From virtual apartment tours to virtual cooking services, the May 2020 market trends showcase how businesses across various industries are responding to the impacts presented by the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent social distancing regulations.
Notably, the service industry is still looking for ways to connect to consumers and have implemented an array of online services including ChowNow. The platform allows restaurants to add an ‘Order Food’ button to their Instagram page, or through stickers in their story, so when they showcase a dish, customers can easily order it without having to shift through various delivery platforms.
The May 2020 market trends also showcases ways brands are optimizing freelance-employees, with British online cosmetic retailer Lookfantastic debuting an influencer program to showcase new products while maintain social distance.
Top 30 Market Trends in May
30
Virtual Apartment Tours
The Zillow Platform Facilitates Rentals During Social Distancing
29
Freelancer Beauty Opportunities
Lookfantastic Opens Influencer Programme to Struggling Freelancers
28
Beauty Retailer Subscription Boxes
Sephora is Replacing Its Play! Box with the Sephora Luxe Box
27
Bulk Food Ingratiate Platforms
The Pepper App Will Now Deliver Bulk Food Items to Consumers
26
Locally Oriented Shopping Apps
Shopify Has a New Shopping App with a Faster Checkout Experience
25
Social Media Food Ordering
ChowNow Added a Food Ordering Feature for Restaurants on Instagram
24
Hospital Convenience Pop-Ups
7-Eleven and Children's Health's Store Supports Healthcare Workers
23
Virus-Related Hospitality Resources
The Hotels Network Launched a Series of Best Practices
22
Pre-Paid Consumer Support Inniatives
East Fork is Asking Fans to Purchase Future Products
21
Integrated Food Deliveries Services
Tagme Food Solutions is a Management Platform for Restaurants
20
Crowdsourced Shopping Apps
The Live Lineups App Tracks Wait Times at Grocery Stores
19
Virtual Cooking Services
MilkCrate Launches a Virtual Culinary Service with a Professional Chef
18
Biometric Onboarding Platforms
IDEMIA Launched a New ID.X Identity Platform for Digital Security
17
Interactive Game Streaming Platforms
Genvid Technologies is Integrating Phones into Streaming
16
Sustainability-Focused Clothing Badges
Nike Created Branding for Sustainability-Focused Products
15
Marketing Platform Acquisitions
TapClicks Recently Purchased the AdStage Marketing Platform
14
Anti-Virus E-Commerce Initiatives
Amazon is Using Thermal Cameras to Screen Warehouse Employees
13
Search Engine Shopping Tabs
Google is Letting Businesses on the Shopping Tab Free of Charge
12
Remote Call Center Startups
JobHome Hires Motivated Employees Via a Home Office Work Model
11
Volunteer Grocery Vouchers
Aldi Launched a Volunteer Voucher Initiative for Vulnerable Customers
10
Small Business Credit Lines
Mercado Libre's Mercado Pago is Extending a R$600 Million Credit Line
9
AI-Integrated Sports Broadcasts
The NBA and Microsoft Will Collaborate on AI-Powered Game Viewing
8
Work-Finding App Sections
Uber Added a Work Hub to Its Platform for Temporarily Displaced Drivers
7
Nationwide Prescription Deliveries
Instacart is Expanding Delivery Options from Costco Pharmacy
6
Commission-Eliminated Music Platforms
Bandcamp Removed Commission Fees to Support Artists
5
Global Music Streaming Deals
Spotify and Warner Recently Entered into a Global Licensing Deal
4
Reduced Advertising Services Fees
Google is Eliminating Ad Fees for Select News Organizations
3
Intricate Multi-Layered Paint Jobs
Tesla Will Be Customizing Paint Jobs at Its Giga Berlin Factory
2
E-Commerce Virus Protections
Amazon Will Complete Temperature Checks on Warehouse Employees
1
Eclectically Powered RWD Vehicle Releases
Tesla is Releasing Its Long-Range RWD Model 3 in China
Related Ideas
Fake Food Delivery Apps
Korea's Viral Dopamine Shopping Sites Mimic the Online Ordering Experience
Grocery-Inspired Beauty Pop-Ups
The Markup Marché by The Ordinary Challenges Industry Buzzwords
Show-Inspired Marketplace Campaigns
Facebook Marketplace x Netflix Launch a Bridgerton Experience
Shoppable TV Ads
Samsung and Amazon Enable Remote-Based Shopping Directly on TV
AI-Driven Shoppable Catwalks
Topshop and THG Studios are Hosting a Next-Gen Fashion Experience
Connected Beverage Platforms
Coca-Cola Uses Freestyle Data to Create New Drinks Faster
Community-Driven Shopping Experiences
A TikTok Shop Pop-Up is Coming to Westfield Stratford
Conversational Shopping Experiences
Ask Pinterest Debuts on the Ask Pinterest App
Real-Life Mood-Board Transformations
Pinterest Launches the 'Bring My Pinterest to Life' Series
Fashion-Inspired Food Marketing
Magnum Blends Beauty, Music and Luxury Culture into Its Brand
Faux Food Pop-Ups
MoMA Design Store Unveils an Immersive 'MoMA Mart' Pop-Up for NYC
Fashion-Branded Café Experiences
Vogue Blends Retail with Immersive Hospitality Spaces
AI Merchant Onboarding Tools
DoorDash Launches Its AI Merchant Tools
Live Social Shopping Expansions
QVC® Announces New Brands That Will Join Its Roster in 2026
AI Retail Forecasts
Experts Outline how AI will Reshape Commerce By 2026
Creator-Led Beauty Retail
rhode Expands Across Sephora Europe After Strong Viral Demand
AI Shopping Integrations
Sephora’s ChatGPT App Enables AI-Powered Product Discovery
Marketplace-Based Auto Retail
Hertz Expands Certified Car Sales Through eBay’s Digital Platform
Beauty Retail Delivery Partnerships
Ulta Beauty Has Added 1500 Stores to the Uber Eats Marketplace
Bookable Kitchen Pop-Ups
KitchenAid Room To Host Elevates Holiday Hosting
Girl Dinner Experiences
Waverly Kitchen + Bar Curates Shareable Comfort Food Plates
AI-Assisted Marketing Tools
YouCam AI Pro Offers AI Business Avatar & AI Product Staging Tools
DTC Physical Retail Expansions
Povison Opens Its First Permanent Store in Los Angeles
Meal Kit Installations
HelloFresh's Giant Delivery Box Features a Real Family Sharing Dinner
Mobile Beauty Pop-Ups
Henkel’s göt2b Debuts a Citywide Mobile Beauty Experience
Renaissance-Inspired Curated Beauty Marketplaces
Rennaï Has Launched an E-Commerce Website
Virtual Clothing Tools
Virtual Try On Generates Realistic Clothing Images For Marketing And Social
Workplace Meal Culture
ezCater Shows Employee Food Programs Driving Office Engagement
Social Commerce Integrations
Ulta Beauty Launches a Creator-Driven TikTok Shop
AI Beauty Apps
Refresh App Combines Hair, Makeup and Styling in One AI Platform
Corporate Travel Trends
Navan Reported Its Corporate Booking Data for FIFA World Cup Host Cities
Social Commerce Supplements
youtheory Expands Wellness Sales Through TikTok Shop
Experiential Brand Cafés
Nutella Reimagines Its Chicago Café with Digital Ordering and a New Menu
Travel Grocery Delivery Services
The Grocery Delivery Airbnb Service Lets Guests Order in Advance
AI Agent Booking Systems
Fresha, Which Operates in Beauty & Wellness, Signals the Prevalence of AI
Website-Based Restaurant Customizations
The 'Wix Restaurant Experiences' Enables Unique Dining
Production-Led Live Commerce Events
P.Louise Launches Get Unteddy With Me on TikTok Shop
Mobile Luxury Boutiques
Mytheresa Tours the Hamptons with a Curated Mobile Boutique
Mid-Year Wellness Reports
ABC Fitness Calls Attention to The Reinforcement Shift
Next-Gen Consumer Goods Technologies
Unilever and Google Cloud Partner to Produce Strong Products
Curated Discovery Stores
The Shelf Spotlights Emerging Food, Drink and Wellness Brands
Experiential Grocery Campaigns
No Name launches a multi-city grocery goss campaign
Feedless Social Platforms
Bond Eliminates Feeds to Focus on Real-Life Experiences
Integrated Grocery-Shopping Apps
Airbnb is Testing an Integration with Instacart for Customers
Social-First Retail Commerce
Shoezone expands TikTok Shop through creator-led shopping
Behavior-Based Smart Homes
Google Home automations adapt to routines, moods, and behaviors
Curated Resale Experiences
Poshmark Blends Community Curation with Personalized Shopping
Photocopied Fast Food Campaigns
McDonald's Office Delivery Ads Scanned Popular Menu Items
Curated Grocery Platforms Rise
FirstClub Launches Its Curated Grocery Platform
Experience-Enhancing POS Retail Apps
MomentScience Reveals MomentApps
Lightweight Restaurant Apps
Curate Boosts Restaurant Loyalty with No-Download Apple App Clips
Streaming Series Food Ranges
Waitrose and Disney+ Partnered for an Exclusive Rivals Range
Powerful Household Appliance Lines
Maytag Spotlights Top-Rated Kitchen and Laundry Appliances
Shoppable Recipe Collaborations
ALDI and Digitas Launch ALDIfy to Deliver Trendy Shoppable Recipes
Dining Delivery Platform Partnerships
Toast and Uber Partnered to Streamline Operations
Food Delivery Football Campaigns
The Deliveroo Football Just Got Even Better Campaign is Immersive
Fintech Mobile Plans
Cash App Launches an Unlimited 5G Phone Service
Culinary Tradition Food Campaigns
The Merchant Gourmet 'Yes Chef!' Campaign is Running Now
Conversational Rental Finders
The RentCafe App in ChatGPT Helps with Finding a New Apartment
Super App Travel Features
Uber Added Hotel Bookings & Travel Tools at Its Go-Get Product Event
Video-First Food Ordering Experiences
CookUnity Acquired flavrs to Enhance Its Meal Service
Sports Lifestyle Retail
Nordstrom Blends World Cup Fashion with Immersive Pop-Ups
Customized Restaurant Campaign Platforms
OpenTable Has Launched OpenTable Media
Shoppable Microdramas
Crocs and SuperOrdinary Turn TikTok Storytelling Into Shopping Experiences
Real-Time Restaurant Reservation Services
Deliveroo Reservations Lets Users Browse Availability
Fashion-Beauty Convergence
Première Vision and Cosmetic Valley Unite Fashion and Beauty Brands
Multi-Revenue Fashion Platforms
Rent the Runway expands into resale, ads and cleaning services
Self-Expression Retail Campaigns
Tillys Marked Ten Months of Its Discover Your Style Campaign
Curated Resale Storefronts
eBay's The NYC Edit Storefront Shares Tastemaker Selections
Anti-Screen Summer Social Events
Eventbrite Presents 'The Offline Summer' Initiative
Social Travel Booking Platforms
TikTok GO Turns Creator Travel Videos Into Bookable Trips
Viral Bakery Reinventions
Sainsbury's Launches Dipped Croissants Inspired by Social Pastry Trends
Retail-Style Hotel Commerce
Aven Hospitality Embeds E-Commerce Features into Hotel Journeys
Personalized Telehealth Service Platforms
Enhanced Reports Success of the Inaugural Enhanced Games
Shoppable Cooking Platforms
Studiolink Recipe Connects Creators with Monetized Recipe Platforms
Menu Discovery Challenges
Original ChopShop's Feel Good Foodie Challenge Rewards Menu Exploration
Food Sharing Platforms
TotallyChefs Connects Users to Share and Discover Recipes Globally
Social-First Beauty Retailers
Sally Beauty Joins TikTok Shop
Ingredient-First Meal Planning
Kitchen2MyTable Helps Cooks Use Existing Ingredients
Community-Centric Fast Casual
The Stand Expands Community-Focused Restaurants Across California
AI Menu Optimization
Doordash Uses AI to Improve Menu Descriptions and Food Visuals
Creator-Led Beauty Commerce
Amazon India Combines Creator Content and Beauty Shopping
In-Store Creator Commerce
Mac Cosmetics Turns Retail Employees into Live-Streaming Creators
Expanded Visual Search Features
Amazon Unveiled Its Visual Search Capabilities in Shopping App
Regional Delivery Partnerships
GoTo Foods Expands Five Brands Through Favor Across Texas
Limited Release Selling Tools
Squarespace Launched Its Limited-Release Selling Suite
Circular Fashion Platforms
eBay Acquired Depop to Grow Its Fashion Resale Ecosystem
Attention Economy Agencies
VaynerX Launches Tamara Group to Drive Social-First Brand Relevance
Social Food Delivery Apps
The 'Zesty' App from DoorDash Helps Users Find New Restaurants
Foodie-Themed Singles Events
Knorr and Eventbrite are Connecting Singles in and Out of the Kitchen
AI-Driven Platform Updates
Yelp Spring Product Release 2026 Introduces the Yelp Assistant
AI Ordering Assistants
Alexa+ Introduces Conversational Food Ordering
Spatial Commerce Platforms
Curie Shop Brings Interactive Product Exploration To Sneaker Shopping
Interactive Real Estate Showrooms
DUNE Uses Eyefactive Touchscreens for Virtual Property Tours
Ad-Friendly Vertical Video Feeds
Instacart Debuts the Immersive Feed Feature on Its Platform
City-Focused Influencer Platforms
Storytime Launches Storytime Marketplace in Cities
Social-to-Outdoor Campaigns
Tribesigns Extends TikTok's Super Wish Campaign to Times Square
Nationwide Meal Delivery Services
WeCook Launches Nationwide Ready-To-Eat Meal Delivery in Canada
Hybrid Beauty Discovery
Ulta Beauty Finds Gen Alpha Blends AI Tools with In-Store Shopping
Physical-World Data Marketing
WPP Uses Google Earth AI to Predict Real-World Consumer Behavior
Food-Focused Social Platforms
Flavorist Expands Flavorist Food App Access to the General Public
Creator-Led Live Commerce
AliExpress Uses Livestreams to Showcase Verified Brands
Practical Hospitality-Focused Podcasts
Bielat Santore & Company Debuts New Restaurant Owners' Edge
Curated Wine Clubs
Majestic and Saturday Kitchen Pair Exclusive Wines with Chef Recipes
Social Media-Inspired Streaming Apps
The Netflix App Feed Will Introduce a TikTok-Like Style
Cost-Effective Confectionery Items
World of Sweets Highlights Key Easter Trends Amid Rising Costs
Festival-Inspired Resale Marketplaces
The Reloved Market Pop-Up Shares In-Demand Seasonal Styles
Omnichannel Seasonal Support Campaigns
Bestway Wholesale Launches 'Buzz About the Sweetest Deals'
Video-Based Mystery Shopping Technologies
Blaze Pizza Partners with Reality Based Group
Grocery Budgeting Assistants
SproutAI Optimizes Household Grocery Spending in Real Time
Digital Dining Platforms
Menu Restaurant Combines Online Ordering And Real Time Invoice Tracking
Product Discovery Communities
MillionShip Turns Product Discovery Into A Playful Experiences
AI-Enabled Dining Recommendations
DoorDash Ask Helps Users Curb Endless Scrolling
Restaurant Opening Lead Service
Flhip.com Offers Ready-to-Use Restaurant Opening Leads
Future-Facing Food Retailer Ranges
The Ocado Future of Food Edit Aisle Spotlights Modern Varieties
Private Chef Marketplaces
ChefMaison Connects Clients With Home Cooks, Chefs, And Caterers
Local Restaurant Activations
Pepsi Hosts Community Events to Drive Restaurant Discovery
Online Grocer-Led Cooking Shows
This Waitrose YouTube Series Targets Gen Z Shoppers
Service-Backed Recommerce Platforms
Commonplace Launches Marketplace With Built-In Delivery
Elevated Casual Fashion
RetailMeNot Spotlights Capri Pants as a Versatile Summer Staple
Food Delivery Solutions
'Food Delivery App Development Solutions' Help Businesses Launch Apps
Event-Centric Camping Experiences
Huttopia Hosts World Cup Viewing and Activities at Its Campsites
Interactive Fast-Casual Dining
Pepper Lunch Expands Its Sizzling DIY Dining Concept
Recipe Conversion Tools
CookTok Turns TikTok Cooking Clips Into Clear, Step-By-Step Recipes
Single Cook Connections
Knorr's #ServingSingles Empowers People to Spotlight Foodie Friends
Market Analytics Tools
Zabble Insights Turns Google Reviews Into Clear Business Intelligence
Valentine's Day Dining Research
OpenTable Compiles Data on Valentine's Day Dining Trends
Hyper-Local Guided Culinary Experiences
Tasty Tours Toronto Debuts New Guided Experiences
Conversational Booking Assistants
The New Yelp Assistant Helps Consumers Go Beyond Discovery
Click-And-Collect Pubs
Young’s Pubs Lets Customers Pre-Order Drinks for Bar Pickup
Swipe Interface Restaurant Platforms
'Foodie Call' Helps Users Find Options for Meals
Commission-Free Food Marketplaces
Lunchbox & OPA! Deliver Alternative to Third-Party Marketplaces
Marketplace Showrooms
StockX Combines Shopping, Seller Services and Community Events in New York
Rapid-Dispatch Domestic Services
Pronto Launches Pro Home 10-Minute Service Platform
Meal Delivery Brand Advantages
Clean Eatz Kitchen Signals to Its Advantages in the Market
Global Chef Marketplaces
Magical Chefs Connects Employers With Skilled Culinary Professionals
Food Delivery Platforms
Food Devilery App Development Builds Smart Secure Food Ordering Platforms
Unified Restaurant Management
FoodChow Streamlines POS, Ordering, And Marketing For Restaurants
Retail Conversation Marketing Campaigns
Tesco Launches 'Need Anything From Tesco' Platform
Restaurant App Templates
Restaurant Food Ordering App Enables QR-Based Menus With Flutter Code