News & Topics

Malaysia Cost Pressure Pulse (MCPP) wave 2 2026

Malaysia’s Cost Anxiety Is Deepening — And Consumers Are Changing How They Cope. This wave was conducted during the Strait of Hormuz crisis, with Wave 1 and Wave 2 occurring three weeks apart. All tracked metrics increased on the concern scale.

New Thailand Cost Pressure Pulse – Thai Consumers Sound the Alarm

As global oil markets remain rattled by the Strait of Hormuz crisis and the Thai baht continues to face depreciation pressure against the US dollar, a new survey by Rakuten Insight finds that Thai consumers are acutely aware — and deeply anxious. The Thailand Cost Pressure Pulse (Wave 1), conducted in March–April 2026 among 1,054 Thai adults, places average cost-of-living concern at 8.09 out of 10 — with 53% of respondents rating their concern at 9 or 10. That is not background noise. That is alarm.

Malaysia Cost Pressure Pulse (MCPP) wave 1 2026

How Malaysians Are Responding, Adjusting, and Changing Behaviours Understanding real-time consumer responses is essential in the current economic climate. Rakuten Insight’s Malaysia Cost Pressure Pulse (MCPP) monitors how Malaysians manage cost-of-living pressures, including changes in spending habits and brand preferences. Wave 1, conducted from 16 to 18 March 2026 with 1,042 respondents, captured Malaysian sentiment at the peak of the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

New Report Reveals Key Insights in Southeast Asia Pet Market

Southeast Asia’s pet care market is experiencing rapid growth. Pets are increasingly viewed as family members, leading owners to invest more in their well-being. Rising incomes and urbanization are driving this expansion, creating significant opportunities for brands. To better understand this trend, we surveyed our proprietary panels in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam to gather direct insights from pet owners.

Beyond the Paycheque: New Singapore Employee Sentiment Study

Rakuten Insight and Reeracoen collaborate on the ‘Beyond the Paycheque: New Singapore Employee Sentiment Study.’ Uncover why employee retention in Singapore now demands more than just salary, emphasizing sustainable experiences, manager skills, and clear career progression. Download the full report for data-driven insights.

Business people

Singapore Study: Career Gaps & The Skill Imperative

Despite Singapore’s low unemployment rate of around 2.1 percent, a new study by Reeracoen and Rakuten Insight shows that employers remain cautious when evaluating mid-career candidates, applicants with career gaps, and those who have been unemployed for more than three months.

Announcement: Rakuten Group Internal Reorganization

TOKYO, Japan – December 15, 2025 – Rakuten Insight Global, Inc. today announced that it will merge with Rakuten Insight, Inc., effective January 1, 2026. Following the merger, the combined entity will operate under the new company name: Rakuten Insight, Inc. We wish to assure our valued clients and partners that all services currently provided by Rakuten Insight Global, Inc. will continue without interruption after January 1, 2026. There will be no changes to our service names.

Influencer Marketing in Asia: Key Findings in New Report

The influencer marketing and social commerce landscape in Asia is evolving rapidly, presenting unique opportunities and challenges for brands. To provide clarity on these trends, Totem Media recently published their comprehensive report, “Influencer Marketing in Asia.” At Rakuten Insight Global, we are proud to have partnered with Totem Media by providing essential consumer research data for this study.

Business people

Beyond the Beach: APAC Travelers Demand Transparency and Value in Their Online Bookings

Forget the glossy brochures and curated Instagram feeds. Today’s APAC traveler is savvy, digitally-driven, and demands more than just a pretty picture. A new study by Rakuten Insight, in collaboration with Rakuten Advertising, reveals a powerful shift in how travelers in the region plan and book their trips. The key takeaway? Transparency, value, and trust are paramount.

Snapshot – Luxury Products in APAC

Refine your luxury marketing strategy in Asia. This Rakuten Insight Global report analyzes consumer behavior in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan, covering purchase drivers, brand discovery, and loyalty programs.

New survey: 2025 Ride-Hailing App Landscape in Vietnam

A recent study conducted with Rakuten Insight Global’s exclusive Vietnamese panel explored the habits and preferences of Vietnamese consumers regarding these platforms. Notably, a significant proportion of respondents indicated that they had booked either a car (66%) or a motorbike (67%) via ride-hailing apps, underscoring the increasing reliance on these services for daily transportation needs. 

Business people

New Survey: 1 in 3 Singapore Jobseekers Tricked by Scams

Amid one of Asia’s most digitally advanced labour markets, a new survey by Reeracoen Singapore, in collaboration with Rakuten Insight Global, reveals that 35% of jobseekers in Singapore encountered job scams in the past year, withover half of them targeted more than once.

Snapshot – Online Gaming in Asia

Online gaming has taken the world by storm in recent years, with millions of players engaged across various regions. To better understand this phenomenon, Rakuten Insight Global surveyed over 71,000 adults aged 16 and older from 12 key Asian markets – China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Valentine’s Day – Learnings from Asia

Valentine’s Day is recognized internationally as a day when people exchange cards and gifts as a sign of affection. But Japan has its very own tradition! Women are expected to offer chocolate to men in their lives; including husbands, male friends, co-workers and bosses. The giving of chocolate to men with no romantic connotations is known as “giri choco” – or Obligation Chocolates! Men are expected to return the favour one month later on March 14th, known as “White Day.”