News 12.07.2023

Need to Know

Pearson Lloyd’s classroom furniture for Gen Z, women footballers deserve tailored boots and nearly half of US car buyers to get an EV in the next two years.

Pearson Lloyd and Senator co-create next-gen learning furniture

CoLab by Pearson Lloyd, London, UK

UK ­– Industrial design studio Pearson Lloyd has partnered with British brand Senator to create CoLab, a furniture range designed specifically for next-generation learning. Developed after a two-year research project exploring changing teaching methods and technologies, CoLab is intended to facilitate active and social learning in modern classrooms.

CoLab features hybrid furniture objects that offer a range of seating and surfaces, allowing students to sit, lean, perch or stand. The designs support non-hierarchical interaction, catering for the shift to group work and peer-to-peer learning. The collection’s adaptable elements enable various forms of learning, providing agile group settings, space for laptop-based teamwork and casual gathering areas. With durability and circularity in mind, Pearson Lloyd developed modular components that can be easily repaired or replaced.

In Education in 2030, we explore what education will look like in the future; how traditional schooling will become outdated in the face of hyper-connected living. Pearson Lloyd’s new designs are not only robust, playful and practical, but also a thoughtful response to the changing face of education.

Strategic opportunity

The CoLab collection was created with Gen Z’s digital native and collaborative learning approach in mind. As this group will enter the workforce soon, businesses must adapt their spaces to accommodate varying work states and lifestyles

Study reveals football boots are not designed for women

Nike, Europe Nike, Europe

Europe – The European Club Association (ECA) unveiled a pioneering research project in June 2023 to develop football boots specifically designed for women.

Working in collaboration with Aspetar and St Mary’s University, the ECA’s High-Performance Advisory Group, composed of club doctors, physiotherapists and sports scientists, has significantly invested in analysing the anatomical differences between women’s and men’s feet. Over 18 months, some 350 players from top European clubs participated in an anonymous survey, providing feedback on their current boots and any associated pain or discomfort. 3D scans of the players’ feet were also taken to analyse their shape and movement.

The study found that current football boots are primarily designed for white males, leading to discomfort and performance issues for non-white and women players. Some 82% of the women footballers surveyed said they experience discomfort wearing football boots. To be more inclusive, the latter should be designed specifically for women and address factors such as foot shape, bending points and stud placement to prevent injury and discomfort, according to the study.

‘It is clear that a one-size-fits-all approach is inadequate,’ says Dr Katrine Kryger of St Mary’s University. ‘The data and knowledge gained through this research will undoubtedly support the ongoing improvement and development of women’s football footwear.’

By investing in this ground-breaking research, the ECA aims to ensure that every woman and girl in football can play with boots that are engineered to fit their specific needs. As explored in our Inclusive Fashion Market report, swathes of the fashion industry remain inaccessible to, or uncomfortable for, many consumers in 2023.

Strategic opportunity

Players in the fashion industry should consider how the one-size-fits-all approach is no longer enough for consumers with specific needs. Consider investing in more inclusive R&D experts with new approaches to sizing and accessibility

Stat: US car buyers’ interest in electric vehicles at an all-time high

BMW i Vision Dee, Germany BMW i Vision Dee, Germany

US – Research from EY released in June 2023 suggests that among the US consumers planning to purchase a new vehicle in the next 24 months, nearly half (48%) intend to buy an electric vehicle (EV) – up by 19 percentage points from 29% in the 2022 EY Mobility Consumer Index. The rise in interest makes the US the seventh most EV-ready country. The top three spots are held by China, Norway and Sweden.

‘On the heels of government legislation aimed at mitigating consumer concerns and driving increased collaboration between private and public sectors, this year’s data demonstrates that the US is at a true precipice when it comes to mainstream EV adoption,’ says Steve Patton, EY Americas mobility sector leader. ‘We can expect to see more EVs, both commercial and consumer, on the road.’

Felipe Smolka, EY Americas automotive eMobility leader, also suggests more EV accessibility and incentives from the American government will boost EV adoption and sales. He says: ‘Whether it’s developing charging stations on interstate highways or driving battery circularity, we will see EV adoption thrive.’

In our Mobility series, we closely monitor the latest innovations and insights in the industry, from futuristic Lunar Landers to Gen Z consumers’ behaviour in the car market.

Strategic opportunity

A rising number of EV drivers could go hand in hand with more climate-conscious demands from them as part of a more sustainable lifestyle. Does your current offer include products and services that could respond to those consumers’ values and habits?

Previous News Articles
NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show Europe: Unified commerce and inspirational entertainment

News

NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show Europe: Unified commerce and inspirational entertainment

On the opening day of NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Europe, the spotlight turned to unified commerce and the evolving role of physical stores in omni...
Retail : NRF : Pop Up Store
The Future Laboratory presents The Synthocene Era macrotrend at Première Vision

News

The Future Laboratory presents The Synthocene Era macrotrend at Première Vision

The Future Laboratory’s co-founder and chief creative officer Christopher Sanderson presented The Synthocene Era macrotrend at the fashion industry...
Global Events : Technology : The Synthocene Era
Gen Z in China are using AI to transform themselves into collectable merchandise

News

Gen Z in China are using AI to transform themselves into collectable merchandise

Gen Z in China are using AI art tools and 3D printing to transform themselves into ‘guzi’ – personalised collectable merchandise.
China : Kidults : Kidult Craze
Stat: Gen Z stay indoors for days as screen time replaces nature

News

Stat: Gen Z stay indoors for days as screen time replaces nature

Two-thirds of Gen Z in Britain confess they can go days without stepping outside, according to new research by Super, Natural British Columbia.
Gen Z : Nature : Health And Wellness
Big W embraces the beautiful chaos of parenting in new campaign

News

Big W embraces the beautiful chaos of parenting in new campaign

Department store chain Big W is shaking up family advertising with a bold new campaign celebrating the chaos, meltdowns and small wins of everyday ...
Advertising & Branding : Parenting : Retail
George at Asda unveils new adult adaptive clothing range

News

George at Asda unveils new adult adaptive clothing range

George at Asda has launched a 28-piece adult adaptive clothing collection, designed in collaboration with the late breast cancer campaigner Nicky N...
Retail : Fashion : George At Asda
Stat: Girls’ sport participation could unlock leadership potential at work

News

Stat: Girls’ sport participation could unlock leadership potential at work

Girls who play extracurricular sport in the UK are 50% more likely to go on to achieve senior professional roles at work, according to Game Changin...
Sport : Women's Sports : Teenage Girls
Vattenfall and Samuel L Jackson’s seaweed snack is grown on wind farms

News

Vattenfall and Samuel L Jackson’s seaweed snack is grown on wind farms

Swedish energy company, Vattenfall has teamed up with actor Samuel L Jackson to launch Wind Farmed Seaweed Snacks, a limited-edition delicacy grown...
Visual : Sweden : Energy
Happy Head debuts DNA-based system for personalised hair growth

News

Happy Head debuts DNA-based system for personalised hair growth

Happy Head has launched StrandIQ, the world’s first dermatologist-developed hair growth system powered by genetic analysis, giving patients tailore...
Health : Wellness : Happy Head StrandIQ
Stat: Luxury consumers’ optimism is improving amid global slowdown

News

Stat: Luxury consumers’ optimism is improving amid global slowdown

Saks’ latest Luxury Pulse survey shows rising confidence among luxury shoppers, with more than half planning to maintain or increase their spending...
Stat : Statistics : Statistic
You have 0 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN