Business Consumer Insights

Trend - Retailers are deploying in-store kiosks powered by artificial intelligence (AI). These AI kiosks interpret and make recommendations for consumers interacting with them, thus streamlining the retail process. The advent of AI kiosks also reduces the required staff and, thus, costs for retailers.

Insight - Smart technologies are arguably the largest contributor to the ever-increasing number of retailers with seamless, stress-free in-store experiences. Consumers who shop in-stores enjoy the benefits of assistance from employees, as well as the ability to demo items that they may not have known about prior to entering the store. To further improve these experiences for consumers, brands are launching smart kiosks that use AI to assist, make recommendations to, and process payments from, consumers.

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 - 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 - Postcard-making workshops are becoming a popular feature at pop-up events, offering guests a creative, hands-on way to connect with the brand. These interactive sessions allow participants to create a tangible, personalized product that delivers a message and introduces a new brand to the recipient.

Insight - Consumers seeking unique shopping experiences are increasingly drawn to events that facilitate personal connections with brands and encourage sharing the experience with loved ones. In response, brands are designing pop-ups that allow consumers to create personalized keepsakes for those in their lives and invite these individuals to experience the brand. By focusing on consumers' desire for shareable moments, brands can attract an audience that values community throughout the product journey.

Trend - Artificial Intelligence (AI) companies are launching tools that 'humanize' content generated by AI. These tools make writing sound more natural and fluid by using authentic writers to train the models, rather than the repetitive or robotic writing style of many writing tools

Insight - AI-powered tools continue to gain popularity in both professional and personal lives. One of the moat commonly used segments of AI includes generative tools that produce images, videos, or various forms of written content, such as emails or essays. However, one common complaint for many of these tools, particularly for written content, is the predictable, robotic tone. In order to make these tools more appealing to consumers with such complaints, companies are launching 'humanizing' services.

Trend - Electronic Bank Transfer (EBT) is becoming a standard payment method as consumers seek convenient and secure ways to pay for grocery deliveries. This payment method aims to help individuals relying on government assistance programs access essential food items with ease and dignity.

Insight - Food insecurities and rising living costs have driven many consumers to enroll in government assistance programs. As a response, grocery delivery platforms have increasingly begun to accommodate low-income consumers by adding support for SNAP/EBT payments, making it easier for these consumers to access essential goods. By prioritizing affordability and accessibility, businesses can demonstrate their dedication to supporting this demographic, fostering trust and building lasting relationships.

Trend - As GLP-1 weight management drugs gain popularity, food companies are responding by adjusting the ingredients and portions in their products. Particularly in the CPG market, retailers are offering smaller products richer in proteins and fibers, as there are more in-line with consumer needs.

Insight - GLP-1 weight management drugs in North America are causing dramatic shifts in the food and beverage industry. As the percentage of adults using these drugs continues to rise, consumers across North America are adjusting their consumption habits in turn. These consumers are becoming less likely to purchase unhealthy dessert foods, and are becoming more drawn to smaller meals with densely packed nutrients. As a result, CPG brands and restaurants are adjusting recipes to appeal to these consumers.

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 - 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 - Brands are using freeze-drying to better preserve the freshness and flavor of foods without extra additives or preservatives. This results in all-natural, organic products with authentic flavors. These snacks are positioned as better-for-you treats with extended shelf lives.

Insight - Modern consumers are faced with ever-expanding choices when it comes to choosing snack foods. The prevalence of products in the space leads consumers to prioritize those that meet their personal needs, which often pertain to health goals, financial savings, or convenience. Brands in the CPG space can differentiate themselves by offering products that adhere to all three of these goals, rather than focusing on only certain areas. In order to achieve this, brands are turning to freeze-drying.