LSN : Daily Signals : Why London’s latest urban development is building around independent retail

Cuqui launches print magazine to reconnect teens beyond the algorithm

Coqui Club, 2026

US – New youth media brand Cuqui is launching a monthly print magazine and limited-edition journal aimed at teenagers seeking an alternative to algorithm-led social media. Founded by former editors from titles including Teen Vogue, MTV, Refinery29 and Dazed, the publication will make its debut in January 2027 with 12 issues a year, alongside the Summer 2026 Universe Journal.

Positioning itself as an antidote to doomscrolling, Cuqui says it is creating objects teens can hold, keep and return to rather than reviving print for nostalgia’s sake. ‘I feel like everything is on display, all the time. I just want to exist somewhere that’s not looking at me,’ says reader, 16-year-old Birdie.

Cuqui signals renewed interest in tangible, slower media experiences for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, suggesting physical products and community-led publishing could offer new ways to engage young audiences beyond social media platforms.

To explore this emerging consumer mindset, read our The Tech-Resisters report, which examines how consumers are rejecting algorithmic systems in favour of analogue experiences, intentional friction and greater digital autonomy.

Strategic opportunity

Develop limited-edition, tactile products and offline brand experiences that reward time away from screens, creating emotional attachment, stronger loyalty and scarcity that digital content cannot match

Why London’s latest urban development is building around independent retail

New Acres, Wandsworth, UK

UK – A new residential development in southwest London is offering a blueprint for how large-scale urban housing projects can anchor community through independent retail.

New Acres, a 1,034-home development on the banks of the Thames in Wandsworth, welcomed its first 400 residents in June 2024 and has now entered its final stage of completion. Its 50,000 square feet of commercial space is leased entirely to 36 independent businesses – spanning bookshops, furniture stores, restaurants, wellness clinics and co-working spaces.

With 35% of homes classified as affordable housing, the project is a deliberate counter to chain-led retail. New Acres signals a broader shift in urban development – ground-floor retail is being treated as community infrastructure rather than commercial afterthought, a direct response to hollowed-out high streets and the social deficits of remote working. Our upcoming Neo-Urbanites Communities report delves into how consumers are driving change in cities and reshaping our most populated spaces.

Strategic opportunity

Brands seeking physical expansion should prioritise new residential developments over traditional high streets. As developers increasingly curate independent retail mixes, early entrants can help shape the identity, culture and loyalty of next-gen neighbourhoods

Stat: The consumer impact of the UK’s GLP-1 boom

UK – GLP-1 use is accelerating across Britain, reshaping how millions of people eat, drink, exercise and shop. Research from consultancy firm PwC finds that 5% of UK adults, or nearly 3m people, currently use GLP-1s, while 9% have taken them at some point. By the end of 2027, PwC expects usage to reach 13%, equivalent to about 7m people.

As adoption grows, GLP-1s could become a catalyst for broader market transformation, forcing businesses across food, retail and wellness to rethink product formats, portion sizes, value propositions and the needs of a rapidly emerging consumer group.

In 2024, our Neozempic Futures report spotlighted how widespread GLP-1 usage would affect a range of consumer markets. PwC’s report reflects this. In grocery, spending is shifting from high-fat and high-sugar products to high-protein, nutrient-dense alternatives, with premiumisation offsetting lower volumes. Beyond food, users are investing in a broader wellness stack of products and services designed to support weight loss and long-term maintenance.

Strategic opportunity

Treat GLP-1 users as an emerging consumer cohort, not a niche weight-loss audience. Assess how changing appetites, bodies and routines could reshape demand across categories, from food and fashion to fitness, hospitality and personal care