UK – Inspired by fertility-tracking apps, multi-disciplinary design agency Morrama and its research arm Morrama Labs just launched Luma, a smartwatch app that collects data from someone going through the menopause. The company will use the information to tailor the balance of ingredients in its ‘magic compound’ before 3D-printing it into a monthly batch of pills and shipping the treatment out in sustainable packaging.

Luma tracks physical changes in temperature, heart rate, stress and sleep levels to help assess whether ‘the user has had a particularly tough day’, said founder and creative director of Morrama, Jo Barnard, in a statement. She added: ‘This data capture helps build a much broader picture of a woman’s journey and will help brands identify patterns that can help unlock new ways of managing menopause.’

In Tech-powered Perimenopause, we previously highlighted how the femtech industry is expanding to cater for later life stages, including AI-driven solutions like Luma that will empower individuals with better choice and transparency as they approach the perimenopause.

US – The founders of cult fitness brand SoulCycle have launched Peoplehood, a new social wellness club. Described as a ‘neighbourhood centre for the soul’, the club offers first-of-its-kind guided 60-minute group conversations called Gathers. Led by Guides, the digital and real-life sessions aim to give members time and space to think about their life, and improve their relationships with themselves and others (members can attend solo or with their partner).

Peoplehood also has a flagship location in New York that offers a range of activities, including fitness classes, meditation sessions, cultural events and community service opportunities.

‘In a world that is more digitally connected than ever, there’s a human connection crisis, and studies show healthy relationships are the number one way to improve our overall physical and mental health,’ says Peoplehood co-founder Elizabeth Cutler.

In Retail Therapy, we highlighted how businesses and brands have leaned into mental healthcare to de-stigmatise and create productive conversations around mental health. Peoplehood is joining this movement, encouraging consumers to connect more fully with themselves while experiencing enriching retail experiences.

Global – B2Bs don’t want B2Cs having all the metaverse fun, according to a recent survey conducted by Wunderman Thompson Commerce & Technology.

The New York-based marketing agency’s new B2B Future Shopper report found that 67% of B2B buyers want to conduct their online buying via an avatar in the metaverse. Some 68% expect to increase their use of digital channels for purchases. But many are frustrated with the current methods of B2B buying online, with 45% saying it is more complicated than buying offline. The study also revealed that 51% of B2B buyers sellers don’t understand the friction points in the current online buying process.

‘Just like regular consumers, B2B buyers want a more immersive, omnichannel experience and the same attention that is often afforded to B2C shoppers,’ says Hugh Fletcher, global head of consultancy and innovation at Wunderman Thompson Commerce & Technology.

We’ve spoken about the metaverse’s promise as a more engaged space for organisations large and small, and work spaces are no exception. In our upcoming Work States Futures macrotrend, we will analyse how work is changing and examine how businesses can meet employees’ needs more intuitively.