LSN : News : Stat: Co-op’s socio-economic pay gap report shows social mobility remains slow

LG unveils AI-activated Menopause Mode air conditioning units

Menopause Mode campaign by LG

Brazil – LG is beta testing Menopause Mode, a new initiative aimed at alleviating the intense hot flushes experienced by menopausal women. Developed by Brazilian creative agency AlmapBBDO, the feature combines artificial intelligence, ThinQ connectivity technology, smartwatches and LG air conditioning units. With nearly 29m menopausal women in Brazil, one-third of whom suffer from moderate to severe hot flushes, this technology addresses a significant yet often taboo issue.

The innovative app monitors body temperature, heart rate and blood oxygen levels in real time via data provided by a smartwatch. When it detects a hot flush, it signals the LG Dual Inverter +AI air conditioner to rapidly cool the room. After 10 minutes, the unit reverts to the user’s preset temperature.

‘Menopause Mode is taking the smart home to the next level, reacting to the body’s vital signs,’ said Lilian Cavallini, head of creative technology at AlmapBBDO. In Tech-powered Perimenopause, we analysed how the femtech industry is expanding to cater for later women’s life stages, creating AI-driven solutions that will empower individuals with greater choice and transparency as they approach the perimenopause.

Strategic opportunity

Develop AI-powered home environment systems that cater for various health conditions or lifestyle needs, such as menopause, allergy management, asthma or general wellness, by integrating with smart home devices

Monday founder launches inclusive haircare line Being

Being Collection by Monday Haircare and Osāna Naturals, US

US – The team behind Monday Haircare and Osāna Naturals has launched Being, a new affordable haircare line designed for all hair types.

Exclusively available at Walmart, Being features five product families tailored to hair types from 1a to 4c. The formulations use naturally derived, ethically sourced active ingredients and are certified cruelty-free.

Part of the Walmart Start accelerator programme, Being enlisted writer and Texture Diaries founder Akili King, celebrity hairstylist Alyx Liu, Cripple Media founder Emily Flores and beauty creator Shahd Batal, along with a team of trichologists, for its advisory board.

In our Accredited Beauty macrotrend report, we analysed how transparency and proof of efficacy are top beauty consumer priorities. By involving an advisory board in the brand’s development, Being draws both attention and authenticity to its launch.

Building its range of diverse haircare products has also been central to Walmart’s recent retail strategy, something we explored in our Walmart Brand Innovation Debrief.

Strategic opportunity

Establishing an advisory board of community experts and industry professionals can ensure your products meet the real needs and preferences of your target audience, while adding accreditation and authenticity to your brand

Deliveroo teams up with Mob Kitchen to upgrade home cooking

Photography by RF_studio

UK – Food delivery giant Deliveroo has launched a partnership with recipe subscription service Mob Kitchen that aims to streamline the process of home cooking. The collaboration enables consumers to receive ingredients for Mob recipes swiftly, transforming meal preparation into a seamless experience.

Mob Kitchen is renowned for its extensive library of recipes, curated by a diverse group of chefs and home cooks. Subscribers gain access to a vast range of culinary options, allowing them to explore new dishes from the comfort of their kitchens.

Now, with the new Deliveroo x Mob Kitchen initiative, obtaining ingredients for these recipes has never been easier. Consumers can order the necessary items for their selected dishes from the app’s supermarket partners, including Co-op, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Whole Foods Market and more, and have them delivered within 20 minutes.

In a LinkedIn post, Mob Kitchen highlighted the benefits of this collaboration. ‘Alongside creating stunning recipes and highly engaging content, we have created a solution for the time-old conundrum, what should I cook tonight?’. This collaboration aligns with Food Delivery Futures, which reveals the enhanced connection between technology, supermarkets and our kitchens.

Strategic opportunity

Supermarkets and food delivery companies should integrate hyper-personalised recommendations to simplify daily meal choices, tailoring suggestions to customers’ health goals, dietary restrictions and past orders

Stat: Co-op’s socio-economic pay gap report shows social mobility remains slow

Pop Up Grocer, New York, US

UK – The Co-op has made history as the first UK retailer to publish a socio-economic pay gap report, highlighting its commitment to social mobility and support for employees from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The report, based on voluntary data from 57,000 employees, reveals a mean pay gap of 5.2% between colleagues from lower and higher socio-economic backgrounds (SEBs). Those from lower SEBs are also less likely to progress into senior positions than those from professional or higher SEBs.

Collected between April 2023 and April 2024, the data classifies employees based on the main household earner’s occupation when they were 14, as per the Social Mobility Commission’s framework. At present, 72% of Co-op staff have shared their socio-economic data, and the goal is to reach 80% participation in the next year.

Co-op CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq emphasised the report’s significance: ‘By holding ourselves accountable and outlining the steps we will take to address inequality within our business, we hope to inspire long-lasting change at a societal level.’

The company plans to enhance visibility and career development for lower SEB employees and is campaigning for socio-economic background to be recognised as a protected characteristic under the Equality Act.

For more insights on what’s new and next for workplaces, head to our Work States Futures macrotrend report.

Strategic opportunity

Develop tailored career development programmes for employees from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Provide mentorship, training and clear progression paths to enhance their visibility and career opportunities