measurable impact.

As the creator economy continues to expand, consumer attention is further fragmenting across a growing number of creators and platforms. But revenues are increasingly consolidating into top names, squeezing the long tail of creators and other creator economy stakeholders.

The news: American Express renewed its partnerships with AEG, expanding Amex鈥檚 rewards reach over venues, festivals, tours, ticketing, and sports. Our take: Amex鈥檚 dedication to building the breadth and depth of its luxury offerings allows it to maintain its premium branding against competitors like the Chase Sapphire Reserve鈥檚 offerings like Chase Experiences

The news: WPP has taken another hit in earnings, underscoring the current unstable market defined by economic uncertainty.Profits dropped 71% pre-tax in the first half of the company鈥檚 financial year, falling to 拢98 million ($125.2 million), while operating profit fell nearly half (47.8%), reaching 拢221 million ($282.3 million). Our take: WPP鈥檚 profit plunge serves as a wake-up call for agencies to accelerate transformation and prove value beyond media buying. In an AI-dominated landscape, advertisers are demanding more for less.

The news: British fintech Revolut is reportedly considering acquiring a US bank to rapidly obtain a US banking license, enabling faster expansion, per The Financial Times. It will likely target a low-cost, nationally chartered bank. Our take: Revolut鈥檚 potential acquisition of a US bank reflects a growing trend of successful fintechs becoming banks themselves through strategic acquisition rather than merely being disruptors. PYMNTS reported that multiple fintechs鈥攊ncluding Wise, Circle, and Ripple鈥攁lso recently applied for banking licenses with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. This means banks must lean into what differentiates them from the growing competition beyond charters and insured deposits, like long-standing reputations, excellent customer service, and customer-centric products and services.

The news: Netflix is dialing up its global ad game, with its latest UK hire signaling what鈥檚 to come next for the streaming giant. The company hired Ed Couchman, who previously served as the head of advertising sales for Spotify鈥檚 UK and Northern Europe business, to spearhead UK ad sales, per Business Insider. Couchman has served in ad sales roles at Meta, Snap, and Channel 4 in the past. Our take: Hiring Couchman is a critical step in shifting Netflix鈥檚 ad focus from the US market to reach foreign advertisers who haven鈥檛 taken advantage of its broad reach.

The news: The UK鈥檚 Online Safety Act triggered an immediate surge in virtual private network (VPN) downloads, reflecting public resistance to mandatory age checks, per Wired. Proton VPN reported a 1,400% spike in UK sign-ups after the law took effect, per PCMag, and NordVPN saw purchases jump 1,000%. Our take: Age-check laws, though designed to protect minors, are reshaping how all users interact with content鈥攁nd how marketers can access these users. VPN adoption is both a privacy signal and a marketing blind spot. Brands that respect digital autonomy while adapting strategy will be best positioned to reach鈥攁nd keep鈥攖heir audience.

Ecommerce growth is slowing as the market matures, but gains will come from mobile commerce, Gen Z buyers, and high-performing categories.

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