Youthfulness

Trend - Plush keychains and "blind box"-style collectibles are gaining traction among Gen Z consumers. Often attached to purses, backpacks, and other accessories, these toys infuse individuality into everyday items, allowing consumers to tap into their inner child through cartoon aesthetics and characters.

Insight - Gen Z consumers often seek comfort in the "cutesy" aesthetics and characters reminiscent of their childhood, using them as a grounding force in times of change and uncertainty. These consumers turn to plush toys and collectibles, which offer a sense of community and a way to express their unique personalities while navigating everyday life. Businesses that align with this desire for personal expression and nostalgia are well-positioned to attract and engage younger consumers.

Trend - Sanrio's Hello Kitty is venturing into the snacking space through a number of innovative brand collaborations. From candies to ice cream, these treats combine the character's charm with delectable flavors, allowing fans to express their love for the cartoon cat in a delicious and adorable way.

Insight - Consumers of all ages are naturally drawn to products that evoke feelings of nostalgia and playfulness, often as a way to escape the routines of everyday life. The universal charm and adorable aesthetics of Hello Kitty make her an ideal choice for treat branding that resonates with both adults and children. These products offer more than just flavor—they create a genuine emotional connection, allowing consumers to indulge in a sense of whimsy and youthful joy through everyday purchases.

Trend - Bubble tea restaurants are launching new seasonal flavors inspired by traditional pumpkin spice lattes. This blending of a traditional fall dessert flavor with the bubble tea format is designed to offer more variety to fans of both respective products.

Insight - Younger consumers ranging from younger Millennials to Gen Alpha, are more drawn to loaded dessert-style beverages, such as bubble tea, than those of previous generations. These consumers treat bubble tea as a social experience. As these drinks continue to become ritualized in consumers' lives, demand for new flavors and experiences goes up in turn. In order to cater to the ever-growing demand for flavor diversity, bubble tea restaurants are looking to popular seasonal flavors for inspiration.

Trend - Brands across the personal care industry are creating both edible and applied supplements with Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) or Nicotinamide Riboside (NR), which is a precursor to the coenzyme. These chemicals fight cellular decline, promote cell health, and increase metabolism.

Insight - In the health and beauty industry, anti-aging claims and metabolism-boosting claims appear on everything from daily supplements to haircare products. However, with so many products claiming these benefits, it is difficult for consumers to find those that definitively offer these benefits. As a result, many brands across the beauty and personal care industries are turning to chemistry to show that the chemicals in their products are backed by science and demonstrably effective.

Trend - Brands are developing educational, tutoring-style programs to teach seniors how to use digital technologies and navigate the online world effectively. These programs aim to reduce the likelihood of seniors falling victim to scams while teaching basic computer skills, social media, and online safety.

Insight - As emerging technologies continue to revolutionize various industries, older generations are actively seeking ways to enhance their media literacy. In response, programs have been developed to teach device operation and online safety, providing essential support for those needing help acclimating to the digital age. Businesses that offer support and resources to senior consumers can tap into a large and often underserved market segment, unlocking new opportunities for growth and brand loyalty.

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 - "Bed rotting," a new trend sweeping TikTok, involves staying in bed for extended periods to engage in passive activities like eating snacks, watching TV, and scrolling through devices. This trend is particularly popular among Generation Z, who are increasingly turning to this form of self-care to combat burnout.

Insight - Gen Z is leading the charge for mental well-being. This generation is acutely aware of the pressures and demands of modern life, leading them to seek out unconventional methods of relaxation that allow for complete mental and physical disengagement. By normalizing the idea of taking extended breaks to simply rest, Gen Z is challenging societal norms that equate busyness with success.

Trend - Brands in the personal care space are creating organic sunscreens designed for infant use. These sunscreens are devoid of harmful ingredients and are easy to wash off. These sunscreens are designed to reduce sun damage for infants, preventing skin irritations and ensuring healthy development.

Insight - While sunscreen has always been a popular part of consumers' daily skincare routines in the summer, social media platforms have drawn attention to the damaging effects of the sun, with such videos going viral. Consumers are now more actively wearing sunscreens, while parents ensure their children do the same. With a focus on regions with more sun exposure throughout the year, brands are now releasing specially formulated infant sunscreens for year-round daily use, even outside of the summer.

Trend - Personal care brands are creating leave-in hair treatments designed to detangle, protect, and vitalize hair. The key ingredient is soy protein which has been shown to produce more resilient and healthy hair, resulting in fewer split ends or breakages, particularly for consumers with longer, thicker hair.

Insight - The ever-growing popularity of the self-care and haircare industries has led to products becoming refined and mature, with consumers becoming intimately knowledgeable of commonly-used ingredients and their specific effects, whether in general or to their specific bodies. The sophistication of the industry leads consumers to opt for more organic ingredients with proven positive benefits. Brands are recognizing these desires and are turning to natural inclusions such as soy protein.

Trend - Cosmetics brands are creating haircare products with microbiome-supporting formulas. By including probiotics, prebiotics, and stem-cell supporting ingredients, these products are designed to provide both a balanced pH level and a natural protective barrier for the scalp.

Insight - Health and beauty consumers, particularly from younger generations, are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of preventative care. This leads to practices such as wearing sunscreen, moisturizing, and using organic products, to get ahead of skin imperfections. This has led to these consumers recognizing the importance of scalp care in terms of healthy hair development. Brands are addressing the needs of these groups with scalp microbiome-supporting care products.