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The Salvation Army launches world’s first digital thrift store on Roblox

Thrift shop on Roblox by The Salvation Army, US

US – The Salvation Army is extending its resale model into gaming with the launch of Thrift Score, billed as the world’s first digital thrift store on Roblox. The experience translates the charity’s bricks-and-mortar thrift format into an interactive, shoppable environment aimed at Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers.

Players can browse racks of thrift-inspired digital fashion for their avatars, including creator and brand collaborations, player donations and digital replicas of real Salvation Army items. Limited-edition user-generated content drops from influencers including Preston Arsement (@PrestonPlayz) are also featured.

Integrated into popular Roblox titles such as Seaboard City and Daycare Party, the activation positions resale culture within existing play environments. Proceeds will support The Salvation Army’s rehabilitation and community programmes nationwide.

For businesses, it underlines the need to rethink how pre-loved and resale offerings are presented. By blending entertainment, social engagement and commerce, businesses can appeal to younger consumers who value both sustainability and interactive, community-driven experiences.

Read our report on Rebranding Resale to see how collaborations, re-imagined retail and marketing innovations are reshaping pre-loved fashion.

Strategic opportunity

Re-imagine retail and service spaces as interactive gaming environments, where commerce and play coexist seamlessly. Brands can launch digital thrift stores, resale hubs or collectable marketplaces within popular platforms like Roblox, translating pre-loved and limited-edition products into shoppable, gamified experiences

Lyma builds an integrated operating system for skincare

UK – British medtech company Lyma has launched an AI-powered wellness app that extends its skincare proposition into a fully connected digital ecosystem.

Designed to help users maximise their investments in supplements, laser treatments and skincare, the app brings medical-grade science directly into everyday routines.

At its core is AI face-scanning technology trained on more than three million skin photos, delivering clinical-level scoring across eight skin metrics, including lines, pigmentation, breakouts, pores and sagging. Users can track changes every 30 days, gaining insight into skin health beyond what is visible to the eye.

The platform combines personalised treatment protocols, routine and supplement-tracking, progress photography and expert concierge support. This echoes analysis from our EQ-Beauty report, in which we highlighted the shift towards emotionally intelligent tools that bring personalisation, intuition and expert care into the heart of the consumer journey.

By integrating tools, guidance and feedback into one interface, Lyma is shifting skincare from isolated interventions to a system-led approach, signalling how luxury wellness brands are increasingly building operating systems rather than standalone products.

Lyma, UK

Strategic opportunity

Build ecosystem-led products where hardware, software and services are designed to work together – using AI to drive compliance, personalisation and measurable outcomes

Stat: How Chinese and Indian travellers are driving Asia-Pacific outbound travel

Re-introduce Yourself by Neiman Marcus

Asia-Pacific – A survey of more than 4,000 travellers across China, India, Australia, Japan and South Korea found that Chinese and Indian travellers are driving the region’s next wave of outbound travel growth. They plan an average of 3.2–3.5 international leisure trips over the next 12 months, well above the 1.9–2.3 trips expected by Australians, Japanese and South Koreans.

Spending intentions also vary considerably. Chinese travellers report the highest expected mean spending, at £5,748 ($7,748, €6,578) per trip, followed by Australians at £5,285 ($7,124, €6,049) and Indians at £3,823 ($5,154, €4,376). Premium-cabin usage is high in growth markets, with 38% of Indian travellers and 33% of Chinese travellers having flown business or first class in the past year, highlighting a willingness to invest in comfort and experience.

In terms of travel motivations, 61% of Chinese travellers cite food as a key driver, while Indians rank highest across nearly all motivators, including adventure at 52%. By contrast, Japanese and South Korean travellers gravitate towards rest and relaxation.

The region is mobile-first, with 90% of Chinese, 88% of Indian and 81% of South Korean consumers planning trips via mobile. India leads in AI-powered travel inspiration, with half of respondents using AI tools.

As highlighted in our recent Travel & Hospitality macrotrend, Optimised Odysseys, travellers are tailoring their trips through personalised and participatory experiences – whether AI-driven planning, culinary adventures or nature-first thrills.

Strategic opportunity

Brands must recognise that a single travel narrative won’t resonate across markets. Instead, success depends on nuanced, market-specific strategies that reflect differing motivations, spending power and digital behaviours