These Changes in Trends Could Have An Impact On Life in 2023

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 04 Jan 2023

Some important business stories went underreported in 2022 because of general turmoil, big elections, spiraling prices, and pandemic fatigue. Here is a look at a few that you may have missed that could have big futures.

Going from one crisis to another has taken a toll on people over the past year. The news comes so fast and furious that it is hard to keep track. Here are a few stories you might have missed that may have an outsize impact on how we dress, charge our phones, travel, and trade goods in the future.

The European Union Settles on USB-C Charger

In October, the European Parliament passed a law demanding that all smartphones, tablets, e-readers, earbuds, headphones, and cameras must be USB Type-C port compatible starting in 2024. For laptops, the law comes into effect in 2026. That means one charger for all devices. The days of drawers full of different chargers and converters could be over.

After efforts failed to convince industry to come up with its own measures, the EU took things into its own hands. The European Commission says a single charger will save customers around €250 million ($265 million) by allowing consumers to reuse them. Buyers will be able to choose whether to buy a new device with or without a charger, cutting down on e-waste.

Apple has the most to do to achieve this standard and has complained the loudest. But in the end, Apple customers will likely want to be up-to-date and could go on a buying spree. Others worry that wireless charging is taking over anyhow. Will the EU’s 450 million consumers be enough to convince manufacturers to introduce USB-C in other places or will companies have different charging systems based on location?

Airbus A380 Heads For The Exit … Or Not

Too big. Too hard to fill with passengers. Too expensive to fuel. The Airbus A380, the biggest passenger jet in service, was all those things. Certified to carry just over 850 passengers in an all-economy version, a typical layout including first and business class could carry 525 passengers. It overwhelmed airports and airlines.

Emirates was the biggest backer of the program and purchased nearly half the 251 jets ever sold. Other big airlines bought a few each. Sales were slow. Some airlines phased out the jets early. Then COVID-19 travel restrictions came and shut down global travel. Other airlines retired or phased out the jets. With a disaster on its hands, Airbus decided to stop A380 production at the end of 2021 and close the program.

A few months before that Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr swore that his A380s were grounded and never going to fly again, a point he drove home as recently as April. But how quickly things can change. Passenger numbers are up and Boeing is behind in delivering its important 777 jets.

To keep up with travel demand A380s are being revived. According to tracker Flightradar24, seven different airlines are currently flying their A380s. In total 129 are hitting the airways and more are coming. Lufthansa is in the process of bringing 4-5 of its superjumbos out of deep storage and making them airworthy. It is a rebirth that no one thought possible just a few months ago. Never say never.

Birkenstock In The Starting Gate To Go Luxury

The clunky cork and leather sandals made by Birkenstock are comfortable, but are they fashionable? Well, French conglomerate LVMH thought so and bought a controlling interest in the family-owned company in 2021. And LVMH should know luxury. They own Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, and Dior.

So far, no big changes have happened, and in many places, you can still buy mass-produced footwear at health food shops. A few TikTokers have pushed certain pairs, but the company has not appointed a star designer or started its usual glossy marketing campaigns to make the sandals a must-have item.

If you still like the old worn-out brown leather sandals with or without socks then never fear. They are still available. In fact, an old pair worn by Apple founder Steve Jobs (see photo above) recently sold at auction for over $218,000 (€205,000). Expect price hikes for new models, but not that much. If you want to be at the forefront of fashion you may need to keep your eyes on the ground.