Gifting apps offer more than material goods for experience-driven consumers
Implications - Going beyond gift cards and edible products, gifting apps are turning to more experiential offerings to make gifted experiences more memorable. Allowing consumers to surprise others with curated activities, hotel stays and even adventurous excursions, these apps showcase a shift away from material goods toward more engaging, social alternatives.
Workshop Question - How is your brand appealing to modern consumers' preference for experiences over products?
Trend Themes
1. Experiential Gifting - There’s an evident shift towards more experiential gift-giving which is aimed at making gifted experiences more memorable.
2. Curated Tourism Apps - App which curates local travel tips to showcase hidden local tourism spots as well as steering consumers in the direction of localized finds and experiences.
3. Gift-giving Dating Platforms - Dating apps are building features to expand into real-world experiences; this feature allows their users to send drinks or flowers to potential matches which help them stand out from the competition.
Industry Implications
1. Travel and Tourism Industry - Tourism platforms and apps are increasingly focusing on providing localized and unique experiences to those who are looking for an authentic travel experience.
2. E-commerce Industry - More businesses are picking up on the trend of experiential gift-giving, with online marketplaces being a popular place to purchase such gifts.
3. Dating and Social Networking Industry - Dating apps are expanding beyond online communication and looking for opportunities to connect in-person in the real world to help their users form more impressive relationships.
