Need to Know   06 : 12 : 17
The Roastery by Starbucks, Shanghai

Need to Know
06 : 12 : 17

In today’s daily digest: Facebook’s Messenger for kids, Patagonia commits to a new cause, Millennials search for their inner glow, and other stories.

1. Starbucks opens a new roastery in Shanghai 2. Facebook introduces a safe version of Messenger for kids 3. People think profitable brands don’t contribute to society 4. Patagonia fights assault on public monuments 5. US women take a more holistic approach to beauty 6. Thought-starter: What can brands learn from The KLF?

1. Starbucks opens a new roastery in Shanghai

The Roastery by Starbucks, Shanghai The Roastery by Starbucks, Shanghai
The Roastery by Starbucks, Shanghai The Roastery by Starbucks, Shanghai
The Roastery by Starbucks, Shanghai The Roastery by Starbucks, Shanghai
The Roastery by Starbucks, Shanghai The Roastery by Starbucks, Shanghai

China – Starbucks has opened a new flagship coffee shop in Shanghai that taps into the increasing interest in coffee consumption in what has traditionally been a tea-drinking nation. The Roastery, which opened on 4 December, will offer tastings and talks to help inspire fans of the drink, while an augmented reality (AR) app lets visitors gain further insight into the brewing process by pointing at various objects in the space, such as a central copper roasting cask.

The 30,000 square feet of space marks Starbucks’ largest coffee shop to date, demonstrating the brand’s investment in what is its fastest-growing market, eclipsing even the US. Download our report for more on the changes occurring globally in the food and drink sectors.

2. Facebook introduces a safe version of Messenger for kids

Messenger Kids by Facebook, US

US – Messenger Kids, the new chat app for children aged 6–12, does not require a Facebook account but instead runs through their parents’ accounts, allowing them to oversee their children’s activity and to control who is able to contact them. According to US law, it is illegal for children under the age of 13 to sign up for a Facebook account, but this initiative makes it possible for Facebook to introduce children to the brand's messaging and video chatting features at an earlier stage, and therefore to build brand recognition among this demographic.

The app, which is ad-free and has no in-app purchases available, has been designed to conform to the US Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act. Brands need to consider new formats for apps tailored to the next generation of social media users.

3. People think profitable brands don’t contribute to society

US – A new study by Harvard Business Review shows that the US public widely believe that profitable businesses are incapable of also being civically minded.

The survey interviewed members of the public on the societal contribution of 40 familiar Fortune 500 firms, with companies such as JP Morgan, McDonald’s and Visa scoring highly on perceived profit and low on perceived societal value score.

Brands such as the bookseller Barnes & Noble, Footlocker and Western Union scored much closer to the zero profit end of the scale and were ranked highly as important and useful. In line with Civic Brands, companies need to consider how they can add real value to society, as opposed to focusing purely on profitability.

Beyond – The Veuve Clicquot Journey by Fabrica Beyond – The Veuve Clicquot Journey by Fabrica

4. Patagonia fights assault on public monuments

Protect Public Lands by Patagonia, US Protect Public Lands by Patagonia, US

US – Having earlier this year announced its decision to fight the sale of public land in Utah for gas and oil, outdoor clothing retailer Patagonia is showing its commitment to the cause by pursuing a potential lawsuit against the Trump administration. The brand will fight the sale of Bears Ears National Monument, an area that contains the highest density of cultural resources.

'In an illegal move, the president just reduced the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments,' reads the company's website, linking to a sign-up page where visitors can tweet the administration directly. As explored in the Sanctuary Spaces section in our Civic Brands macrotrend, in a world increasingly characterised by uncertainty and unrest, brands are becoming integral in protecting consumers’ political, environmental and cultural interests.

5. US women take a more holistic approach to beauty

There is an increasing realisation among consumers that beauty goes beyond mere cosmetics and topical skincare, with many now embracing supplements and other consumables as a way of enhancing their beauty routine. In line with this approach, a recent study found that younger Millennials are more likely to view a healthy diet and regular intake of supplements as ways to achieve better skin.

6. Thought-starter: What can brands learn from The KLF?

UK electronic band The KLF are renowned for their stunts, which have built them a cult following chasing their next unexpected appearance. But is this just highly effective marketing? Senior writer Kathryn Bishop shares her experience.

On 23 November, The KLF assembled 99 fans, drawn at random, to be part of an evening known only as Burn the Shard. Gathering in London’s Hackney, the 99 were immersed in a world of storytelling based on a new book released in August by the band’s founders Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty.

With a cult-like presence, they took the group on a tour of east London, through housing estates and pubs, and gave them live theatrical performances on the street before they were eventually instructed to stick a series of posters to a wall advertising the book.

Was this all in the name of marketing, or does it demonstrate a higher and more engaging level of brand co-creation?

For more, read the full Opinion here.

Owned by No One by Robin Alysha Clemens, the Netherlands Owned by No One by Robin Alysha Clemens, the Netherlands
Discover More News
Lancôme opens luxury retreat space and cafe in Doha airport

News

Lancôme opens luxury retreat space and cafe in Doha airport

Lancôme has unveiled Café de la Rose inside Doha’s Hamad International Airport, its first travel retail café and only the second globally.
Retail : Beauty : Travel
Foresight Friday: Rose Coffey, senior foresight analyst

News

Foresight Friday: Rose Coffey, senior foresight analyst

Every Friday, The Future Laboratory team offers an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, ...
Foresight Friday : Fashion : Beauty
Stat: Americans turn to travel to connect with loved ones

News

Stat: Americans turn to travel to connect with loved ones

A new survey from Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection reveals Americans are craving more meaningful time with loved ones, and travel is emerging as a key ...
Travel : Statistic : Optimised Odysseys
Toyota opens Woven City as a living lab for future lifestyles

News

Toyota opens Woven City as a living lab for future lifestyles

Toyota has opened its experimental Woven City at the base of Mount Fuji, creating a testbed where residents live alongside prototypes of emerging t...
Technology : Design : Toyota
Stella McCartney launches luxury live-stream shopping platform

News

Stella McCartney launches luxury live-stream shopping platform

Stella McCartney has introduced Shop With Stella, an interactive shopping event co-hosted by actor Eva Mendes and powered by Swedish video commerce...
Retail : Luxury : Livestream
Stat: The fashion industry’s hottest climate risk is factory workers’ health

News

Stat: The fashion industry’s hottest climate risk is factory workers’ health

A September 2025 report by the Fashion Revolution movement reveals that the fashion industry is failing to measure dangerous factory temperatures, ...
Fashion : Sustainability : Stat
Claude’s Keep Thinking campaign positions AI agent as problem-solving tool

News

Claude’s Keep Thinking campaign positions AI agent as problem-solving tool

In a new campaign entitled Keep Thinking, AI agent Claude is framed as the go-to tool for problem-solvers.
AI : Co-creation : Campaign
Mulberry accelerates growth with circular exchange initiatives

News

Mulberry accelerates growth with circular exchange initiatives

Mulberry has published its 2024/2025 Impact Report, highlighting major progress in circularity and regenerative design.
Mulberry : Luxury : Fashion
Stat: Empathy emerges as the ultimate business advantage

News

Stat: Empathy emerges as the ultimate business advantage

A study from Zurich Insurance released in September 2025 shows that consumers reward businesses that demonstrate empathy while punishing those that...
Retail : Society : Statistic
Blackdot’s AI tattoo device aims to make ink safer, smarter and less painful

News

Blackdot’s AI tattoo device aims to make ink safer, smarter and less painful

Austin-based start-up Blackdot has developed an AI-powered tattoo device designed to make tattoos faster, more precise and significantly less painf...
AI : Blackdot : Tattooed
You have 1 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN