Consumption and the consumer: new realities, new scenarios

The seminar on “Consumption and the consumer: new realities, new scenarios”, held as part of the Aspen Seminars for Leaders program, focused on the awareness that consumption is not only economically significant but is also impacting on social dynamics to a greater extent. Consumers, having become disenchanted, autonomous and prone to shopping around, are increasingly making their purchases online. To be successful, businesses must therefore be able to reinvent their marketing techniques and embrace the impact of new communications technologies, in order to win back consumers irritated by postured advertising and tired old stereotypes. Hence, the common denominators which cut across different product sectors need to be identified. The ability to discern a common sentiment running through consumption and the emergence of new trends is a key factor for the survival of a business operating in the global market.