ignition asia-pacific in numbers The value of working as a young free agent A study of workforces across the Asia-Pacific region by recruitment company PersolKelly shows that freelancers and the gig economy are redefining the workplace and its powered by young adults A mall for Millennials in Singapore Generation Z jobseekers across the region looking for contract-based roles rather than permanent full-time roles A new online retail destination has been launched to targetthe millennial consumer in Singapore. Megaxstore. com is a partnership between iFashion Group and MCPayment and offers access to more than 1,500 global brands and 80,000 products, many from small and independent suppliers that reflect the latest tastes of younger consumers. Products include food and homewares, gadgets and an exclusive concierge service that helps visitors discover tailored holiday experiences. However, MegaX has a USP shoppers make transactions using MGX coins and other cryptocurrencies. MegaX says it is working towards a future where the MGX currency will be the cryptocurrency of choice for millennials. of respondents of all ages said they prefer flexible contract-based roles over permanent full-time roles Respondents in Hong Kong who agreed they have seen a shift in working patterns of respondents say flexible working is a prime reason for being a free agent Employers that say flexible working increases employee satisfaction and productivity Cutting queues with supermarket smartcarts Back in the world of bricks and mortar retail, artificial intelligencepoweredshopping trolleys are set to offer a more frictionless shopping experience for visitors to the Auckland branch of the New Zealand store Foodstuffs. To use the technology, customers pair their smartphone to a smartcart using a QR code. Any item added to the trolley automatically appears in the phone apps virtual basket. When customers have finished shopping, they can simply wheel the trolley out of the store and be charged automatically. Foodstuffs says the smartcarts will help the store with inventory management, cost reduction and analytics with the addedbenefit to customers, of course, that they no longer have to queue atthe checkout. Ch i nas hot test br an ds Kantar Millward Browns annual brands ranking, The BrandZ Top 50, highlights how Chinese brands are looking to meet the needs of consumers beyond the home market. With the countrys Belt and Road Initiative of global commerce starting to reap dividends,its likely that the countrys biggest brands will continue to look to overseas consumers for growth opportunities. Kantar reports good news for Brand China negative connotations of Chinese brands around the world are in decline, and China is now seen as being at the frontier of innovation. Many of Chinas Global Brand Builders are those in fields such as robotics, nanotechnology and artificial intelligence a pioneering message that may be particularly resonant with younger global consumers. Top 10 Chinese Global Brand Builders 1. Lenovo (consumer electronics) 2. Huawei (consumer electronics) 3. Alibaba (e-commerce) 4. Xiaomi (consumer electronics) 5. Air China (airlines) 6. Elex (mobile gaming) 7. Anker (consumer electronics) 8. Haier (home appliances) 9. Hisense (home appliances) 10. Cheetah (mobile gaming/internet) cim.co.uk/exchange