News 10.04.2025

Need to Know

Haraku designs food for gamers, 247 by Represent makes its womenswear debut and how work and financial pressures are top of mind for Gen Z.

Haraku’s The One Noodle targets Indonesia’s gaming community

The One Noodle by Haraku Ramen, Indonesia
The One Noodle by Haraku Ramen, Indonesia
The One Noodle by Haraku Ramen, Indonesia

Indonesia – Ramen brand Haraku Ramen Halal has launched The One Noodle – a limited-edition, 3.5-metre-long noodle engineered specifically for gamers. Created in collaboration with BLKJ Havas and Moonfolks Indonesia, the noodle is designed to be eaten continuously, allowing players to stay immersed in game play without interruption.

With a thicker, flavour-absorbing texture and unbreakable form, The One Noodle playfully bridges the worlds of food and gaming culture. Launched on 21 February 2025, the product sold out within days, highlighting the demand for novelty dining experiences that meet the needs of niche lifestyle communities. The campaign is part of Haraku’s strategy to differentiate within Indonesia’s booming quick-service food scene using experiential innovation and playful cross-sector creativity.

Our Gastro Gaming Market report spotlights how food and drink brands across the globe are tapping into the world of gaming to offer tastes, skins and experiences that transcend the screen.

Strategic opportunity

Build loyalty by solving small but meaningful problems for hyper-engaged communities in ways that reflect their culture. Novelty resonates most when niche audiences – like gamers – feel seen, valued and included in a brand’s story

247 by Represent launches first-ever womenswear collection

247 Woman spring/summer 2025 by Represent, UK 247 Woman spring/summer 2025 by Represent, UK
247 Woman spring/summer 2025 by Represent, UK 247 Woman spring/summer 2025 by Represent, UK

UK – Performance wear brand 247 by Represent has unveiled its debut womenswear collection, marking a new chapter as it responds to rising demand for luxury athleisure. The collection drops online and at a London pop-up on 9 April.

Part of the spring/summer 2025 line-up, the 14-piece edit includes standout styles such as the DNA Sports Bra, DNA Legging and DNA Training Jacket – all made from sustainably sourced, high-performance fabrics.

Designed by Represent’s new head of womenswear Toni Purdie (former head of design at Topshop), the collection aims to deliver gymwear with ‘lasting style that can go the distance’. In a press release, Purdie added: ‘The On a Mission ethos of the 247 brand is all about inspiring people to perform at their very best… we want to give people the confidence to go and achieve great things without having to sacrifice their style.’

Represent co-founder George Heaton said the move from menswear to womenswear is a natural progression: ‘We have so many women already in our community who attend our events and our runs all over the world, so we know the demand is already there.’

For more insights on Represent’s secret recipe for success, read our Brand Innovation Debrief: Represent.

Strategic opportunity

Consider how to use insights from loyal customers already engaging with your brand to co-create new product lines. Could you, for instance, launch feedback loops, design challenges or ambassador programmes that directly involve your community in product innovation?

Stat: Work and financial pressures eclipse culture wars for Gen Z

Gully Guy Leo by OhkayChris Gully Guy Leo by OhkayChris

UK – A new youth poll by the John Smith Centre at Glasgow University reveals that UK Gen Z’s top concerns are economic, not ideological. In a survey of 16–29-year-olds, 37% cited financial stress as their primary source of anxiety, followed by work pressures (23%) and job insecurity (20%). Issues often assumed to define youth sentiment – such as social media (14%) and climate change (10%) – ranked considerably lower.

The findings also reveal divides based on gender, education and class. While 70% of young people in full-time work felt optimistic about the future, only 44% of those unemployed shared that sentiment.

Despite concerns about democratic decline, 57% still preferred democracy over dictatorship. Notably, 75% reported participating in political activity in the past year.

The report positions Gen Z as politically active but pragmatically focused – more worried about weekly survival than ideological battles. This aligns with research from our Gen Z Now and Next: 2024–2025 report, which explored younger consumers’ financial anxieties and worrying gender divergence.

Strategic opportunity

Address Gen Z’s real anxieties by focusing on economic empowerment. Brands should shift from performative purpose to practical value – offering tools, education and products that support financial resilience, career growth and emotional wellbeing

Previous News Articles
Wildsmith translates tree intelligence into a sonic wellbeing journey

News

Wildsmith translates tree intelligence into a sonic wellbeing journey

Following its progressive moves into sustainable skincare and regenerative design, Wildsmith is now turning to sound as a wellness modality.
Beauty : Wellness : Nature
New study links increased social media use to later depression in youth

News

New study links increased social media use to later depression in youth

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open has found that higher social media use among tweens and teens may lead to increased depress...
Society : Health : Media
Stat: Study finds car usage and red meat consumption drive gender gap in carbon emissions

News

Stat: Study finds car usage and red meat consumption drive gender gap in carbon emissions

New research aiming to understand the distribution of carbon footprints across population groups reveals that traditional gender norms around food ...
Sustainability : Gender : Carbon Emissions
Disney unveils first-ever Middle East theme park on Yas Island

News

Disney unveils first-ever Middle East theme park on Yas Island

In a landmark moment for the entertainment and tourism sectors, The Walt Disney Company, in partnership with Miral, has announced the first-ever Di...
Abu Dhabi : Saudi Arabia : Travel And Hospitality
New data set helps identify culturally specific biases in LLMs

News

New data set helps identify culturally specific biases in LLMs

A new dataset called SHADES is helping researchers uncover how AI models internalise and reproduce harmful stereotypes in multiple languages.
AI : Technology : LLMs
Portugal tops list as Americans seek freedom abroad

News

Portugal tops list as Americans seek freedom abroad

In a recent survey of over 100,000 Americans considering emigration, Portugal has emerged as the top relocation destination. 
Travel : Society : Wellness
Electrolux launches campaign based on Swedish culture and values

News

Electrolux launches campaign based on Swedish culture and values

Multinational home appliance manufacturer Electrolux has launched a campaign celebrating core Swedish design values.
Home : Appliances : Advertising
Sober living meets social connection at NYC’s new members’ club The Maze

News

Sober living meets social connection at NYC’s new members’ club The Maze

New York City is set to welcome its first alcohol-free members’ club, The Maze, in autumn 2025.
Hospitality : Sober : Luxury
Stat: Brits Spend £439m a month to skip ads on top streaming platforms

News

Stat: Brits Spend £439m a month to skip ads on top streaming platforms

UK consumers are spending more than £439m each month, over £4.8bn annually, on ad-free streaming, according to new data from finance comparison sit...
Media : Entertainment : Streaming
AirCar readies for launch, ushering in an era of casual air mobility

News

AirCar readies for launch, ushering in an era of casual air mobility

Slovakia’s Klein Vision has announced that its AirCar – a road-legal vehicle that converts into a certified aircraft in under two minutes – will be...
Mobility : Air Travel : Transport
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN