JWT's Trendspotting Team Examines "The Circular Economy"

JWT's trendspotting team has just released its latest trend report, "The Circular Economy," which explores the revival of an alternative economic model that's designed to reduce waste and is steadily gaining ground with major brands from Unilever to BMW to Philips and more.

Among other things the report highlights how brands need to reframe the customer relationship in order to become more cyclical. Companies will need to create ongoing relationships with users so as to keep their goods within the closed loop. The possibilities are numerous, including monitoring the quality of parts digitally; as Caterpillar does, creating financial incentives for the safe return of used goods, as several apparel retailers are doing; and giving consumers the means to easily repair or re-use goods.