Consumer
Insights

Trend - Breathing necklaces are designed to aid in mindfulness and relaxation through breath control. The wearer takes a deep breath while holding the tip of the hollow pendant to their lips and then exhales. The necklace contains a small air channel that slows down the exhale, helping the user achieve a slower breathing rhythm.

Insight - Due to increasing stress levels, consumers are increasingly prioritizing mental well-being and stress reduction, seeking products that combine functionality with aesthetic appeal. These products offer stress relief, improved focus, and emotional balance, aligning with trends in self-care and mental health awareness. Additionally, the appeal of mindfulness products is enhanced by their integration into daily routines, making them accessible and practical for modern lifestyles.

Trend - Architectural companies are creating compact homes with sustainability-first designs. Often with an emphasis on minimalism and nature, these homes offer the essentials for living comfortably in a compact structure built with eco-friendly materials.

Insight - As more millennial consumers become homeowners, many are noting the current undesirable state of the housing industry. With rising costs of living affecting more than just housing costs, it is becoming increasingly difficult for many such consumers to live comfortably on their own. As a result, architectural companies are creating compact, often portable, homes with eco-friendly designs that help mitigate energy costs, tax rates, and more.

Trend - Incremental games are titles that progress over time without user input. This progress can be accelerated by actively playing the game. The passive progression model leads to consistent progression for the players, which is often satisfying and addicting, regardless of the players' busy schedules.

Insight - One of the fastest-growing markets in gaming is mobile gaming. With nearly every consumer having a gaming-capable smartphone in their pocket, the potential user base for these games is incredibly expansive. However, not all consumers have the time to actively engage with games. For these busier consumers who desire the satisfaction and relaxation of gaming with minimal free time, brands are releasing incremental progression games that automatically play themselves, even when the app is closed.

Trend - New startups are launching wearable sweat monitors for safe hydration levels. These are non-intrusive wearables that measure the sweat on the skin, rather than detecting moisture within the skin directly. This helps remind users when to hydrate, particularly during sporting activities.

Insight - Climate change has led to outdoor weather becoming increasingly unpredictable, with rising temperatures causing more regions to become near-uninhabitable at certain times of the year. These conditions cause consumers to pay more attention to proper hydration. When performing physical activities, these consumers are looking for non-intrusive solutions to ensure their bodies maintain healthy fluid levels. Brands are in turn creating hydration monitors with less intrusive sweat-monitoring designs.

Trend - Brands are creating wearable water reservoirs, or bladders, with hands-free bite vales that allow users to drink while moving. These pouches help active consumers stay hydrated during outdoor activities without having to stop to refill water bottles constantly.

Insight - Active consumers frequently seek products that enable them to maximize their workouts and concentrate without any disruptions. In response, brands are developing portable hydration solutions for situations where refilling standard water bottles might be difficult or impractical. Businesses that respond to the demand for convenient and highly portable fitness solutions are well-positioned to thrive in today's health-conscious market.

Trend - Brands are increasingly launching cooling devices to relieve individuals experiencing hot flashes, a common symptom during menopause. These products regulate body temperature and alleviate discomfort caused by sudden heat sensations, benefitting consumers seeking effective and tailored solutions.

Insight - Consumers struggling with menopause symptoms are seeking out non-invasive products to help minimize or relieve their symptoms. In response, brands are creating technology-based solutions to provide personalized support and help consumers navigate their reproductive health more effectively. Companies that address the demand for non-invasive femtech products can attract consumers seeking convenient and personalized health solutions for their everyday needs.

Trend - Restaurants and CPG brands are adding dried pepper mixes to iced beverages to add an extra level of refreshing flavor. Previously a more niche product in North America, big-name restaurants are entering the space, leading to spiced beverages becoming more commonplace.

Insight - Spicy products have continued to grow in popularity in the Western World, with studies reporting incremental increases in popularity year over year, particularly from 2019 onwards. This rise in popularity can be attributed to various consumer demands, such as globalization, or the desire for variety, novelty, and healthier products, as many peppers are rich in vitamins and feature antioxidants. In recognition of these desires, brands are infusing peppers into non-traditional beverages.

Trend - Beverage brands are creating healthy lemonade-based products in convenient formats. These RTD lemonades include detoxifying, immune system-building, and energy-boosting ingredients. The strong flavor of lemonade masks the healthy ingredients, making the drinks palatable for all ages.

Insight - As more consumers prioritize proactive or preventative health practices, they increasingly seek products that go beyond basic nutritional values. These consumers are more likely to purchase products rich in vitamins, antioxidants, or other supplements, as a way to support their overall well-being in a non-intrusive way. Brands are acknowledging the need for crafting healthier products that are easy to integrate into daily lives, and are responding with better-for-you infused lemonades.

Trend - Beverage brands are crafting specialty lemonades made with matcha. Matcha is used for its smooth earthy taste and subtle sweetness, as this balances out the sharp sours and tangs of lemonade blends. These flavor combinations cater to consumers looking for familiar flavors in novel combinations.

Insight - Consumers in the West, particularly the younger Gen Alpha, Gen Z, and Millennial generations, are growing increasingly accustomed to global cultural influences in food and beverage products. These consumers have adopted new flavor preferences, with drinks such as bubble tea or matcha lattes becoming staples. These consumers are more likely to purchase products with new and unique flavor pairings. In recognition of this, lemonade brands are launching more experimental flavor combinations.

Trend - Automotive manufacturers are launching new vehicles inspired by retro designs. These cars blend retro aesthetics with modern features, such as electric engines, network connectivity, or motion sensors. Often limited-edition products, these vehicles capture nostalgia without compromising on comforts.

Insight - While more consumers adopt electric vehicles (EVs) each year, there are still large subsets of drivers that prefer traditional gas-powered vehicles. Whether due to aesthetics or function, these consumers are hesitant to adopt EVs, despite these vehicles often being more environmentally friendly, having lower costs of ownership, and having more modern features. In an attempt to accelerate EV adoption amongst these consumers, brands are tapping into retro designs to capitalize on nostalgia.