AGP Executive Report

Food Trends: Tomato-based malatang is catching on in South Korea, where the fruit is finding new roles in dishes beyond familiar sauces and juices. Shopping Shift: Kenya Airways is moving duty-free shopping online from Nov. 1, letting passengers pre-order from a broader range of products up to 40 days before flying. Home Charging: New rules in England remove the need for planning permission for cross-pavement home EV chargers, potentially saving about £300 per installation. Menu Watch: McDonald’s is exploring higher-protein options as it considers changing tastes among customers taking GLP-1 weight-loss drugs; no products or launch dates have been announced. Product Safety: Wise Wife ground cinnamon sold in 14 states is being recalled over elevated lead levels. Shoppers should discard it or return it for a refund. Retail and Spending: Greece’s supermarket market reached €16 billion, with shoppers seeking value and retailers investing in private labels, technology and new services. In South Africa, premium beer sales are growing while cash-strapped customers pull back on mainstream brands. Consumer Claims: A U.S. judge has allowed parts of a lawsuit alleging McDonald’s misled customers about the pork in its McRib to proceed.

Consumer Confidence: U.S. sentiment has fallen below levels seen when inflation hit 9.1%, while the richest 10% account for half of consumer spending — a warning that headline economic growth may not reflect how many households feel. China’s Spending Shift: Services spending grew 5% in the first three quarters of 2026, outpacing the 2.6% rise in sales of goods as consumers turned toward travel, health services and smart products. Product Safety: New Zealand testing found seven in 10 sunscreens failed their SPF label claims; UK raids also uncovered counterfeit beauty products containing mercury, lead and methanol. Online Shopping Costs: A new €2 fee on parcels from Shein, Temu and AliExpress takes effect in the EU on Sunday, adding a charge for shoppers buying from the platforms. Retail Watch: Reliance Retail’s quarterly profit fell 24% year over year, despite revenue growth of about 6%; its consumer-products business rose 60%.

Food and Fuel Costs: Sri Lankan bakery owners will raise the price of a 450g loaf by 5 rupees from October 30, following a flour price increase. A three-month shortage of LAUGFS cooking-gas cylinders has also prompted Sri Lanka’s consumer authority to consider legal action against the supplier. Product Safety: Consumer NZ found seven in 10 tested sunscreens failed to meet their SPF label claims. UK authorities also seized counterfeit beauty products containing toxic chemicals, including mercury, lead and methanol. Household Bills: Riga’s district heating company has proposed a 19% tariff increase from December, citing higher gas, biomass and electricity costs. In the US, inflation rose in September as real consumer spending stalled, while Laos households continued to feel pressure from higher food, fuel and electricity prices.**

Prices & Spending: U.S. consumer prices rose 3.6% year over year in September as incomes fell 0.3%. Hershey warned that financial strain could dampen Halloween candy sales, already down 6.7% through Oct. 17, though Mastercard says consumer spending held up last quarter. Data Privacy: GM will pay $220 million to settle claims it shared drivers’ location and behavior data with brokers and insurers; the FTC is also probing whether companies use personal data to set different prices. Shopping: Etsy’s active buyers rose for the first time in two years after the marketplace tightened rules on AI-generated and mass-produced listings. Product Safety: Nigeria’s NAFDAC destroyed more than ₦8 billion in counterfeit, expired and banned goods, including restricted small-pack alcohol. Home Products: Narwal launched its Flow 2 robot vacuum in the UAE and Bahrain, featuring heated-water mopping and object recognition.

Personalized Pricing: The FTC is investigating whether nine companies, including Walmart, Target, Uber and DoorDash, use personal data to set different prices for customers or pay for gig workers. The inquiry seeks information; it has not established wrongdoing. Retail Overcharging: New Jersey has joined a lawsuit accusing Dollar General of charging customers more than advertised, while Kroger is issuing payments to some customers under a $17 million pricing settlement. Kids and AI: New York’s new law requires chatbot operators to verify users’ ages and restricts companion-like interactions with minors. Product Safety: South Korean authorities found carcinogens in tests of conventional cigarettes and heated and liquid e-cigarettes, and plan broader tobacco testing and controls. Everyday Costs: Nigerian fuel marketers report CNG prices of 380 to 500 naira per standard cubic metre, as petrol costs remain high; actual savings depend on access and vehicle conversion costs.

Consumer Protection: Australia plans tougher enforcement and fines of up to A$10 million for industry-code breaches after Telstra customers lost money in SIM-swap fraud. In the U.S., the FTC and several states accuse Dollar General of overcharging shoppers. Retail and Costs: The UK Budget raises small-business rate relief and adds help with energy and fuel bills, but retailers warn that higher operating costs threaten jobs and store viability. A new report finds 79% of retailers and manufacturers say shoppers are seeking affordability. Food Shopping: A cooperative-run Kadiwa store is connecting Oriental Mindoro farmers directly with Metro Manila buyers, aiming to offer fresh produce at lower prices. Lidl, meanwhile, plans a €306 million investment in Cork, including new and redeveloped stores and a distribution centre. Products: Cheerios is adding a resealable inner bag with a built-in pouring spout, addressing a common complaint about cereal going stale. McDonald’s is also rolling out an $8 Quarter Pounder meal and limited-time holiday drinks in November.

Online Shopping Costs: The EU will add a €2 handling fee to parcels from outside the bloc starting Nov. 1, on top of an existing €3 charge. Retailers may pass the cost to shoppers, despite consumer groups’ concerns. Price Checks: The FTC and 20 states accuse Dollar General of charging customers more than advertised prices; the company faces a new lawsuit. Product Safety: Crayola denied adding formaldehyde, but its filings listed the chemical in more than 300 children’s products. Consumer Reports also found banned baby products on resale marketplaces. Tech Products: Apple’s new foldable iPhones are drawing complaints about cracked screens, and the company has responded. Food and Drink: Heineken’s new CEO says the brewer must improve execution and win more customers, even after quarterly sales beat forecasts.

Food Safety: Natural Grocers recalled 2-pound bags of organic mung beans over possible glass fragments; customers should stop eating them and return them for a refund. Retail Accountability: The FTC and 20 states sued Dollar General, alleging shoppers were repeatedly charged more at checkout than advertised prices, despite years of complaints. Shopping & Home: Target has revamped its nearly $3 billion Threshold home brand, adding more than 800 items and cutting prices on some products, including select comforters. Delivery: Ofcom is weighing tougher rules for couriers after customer satisfaction fell to 75%; Evri and Yodel had the highest dissatisfaction rates. Household Costs: U.S. consumer confidence improved in October, but prices remain a worry; a new report estimates the Iran war has added an average $471 to Americans’ fuel costs since February. Product Watch: Apple says only a small number of its new foldable iPhones have reportedly developed cracked screens, following customer complaints.

Retail Pricing: The FTC and 20 states are suing Dollar General, alleging the chain repeatedly charged customers more than shelf or advertised prices. Food Labels: India’s consumer watchdog fined Britannia ₹100,000 and ordered it to stop calling bread “100% Whole Wheat” when whole wheat flour makes up about 62% of the product. Product Safety: Nearly 946 pounds of Imperio beef jerky were recalled after officials found it was made without required federal inspection; no illnesses have been reported. Sun Protection: Australia’s regulator has proposed tougher sunscreen testing and oversight following last year’s SPF concerns. Electronics: High-end Nvidia graphics cards in Shenzhen have surged in price as data-centre demand tightens component supplies, with some models nearly doubling in recent months. Subscriptions: DStv is cutting prices and consolidating its packages in Kenya from November 5, as it tries to win back customers. Household Bills: Saudi Arabia’s electricity, water and wastewater tariff increases are set to take effect January 1, 2027. Smartphones: Apple’s new foldable iPhone is drawing complaints from customers who say screens cracked after hours or days of use.

Retail Pricing: The FTC and 20 states are suing Dollar General, alleging years of overcharging shoppers when register prices exceeded shelf labels and advertised prices. Pay-Later Rules: A New Jersey bill would require buy-now, pay-later lenders to obtain state licenses, disclose terms clearly and limit fees and interest. TV Costs: Ghana plans new DStv packages from November 5, starting at GH¢50 a month, subject to required clearance, as officials pair affordability with a piracy crackdown. Consumer Tech: Apple’s new iPad mini, with an OLED display and water-resistance rating, starts at $699; preorders open October 28. Home Safety: The EPA approved an additional method for testing formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products, while saying existing consumer protections remain unchanged.

Food Labels: India’s consumer authority ordered Britannia to stop calling its bread “100% whole wheat” because whole wheat flour makes up only about 62% of the loaf. Product Safety: Millie Moon diapers have drawn more than 600 skin-reaction reports, and Consumer Reports advised parents to stop using them. UK consumer group Which? says online marketplaces won’t curb dangerous products without stronger laws. Phones: Apple’s first foldable iPhone faces durability questions after a test found problems with its hinge and inner display; a replacement display could cost about $1,000. In Karachi, budget smartphone prices have also jumped, putting basic devices beyond reach for many shoppers. Retail & Trust: Shein agreed to pay $100 million to settle a US Federal Trade Commission probe, while a new report warns fake online reviews distort competition and put consumers at risk. Household Budgets: UK retail sales fell as shoppers tightened spending ahead of Christmas, and consumer confidence dropped at its fastest pace since the Brexit vote, excluding the pandemic.

Household Budgets: U.S. Halloween candy sales fell 6.7% through Oct. 17 as soaring chocolate prices and other living costs squeeze shoppers; small bags are faring better than larger packs. Fees and Value: Starbucks Taiwan’s new NT$15 charge to top up drinks ordered with little or no ice has angered customers who say cups look half-empty without the extra payment. Retail Returns: U.S. retailers took back $706 billion in goods last year, including $100 billion in preventable fraud or abuse losses. Processing returns costs an average 30% of an item’s value, and most preventable losses weren’t outright fraud. Product Safety: Consumer Reports urged parents to stop using Millie Moon diapers after more than 600 reports of skin reactions. Separate alerts include listeria concerns involving SuperValu and Centra products, and possible glass contamination in Arla protein puddings. Pricing Transparency: The FTC says hidden, surveillance-based pricing could violate consumer-protection law, putting retailers’ use of personal data to set prices under scrutiny.

Car Deals: Mazda is offering Qatar buyers free first-year insurance and registration, two years of servicing and a five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty on selected models through Dec. 9. Fair Pricing: A Philippine senator has filed a bill to prohibit gender-based price discrimination on goods and services. Product Safety: Consumer Reports advised parents to stop using Millie Moon diapers after more than 600 skin-reaction reports; Arla also recalled protein puddings over possible glass contamination. Food Costs & Labels: U.S. ground beef and strawberry prices rose 7.4% and 10.4% year over year in September. From Oct. 28, South Carolina restaurants must disclose when shrimp is imported. Retail Mood: UK sales fell as shoppers tightened their belts ahead of Christmas, while U.S. consumer sentiment hit a five-month low amid inflation concerns. Shopping Trends: South Korean shoppers are favouring Halloween-themed character collectibles over costumes, with related product transactions up 18% from a year earlier.

Product Safety: Consumer Reports is urging parents to stop using Millie Moon diapers after reviewing more than 600 skin-reaction reports. No recall has been issued, and the company says its tests found no defect. New Tech: Apple’s first foldable iPhone has launched at about $2,000, drawing store queues; some early users have reported cracked screens. Consumer Costs: UK retail sales fell 0.4% as shoppers cut back, while U.S. consumer sentiment sank to a five-month low amid inflation concerns. Digital Services: Airbnb will bar hosts from asking guests to wash dishes or do laundry from November 20, responding to complaints about checkout chores. Fair Pricing: A Philippine senator has filed a bill to prohibit gender-based price discrimination on consumer goods and services. China’s Consumers: The government is targeting 60 trillion yuan in retail sales by 2030, but consumer-goods sales grew just 1.1% year over year in January–August.

Household Spending: Procter & Gamble reported 4% organic sales growth in its first quarter, with volume up 2.4% despite price pressures. But higher commodity costs squeezed margins, and the company warned of rising costs ahead. Food Support: Sainsbury’s will offer eligible families in England, Wales and Northern Ireland an extra £3 a week for six weeks to buy fruit and vegetables. Product Safety: Consumer Reports called for a recall of Millie Moon diapers, while new warnings cover products sold through major retailers, including a lamp with an electric-shock risk. Data Protection: SBI says personal details from 3,897 customer records appeared on the dark web; the bank says funds are safe and affected customers have been notified. Trade and Prices: The U.S. is removing some Canadian goods from 50% tariffs on Oct. 30, but adding others, including cocoa powder and air conditioners. Consumer Mood: U.S. sentiment hit a five-month low as inflation worries persisted, with consumers’ one-year price expectations rising to 4.7%.

Consumer Protection: Alberta plans new safeguards on auto insurance, utility bills, ticket resales and used vehicles. Georgia’s attorney general is urging convenience stores to pull kratom products, citing risks from the opioid-like compound 7-OH. Retail Watch: Shein agreed to pay $100 million to settle an FTC probe following thousands of customer complaints, including reports of undelivered orders. Bath & Body Works opened a new store format focused on easier fragrance discovery, clearer product information and in-store testing. Tech: Apple’s $2,000 folding iPhone Duo quickly sold out, leaving some buyers facing waits until next year. Affordability: U.S. consumer sentiment remains near historic lows as inflation and fuel costs squeeze household budgets; gas averaged $4.29 a gallon and diesel $6.32. Sustainable Shopping: A European Commission survey found 81% of consumers believe EU Ecolabel products have lower environmental impacts, as new anti-greenwashing rules raise the stakes for clear, verifiable claims.