Experience

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 - Brands are introducing new experiences to foster the creative growth of Generation Alpha consumers. These experiences promote hands-on engagement with the physical world, encourage real-time social interactions, and inspire exploration of their surroundings without using digital devices.

Insight - As Generation Alpha's presence in the digital realm grows, brands are recognizing the need to balance screen time with real-world engagement. To address this, these organizations are now launching in-person events and activities designed to engage Gen Alpha in a different, more tactile way. Businesses that meet the desire for screen-free activities can attract parents and children who prioritize tangible skills and real-world experiences.

Trend - Luxury fragrance brands are crafting scents that belong to the gourmand category but feature unconventional or unusual food notes. These fragrances boast eccentric compositions, appealing to adventurous individuals seeking olfactory experiences beyond the ordinary.

Insight - Luxury consumers frequently seek unique sensory experiences beyond the norm, showcasing a desire to develop and express their distinct styles. Consequently, luxury brands are creating highly specialized fragrances to attract fresh demographics and provide a means for personal expression through scent. Businesses that cater to the demand for luxury niches can appeal to consumers who value exclusivity and unique experiences.

Trend - Luxury brands are creating fragrance sample kits that allow consumers to explore a variety of scents before committing to a full-size bottle. These kits deliver a curated and exclusive fragrance experience, allowing shoppers to explore different scents and find ones that suit their style and mood.

Insight - Luxury consumers often desire products that offer the same immersive and personalized customer journey they receive when shopping in stores. In response, luxury fragrance brands are introducing discovery kits to craft virtual experiences mirroring the same standards of sensory exploration and personalized guidance. Businesses that cater to consumers seeking hands-on product demonstrations can attract those who prioritize experiential and customized products.

Trend - Restaurants are offering limited-time promotions related to the unofficial 4/20 holiday. These include lowered prices and large food bundles, with a focus on easy-to-eat foods such as burgers or nuggets, which helps build relationships with consumers who celebrate the cannabis-related holiday.

Insight - As more countries and states legalize recreational marijuana use, the number of adults who engage with cannabis-related products increases. This number grows larger on April 20th, leading to many consumers looking for ways to complement their celebrations, such as with fast-food meals or snacks, also known as "munchies." Restaurants are acknowledging the large base of individuals who celebrate 4/20, and are launching cost-effective promotions to capture this market.

Trend - Wallet loyalty programs are gaining prominence as consumers show increasing reluctance to download multiple apps for brand engagements. Brands are offering loyalty cards through Apple Wallet and Google Wallet as a seamless way to integrate loyalty cards directly into consumer smartphones.

Insight - In today's consumer landscape, convenience is a paramount factor that significantly influences brand interactions and loyalty strategies. Modern consumers, particularly digital natives, prioritize efficiency and seamless integration in their transactions, expecting quick and effortless interactions that mesh with their daily routines. This shift has compelled brands to rethink traditional loyalty strategies, which often felt cumbersome or disconnected from a digital-first experience.

Trend - The matcha beverage landscape is evolving, enriched by the introduction of colorful variants such as pink, red, blue, and orange matchas. In a time when both the aesthetic appeal and nutritional benefits of food and drinks are highly valued, there's a notable trend towards inventive, Instagram-worthy choices that offer more than mere flavor.

Insight - The rise of mocktails and "sleepy girl cocktails" is reshaping at-home drinking culture, focusing on mindful, non-alcoholic options. This trend towards health-conscious, innovative beverages caters to a desire for unique, relaxing drinking experiences. As consumers prioritize wellness and novelty, there's a market opportunity for brands to offer drinks that combine taste, health benefits, and visual appeal, highlighting a shift towards beverages that support a lifestyle of mindful indulgence and self-care.

Trend - Magnesium, an essential mineral celebrated for its potent sleep-enhancing benefits, is experiencing a surge in popularity, especially as a prime ingredient in health supplements like gummies. With growing awareness of how magnesium contributes to better sleep quality, longer sleep duration, and the regulation of sleep-wake cycles, consumers are increasingly seeking out magnesium-infused gummies and supplements.

Insight - Popularity of natural sleep aids and supplements reflects a growing consumer preference for holistic and drug-free ways to improve health, especially sleep. As the importance of sleep is better understood, people are more interested in natural methods to get a good night's rest. Trusted health figures like podcast hosts and fitness influencers play a role in this trend. Their science-backed and personal endorsements give consumers confidence in natural solutions for better sleep.

Trend - Cannabis is increasingly being used to enhance intimacy and sexual experiences. Often consumed orally, the substance is embraced due to claims that it potentially affects arousal, relaxation, and sensation during intimate moments, offering users a new way to explore and connect with their partners.

Insight - Consumers looking to address intimacy-related issues often desire products that allow them to have a more pleasurable and enjoyable experience. In response, brands are developing cannabis products that emphasize aphrodisiac-like properties, aiming to help consumers relax their bodies and heighten sensations during intimate moments. Brands meeting the demand for cannabis-based lifestyle products can attract consumers valuing brands attuned to their evolving needs and preferences.

Trend - Restaurants and CPG brands are creating bubble waffles and mixes made with meal-like ingredients. Bubble waffles are versatile, allowing for nearly any type of filling while maintaining a bite-sized and shareable shape. These are easy to prepare and offer new ways of experiencing well-known flavors.

Insight - Foodie consumers continually desire novelty food experiences; whether it pertains to the recipes, preparation method, or food format, these consumers are willing to experiment to see what works for them. The rise of cross-dish experimentation, spurred on by more adventurous customers, has led to the creation of hybrid dishes such as curry hamburgers. In aiming to address the needs of these consumers, brands are turning to savory bubble waffles for their versatility and convenience in preparation.