South Africa, April 10 -- "Consumers are longing for acknowledgement and empowerment, and brands need to bridge this gap by fostering genuine representation and engagement," says Jenni Pennacchini, managing partner at KLA, a South African insight consultancy.

This is according to a white paper detailing exactly what has, and hasn't, changed in the lives of consumers in South Africa in the [five years since the Covid lockdown.

The research from the Up&Up Group and KLA comes at a time when businesses are preparing to weather potential stormy economic conditions as a result of geopolitical and global economic trade uncertainty.

As such, they know they must be highly relevant and resonant to grab the attention of increasingly discerning co...