Hybridization

Trend - While CBD-infused bath bombs have long been popular, cannabis brands are now releasing bath bombs infused with THC. This adds a minor 'body high' psychoactive element to the calming nature of CBD bath bombs, enhancing overall relaxation. These also offer benefits to skin, hair, and nail health.

Insight - As cannabis products become legal in more states and countries, consumer interest and willingness to engage with such products grows in turn. While some adults still avoid using these products, those who do consume cannabis-related products do so for a variety of reasons including anti-inflammatory benefits, relaxation, improvements to skin health, or stress-relieving properties. Brands are now releasing THC-infused products with minimal psychoactive properties to offer these benefits.

Trend - Brands are making portable espresso makers designed for camping and travel applications. These are durable with long-lasting batteries, often including secondary features such as lights or app connectivity. Portable espresso makers target the traveling on-the-go or outdoorsy adult demographic.

Insight - Many adults today live with busy schedules and only a select amount of free time. As a result, these consumers look to save time and effort in their day wherever possible. For some, this means meal planning and scheduling, while others turn to smart apps and digital solutions to save time and money. Appliance brands and startups are appealing to these consumers, often through crowdfunding, by launching a compact espresso makers designed for portability and reliability,

Trend - Hardware manufacturers are creating laptops with two built-in screens. The added screen enhances productivity when needed, which is valuable for remote or hybrid workers. The second built-in screen also subverts the need for additional displays or accessories, adding convenience and portability.

Insight - Remote and hybrid workers often turn to laptops as their primary devices. Often for simplicity and portability, such as the ability to work in coffee shops, laptops are preferred over desktops for these workers, despite the relative loss to productivity. Brands are now aiming to blend the productivity of desktops with the portability and convenience of laptops in order to better market to these consumers, leading to the creation of laptops with built-in secondary displays.

Trend - Child-centric and medical-grade personal care brands are launching foam toothpastes. Available with and without flavors, these toothpastes are less abrasive, which is more comfortable for many children with sensory-related challenges, while not having to sacrifice any cleaning effectiveness.

Insight - Parents raising children with conditions that require extra care, whether physical, mental, or otherwise, quickly learn how difficult it is to find the proper product for their children's needs. These parents are used to shopping online, whether from large marketplaces or individual brands, as many big box stores do not carry special needs items, such as special diet foods or clothes without certain fabrics or dyes. Brands knowledgable of this space are launching sensory toothpastes for kids.

Trend - Game developers are implementing live billboard advertisements into their games. These advertisements are non-intrusive, meaning they exist in the game world but do not inhibit the players' interaction with the games. This is a value-add for advertisers while adding legitimacy to the game world.

Insight - When working with partnered clients, it is important for gaming brands to strike a balance between meeting the needs of advertisers while not hindering the experience of its players. While many free-to-play games result to timed video advertisements that interrupt gameplay, this is a negative experience for most players, as it interrupts the flow of the game, causing a negative perception of the ad. To more seamlessly advertise to players, developers are turning to seamless in-game advertising.

Trend - Gourmet, multi-course tasting menus traditionally served at high-end restaurants are now being delivered directly to consumers' homes. These menus offer a curated selection of the restaurant's most famous dishes, providing a fine dining experience without visiting a restaurant.

Insight - Wealthy consumers frequently seek novel dining options that offer an extravagant experience free from the formalities and dress codes associated with fine-dining restaurants. In response, restaurants are partnering with popular food delivery platforms to deliver exclusive tasting menus to consumers who want to enjoy a multi-course feast from their homes. Companies tapping into this heightened demand for upscale takeout options can attract discerning consumers seeking premium experiences.

Trend - Restaurants are partnering with social media-viral chefs and foodie influencers to create menus that resonate with younger audiences. These menus take inspiration from popular recipes and transform them in unique ways to differentiate themselves from competitors.

Insight - Short-form video platforms have contributed to a rise in consumer foodie culture. Algorithms have made it easy for unique, tasteful recipes to gain worldwide attention at a rapid rate. As a result of this, both professional and hobbyist chefs have taken to these platforms to share their takes on recipes, with many quickly gaining virality. In order to capitalize off of the popularity of these videos, restaurants are partnering with these creators to develop curated viral menus for patrons.

Trend - Automotive brands are becoming increasingly involved in the consumer technology industry by releasing co-branded smartphones, computers, components, and accessories. These products come with the established credibility of both respective brands, leading to rapid growth within the space.

Insight - Brand identity plays a key factor for most consumers when searching for new products. Brands commonly regarded as household names often get preferential treatment when two products are perceived to be equal. For many consumers, this is true even for products outside of the respective companies' typical industries. In order to capitalize off the preference for established brands, automotive companies are partnering with consumer electronics companies on co-branded offerings in both spaces.

Trend - Brands in the micromobility space are further embracing sustainability through the incorporation of hydrogen fuel cells. When compared to lithium-ion batteries, these fuel cells charge significantly faster, use fewer resources, and are less prone to heat-induced damage.

Insight - Consumers who get into the micromobility space do so for a variety of reasons, often related to either convenience, cost, or environmental concerns. While traditional bikes offered these benefits over gas-powered vehicles as well, electric bikes boast more utility for these consumers, leading to many regarding them as vehicle replacements. Brands in the space are now pushing both the convenience and environmental friendliness even further by crafting ebikes with hydrogen fuel cells.

Trend - Kitchen appliance brands are releasing compact range hoods designed to sit on a countertop. These hoods are not permanent fixtures, as per the norm, and are instead portable, meaning they can be stored away when not in use. These hoods are designed for homes that are more strict on space.

Insight - As the cost of living continues to rise to crisis levels, consumers are tasked with saving money wherever possible. For homeowners, this often means investing in smaller, more affordable alternatives to full-size appliances or tools. Simple everyday devices, such as ovens or refrigerators, can be expensive and cumbersome to fit in more modest homes. As a result of this, brands in the kitchen appliance space are releasing lower-cost, more portable solutions.