Multisensation

Trend - Brands are creating passive pop-ups, such as billboards or signposts, that beget consumers to engage with only a brief action. These are more engaging than regular billboards while not requiring much time from consumers. Additionally, brands do not need to staff these pop-ups, thus reducing costs.

Insight - The average person living in a major city faces hundreds of advertisements a day. To this extent, most simply filter out regular ads, leading to brands not leaving a lasting impression. While some brands try to launch full-scale pop-up events that invite consumers to explore a detailed activation, not all consumers have spare time for such activities, leading to brands finding a middle ground for pop-ups that beget enough interaction to leave an impression, but do not intrude on daily schedules.

Trend - As rage rooms become popular among consumers, brands are replicating this activity in their activations to craft a memorable experience that is also an effective outlet for stress reduction. This controlled environment allows individuals to release built-up frustration in a tangible, expressive way.

Insight - Consumers increasingly face stress from demanding work environments, social pressures, and global uncertainties. However, traditional relief methods may not always suffice. In response, companies are integrating various wellness practices into their activations to help alleviate consumer stress and create opportunities for consumers to engage with their products. Brands catering to the demand for wellness experiences appeal to consumers looking to invest in their physical and mental well-being.

Trend - Computer hardware brands are releasing power supplies with modular designs that enable users to use only the necessary connectors. This saves space and improves aesthetics in custom builds by reducing clutter. Previously exclusive to higher-end PSUs, even budget devices are adopting modularity.

Insight - Consumer technology enthusiasts frequently build their own custom devices, whether as a hobby or as a cost-saving measure compared to buying prebuilt units. When building their own devices, consumers on a budget often prioritize high-performance components, while on the higher-end of the cost spectrum, aesthetics also become an important factor. Hardware brands are trying to appeal to both consumer segments by launching affordable devices with aesthetic benefits.

Trend - Outdoor gadget brands are integrating mosquito-repelling features into less traditional devices. These multifunctional devices, such as lights, speakers, or air purifiers, repel unwanted insects from camping areas, ensuring consumers can enjoy their outdoor activities uninhibited.

Insight - Consumers who spend a lot of time outside, such as those who frequently enjoy camping, barbecues, or even simply spending time on their patio, know the struggles associated with unwanted insects, such as mosquitos or bees. However, many of these consumers are not willing to invest in a device specifically to repel the insects, as this may not fit in their budgets. In response to this, brands are integrating mosquito-repelling technologies into outdoor gadgets that would be purchased regardless.

Trend - Home electronics manufacturers are creating speakers with colored lighting effects. These lighting effects are designed to replicate times of day, such as bright orange colors in the morning, or soft gray colors at night, which is shown to improve sleep quality, morning comfort, and happiness.

Insight - Many consumers fall into repetitive habits in their daily lives, with not every habit being beneficial to ones health. Long work hours make it difficult for individuals to find time for social lives while still maintaining healthy sleep habits, causing insomnia or seasonal depression. These consumers are willing to invest in natural products that make sleeping easier, leading to brands releasing speakers with ambient lighting effects designed to replicate the sun and restore circadian rhythm.

Trend - Snacks that combine hot and sweet flavors are being released to diversify snack offerings. These snacks, referred to as 'Swicy' in flavor, are made by mixing traditionally sweet foods with spicy ingredients, such as hot sauces or peppers. This results in unique flavors for younger consumers.

Insight - The recent boom in popularity of spicy foods in the west has led to younger consumers, namely Gen Z and Gen Alphas, growing up more accustomed to spicy flavors than other generations. As a result, these consumers desire more adventurous flavors in all dishes, whether it be a snack, meal, or dessert. Brands are capitalising off of the popularity of spicy foods and the desire for strong flavors by mixing spicy and sweet flavors into countless unique products.

Trend - Product packaging is increasingly being adapted to serve a function in conjunction with or separately from the primary offering. These packaging methods are predominantly employed in food and body care advancements, offering consumers functionality comparable to the product.

Insight - Modern consumers often value novel and interactive experiences and desire products with packaging that is as useful as the product itself. In response, brands are designing packaging with functional elements, aiming to provide buyers with a tangible experience that sparks excitement or surprise upon interaction. Businesses focusing on experiential product designs can appeal to consumers who prioritize novelty and immersive experiences in their purchases.

Trend - Personal care companies are creating haircare products with a larger focus on unique, strong fragrances. The companies aim to increase fragrance customization and variety without compromising on function or price, thus further enabling personal expression through scent

Insight - Consumers that participate in daily health and beauty routines, particularly across the Asia-Pacific regions, are increasingly prioritizing unique fragrances in products. These consumers desire strong fragrances that last throughout the day and complement their personality, as prolonged exposure to the fragrances improves their moods and makes regular tasks more enjoyable. The ideal product for these consumers features a strong fragrance and does not compromise on function or affordability.

Trend - There is a renewed interest in culinary arts in the TikTok era that also impacts the world of nightlife and drinking. A new era of cocktail fascination is emerging, with mixology treated as an area of interest among consumers. Mixology hobbyists are more interested in flavor combinations and sensorial experience than the simple act of drinking.

Insight - This repositioning of mixology speaks to members of Gen Z who consume less alcohol than their predecessors, but still enjoy the ritual of social drinking. It introduces a new avenue for consumers who lean more sober-curious. With more focus on the craft and alternative functions of cocktails or mocktails, this group can focus on exploring flavor and texture. To these consumers, this pursuit is more about self-expression and immersion into a new topic of interest than sheer consumption.

Trend - Independent handheld gaming device manufacturers are creating devices with clamshell designs, screens that fold closed when not in use, for nostalgic appeal. These devices protect their own screens, not requiring a case or screen protector, while enhancing ergonomic comfort with viewing angles.

Insight - Many consumers of today recall when gaming devices were focused on compact sizes, portability, and unique designs. Gaming handhelds from the 90s and 2000s were often made of plastic, featured clamshell designs, and were limited to simple games. Today, handheld gaming has evolved to shrunken-down full-blown computers. However, many older gamers do not resonate with this type of gaming, and yearn for the simplicity of retro games. Companies are addressing these desires with clamshell devices.