M&A in Pharma: Angelini Pharma has completed its acquisition of Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, bringing Catalyst’s product portfolio into Angelini’s brain health and rare-disease push, with Blackstone-backed preferred equity and CDP Equity backing a ~€1B investment. AI for Consumer Discovery: GenOptima rolled out an enterprise GEO framework aimed at improving measurable AI search outcomes across 20+ platforms. Workplace Food Services: Sodexo won a major global food services contract with Meta covering 130+ locations in 30+ countries, with delivery rolling out over coming months. Consumer Economy Watch (China): China’s retail sales of consumer goods rebounded in June (+1% y/y) and service consumption rose in the first half, while Q2 growth slowed to 4.3%. Retail & Food Exports: Korean brands are expanding in Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar (“Mongtan”), with Korean convenience chains and K-food exports gaining momentum. Coffee Growth: Vietnam’s Every Half Coffee Roasters raised $8M Series A to expand stores and packaged coffee distribution. Policy & Consumer Protection: A U.S. House hearing is set to consider bills strengthening consumer product and service protections, including packaging and recycled materials rules. Food Safety/Health: South Africa’s Sahpra plans a public education push against illicit medicines sold online and via social media. Trade Deal Impact: India–UK CETA is now in force, flagging duty-free/low-tariff access for many Indian goods, including leather and consumer-related categories.