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EU Retail Loses Share of Private Consumption, NIQ Report

A NielsenIQ (NIQ) report finds that EU purchasing power per capita rose nominally by 3.3% in 2025 to €22,425, while retail sales in the EU grew only 2.1%, slowing from previous years. Total available funds across the 27 EU states reached roughly €10.1 trillion. The share of private consumption spent in retail fell to 31.9% in 2025, with Germany the lowest at 22.2% and Croatia the highest at 48.3%. Retail sales growth varied widely across markets (Norway +13.1%, Lithuania +10.5%, Sweden +8.9%, Bulgaria +8.2%, Slovakia +8.0%); the UK saw a -0.6% decline. Average EU inflation dropped to 2.5% in 2025 but NIQ expects inflation to rise to about 3.1% in 2026, which could keep pressure on retailers as consumers shift spending toward services, travel and leisure.

• NielsenIQ (NIQ) reports average purchasing power per EU inhabitant rose 3.3% in 2025 to €22,425.
• Total available consumer funds across the 27 EU states were approximately €10.1 trillion in 2025.
• EU retail sales grew 2.1% in 2025, slower than the 3.3% gain in purchasing power.

PDD Holdings Grows, Investments Weigh on Profit

PDD Holdings, parent of Temu and Pinduoduo, reported second-quarter 2026 results showing revenue growth but lower net profit due to higher investments. Q2 revenue rose 8% year-on-year to RMB 112.4 billion, driven by transaction services, while net income attributable to shareholders fell 12% to RMB 27.2 billion. Operating expenses increased as the company expanded spending on merchant subsidies, marketing, compliance, and platform development. PDD retains a strong liquidity position with RMB 456.4 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and positive operating cash flow, and management says it prioritizes long-term platform-building over short-term profit maximization amid a complex regulatory environment.

• PDD Holdings reported Q2 2026 revenue of RMB 112.4 billion (approx. USD 16.6 billion), up 8% year-on-year.
• Net income attributable to shareholders fell 12% to RMB 27.2 billion in Q2 2026.
• Transaction services revenue increased 13% to RMB 54.7 billion; online marketing and other services generated RMB 57.6 billion.

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Consumer Body Warns Loot Boxes Are Cost Trap

The Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (vzbv) has called for stricter EU rules on loot boxes in online games after evaluating 81 consumer reports collected between March 23 and July 31, 2026. Reported harms include high personal expenditures (from hundreds to thousands of euros, with some mid-five-figure totals over years), psychological purchase pressure, and gambling-like mechanisms. The vzbv wants the European Commission’s planned Digital Fairness Act to ban manipulative, addiction-promoting design features, require such functions to be disabled by default, and prevent children and adolescents from enabling them. The vzbv notes its market observation is qualitative and not representative.

• The Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (vzbv) analyzed 81 consumer reports on loot boxes collected between 2026-03-23 and 2026-07-31.
• Some respondents reported spending several hundred to thousands of euros on loot-box purchases; individual reports cited mid-five-figure totals over multiple years.
• The vzbv urges the European Commission’s planned Digital Fairness Act to include binding rules banning manipulative and addiction-promoting design elements in websites, apps, and online games.

One in Three Young Adults Uses AI Like a Friend

A Kaspersky survey published on August 30, 2026, finds that AI is becoming a social companion for many young adults: 32% of 18–28-year‑olds use AI daily or almost daily and about 31% view AI similarly to a friend. Respondents report using AI for information (56%), learning (46%), everyday tasks (40%) and sensitive personal topics; however, only 30% consistently apply basic security measures. Kaspersky warns of privacy and accuracy risks, recommends verifying AI-generated information (especially on health, finance or legal topics), avoiding entry of sensitive data into AI tools, and checking privacy policies of new AI services.

• Kaspersky survey: 32% of 18–28‑year‑olds use AI daily or almost daily.
• Approximately 31% of young adults view AI similarly to a friend and seek emotional support or companionship.
• Usage breakdown among young adults: 56% for information search, 46% for learning/exam prep, 40% for everyday tasks.

Gamers Spend €334 Annually on Games

A representative survey commissioned by the German digital association Bitkom found that gamers in Germany who do not rely solely on free offerings spent an average of €334 on computer and video games in the past 12 months. The survey of 1,205 people (including 663 gamers) shows that 75% of gamers pay for games or in-game purchases while 25% use only free offerings. Spending varies widely by age and user segment: the top quarter of paying gamers averaged €781 per year, and younger players (16–29) spent more (€376) than older cohorts.

• Average annual spending on computer and video games among paying German gamers: €334.
• Survey commissioned by the digital association Bitkom and published immediately before Gamescom.
• Survey sample: 1,205 people aged 16+ in Germany, including 663 gamers; spending refers to the past 12 months.