Need to Know
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UK – Sawai is a newly launched rum brand inspired by South Asian tea-drinking culture and is the latest brand to follow the culturally diverse direction in alcohol trends. Named after the Hindi word for one-and-a-quarter of strength and intelligence, Sawai connects the spices used in traditional Indian Chai teas to those associated with spiced rums.

Sawai uses ethically sourced Assam tea, while the rum’s other all-natural ingredients include cinnamon, cloves, star anise and green cardamon. Sawai’s branding references India’s long tea history with a design that recalls images of 19th-century tea chests and old-school rum barrels, while Hindi is also prominently displayed on much of the drink’s packaging.

Stories of legacy and tradition have long been popular narratives in the spirits sector, but often from a Western viewpoint. Alcohol brands have an opportunity to thrive when they embrace non-Western ingredients and perspectives, and create products that explore diverse heritage.

Paris – For a refresh of its Terminal 1, Charles de Gaulle airport enlisted architects Hugo Toro and Maxime Liautard to create a new luxurious lounge, conducive to stress-free travel and wanderlust.

Passengers travelling through Charles de Gaulle airport can enjoy elevated comfort in the newly refurbished terminal. Designed as a place where time is suspended and everything is synonymous with wellbeing, luxury and an invitation to travel, the lounge is inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s short stories, A Moveable Feast, immersing visitors in early 20th-century Paris, with nods to the Belle Epoque, the Roaring Twenties and the Orient Express.

To that effect, the designers chose sustainable, distinctive and luxurious materials that wouldn’t usually be used in a commercial airport, from green Guatemalan marble to hammered brass. Along with the new space, the airport is introducing high-end services such as a concierge and a restaurant designed by Alain Ducasse.

US ­– More than six in 10 American workers are thinking of leaving their job in 2023, according to a new report from LinkedIn, driven by job volatility among younger generations.

As 2022 drew to a close, LinkedIn and CensusWide gauged the professional prospects of 2,000 US-based workers, revealing that recession isn’t set to affect the labour market’s fast turnover. Gen Zers, who entered the workforce during the pandemic, aren’t fazed by decreasing job stability. ‘They’re in an experimental phase where they’re still figuring out what they want out of a job,’ explains Karin Kimbrough, chief economist at LinkedIn. ‘But they’re more passionate about finding a job that aligns with their personal values, and they’re confident that switching jobs will help them get there.’

Other drivers pushing Gen Z and Millennials to switch jobs include higher compensation, better work-life balance, clear career paths and flexible working, stressing the benefits employers should focus on to retain young talent.

To stay ahead on what’s next in the workplace, RSVP to our Work States Futures online trend preview and explore our dedicated series.