Consumer
Insights

Trend - Restaurants and bars are leaning into cultural flavors to diversify alcoholic offerings. One such cultural flavor is chai, with bars creating cocktails blended with tea and spices to compliment the palate. These are designed to offer the benefits and flavors of tea and the social aspect of drinking.

Insight - Amongst consumers who go out to drink, there is a continually-growing trend of those who simply drink socially, and do not care as much about the effects of the drink, and are instead drawn to the rich flavors of mixed drinks, and the connections formed over mutual drinking. These consumers are more likely to try drinks and cocktails with unique flavors, particularly when the alcohol flavor is mitigated. Bars are catering to both these consumers and more adventurous drinkers with chai martinis.

Trend - Restaurants are blending Chinese sichuan peppercorn spices and oils, often referred to as numbing spice because of its effects, with the popular American burger to offer unique flavors and experiences. These burgers could be beef, chicken, or vegetarian, to appeal to all fans of the fast-food item.

Insight - Fast food and street food restaurants are highly experimentative. Popular fast food brands release limited-time products nearly weekly in order to see what unique flavor combinations will become the next big trend. As a result, fast food consumers have become drawn to new menu items, even if they only try each new item a single time. To appeal to these consumers and offer a unique cultural flavor profile, burger restaurants are incorporating Sichuan peppercorn numbing spices.

Trend - Chinese food and Japanese sushi restaurants alike are beginning to roll out fried cream cheese wonton as an appetizer dish. The combination of cream cheese with a traditional Chinese wonton leads to a crispy, oily shell that houses savory cream cheese, often served with sweet & sour dipping sauce.

Insight - Consumers who frequently choose to dine-out often find themselves either searching for a new place to enjoy, or defaulting back to one of their favorites. When searching for a new restaurant, one important factor is variety and uniqueness. In order to differentiate themselves from other restaurants while offering a new appetizer for consumers who may not eat meat, or may not want a protein-heavy appetizer, restaurants are launching crispy fried cheese wontons paired with dipping sauces.

Trend - Foodservice companies, often in partnership with dairy brands, and CPG brands, are launching frozen yogurt bark treats. These are designed to offer the benefits of yogurt without the hassle of requiring a spoon and a dish, as the frozen bark is more comparable to a cookie than traditional yogurt.

Insight - All consumers, including health-conscious ones with strict diets, are susceptible to cravings. Whether it be craving something sweet or craving a specific texture, humans are drawn to variety. For the health-conscious consumer, snacks like hard candies, cookies, and other solid sugary desserts may be avoided entirely. In order to offer these consumers a way to indulge their cravings without compromising on their health regimens, brands are releasing frozen yogurt bark treats.

Trend - Luxury brands are launching premium products and services specifically designed for postpartum recovery, ranging from specialized skincare to recovery garments and wellness programs. These offerings emphasize both physical healing and emotional wellbeing while maintaining the elevated experience associated with luxury goods.

Insight - The traditional approach to postpartum care in North America has often left new mothers feeling unsupported and overlooked during their recovery period. As conversations around maternal health become more open, consumers are demanding products that acknowledge both the physical and emotional complexity of the postpartum period. This demographic has significant purchasing power and is willing to invest in products and services that make them feel valued and cared for during a vulnerable time.

Trend - Financial technology companies are disrupting traditional payroll systems by offering earned wage access services, allowing employees to access their accrued wages before scheduled payday. This innovation is increasingly being offered as an employee benefit by organizations seeking to provide greater financial flexibility to their workforce.

Insight - Financial stress and rigid payment schedules can create significant challenges for workers who need access to their earned income between pay periods. As the gig economy and financial technology evolve, consumers increasingly expect greater flexibility and immediacy in their financial transactions. This shift is driving demand for services that provide more control over when and how employees can access their earned wages, reflecting a broader cultural movement toward personalized, on-demand financial solutions that better align with modern lifestyles and needs.

Trend - Barbecue and grilling brands are releasing indoor smoker grills with air filters for safe use. These grills are designed to offer the benefits of smoker grills, but with year-round accessibility, as they do not require outdoor ventilation. These grills are often compact countertop varieties.

Insight - Consumers with outdoor grills or barbecues often use these devices not only for the flavor of meat they produce, but also for the community-drive, social aspects of barbecues. Amongst these consumers, preferences vary greatly between charcoal grills, electric grills, and more. However, one common complaint amongst all users is the seasonality of grills, with them only being usable during warmer months. Brands are adhering to these desires with safe indoor smoker grills.

Trend - Haircare brands are launching multi-functional heat styling tools that combine blow-drying capabilities with straightening, curling, or styling features. These all-in-one devices aim to streamline the hair styling process while reducing overall heat exposure.

Insight - Time-pressed consumers are increasingly seeking efficient solutions that help them maintain their personal care routines without compromising on results. This drive for efficiency extends beyond just saving time – it also reflects a growing awareness of the damaging effects of repeated heat styling and a desire to minimize exposure to high temperatures. By combining multiple functions into single devices, brands are appealing to consumers who want to simplify their routines while still achieving salon-quality results at home.

Trend - While nitrogen-infused coffee has become mainstream through major coffee chains and ready-to-drink products, beverage manufacturers are now expanding nitrogen infusion into new categories including tea, juice, and non-alcoholic craft beverages. This technique creates a uniquely smooth, creamy mouthfeel and visual appeal without adding calories or dairy.

Insight - Contemporary consumers are increasingly seeking novel sensory experiences in their everyday products, particularly in the beverage space where innovation has become a key differentiator. This desire for experimentation aligns with growing health consciousness, as consumers look for ways to enhance their beverages without adding sugar or artificial ingredients.

Trend - Hair care brands are launching peptide-based serums and treatments that leverage amino acid technology traditionally found in skincare. These products promise enhanced hair health through molecular-level nourishment, targeting concerns like growth, strength, and damage repair.

Insight - Contemporary consumers are increasingly interested in understanding the science behind their beauty products, driven by education through social platforms like TikTok's beauty communities. This growing sophistication has led to a demand for products that offer more than surface-level solutions. As consumers become more knowledgeable about ingredients and cellular processes, they're seeking out treatments that work at a molecular level, reflecting a broader shift toward viewing beauty through a scientific lens rather than purely cosmetic one.