Top Lists Consumer Insights

Implications - Anything infused with uniqueness, opulence or creativity is favored over the bland, and that includes items of necessity and survival. As much as water is a necessity, numerous companies have also found ways to turn hydration into a memorable experience. For example, Balance Water is infused with wildflower essences to promote balance and well being. By adding design or detail, objects can easily achieve luxury status, thereby retailing for more than they would in a more basic state. Consumers increasingly defining themselves through their possessions; there is a demand to stand out, appear affluent and have objects of exclusivity.

Implications - Simple gems and polished stones have nothing on today’s jagged and raw rocks, which can be found brandishing everything from necklaces to rings. These severe and often harshly cut stones emit a naturalistic look that seems right in line with the current consumer love for eco-friendly and organic living. Not only that, the unpolished, ragged and unique nature of these raw accessories speaks to fashionistas who want to show off their more daring and unrestrained sides.

Implications - You can do much more with digital art software than you can do with a can of spray paint. While most infamous street artists are happy to stick to their traditional mediums, other artists, as well as many consumers, are taking to virtual and digital tools to create graffiti art. Whether it is light graffiti or simulated street art via a projector, digital graffiti is changing the traditional definition of street art, and encouraging the participation of those who may have otherwise struggled with a real spray can.

Implications - For green-minded consumers, being on vacation doesn’t mean a break from eco-friendly living. Luckily, they have a number of green accommodations to choose from, both luxurious and otherwise. From extravagant eco resorts to more affordable sustainable lodging, hotels around the world are getting green makeovers, grabbing the attention of travelers who want to do their part while kicking back.

Implications - Consumers today crave convenience—especially if it’s in regards to a time-demanding activity like grocery shopping. Thanks to technology, however, this often dreaded weekly chore is becoming less of a chore and more of a minor nuisance. Tech tools that make it quicker and more convenient to shop for groceries are gaining ground, elevating the traditional food store into a technological playground filled with helpful gadgets, apps, services and even robotics.

Implications - With almost 9.5 million cosmetic procedures conducted in 2010 (as reported by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery), it doesn’t seem likely that consumers are shying away from plastic surgery. Yet, a rise in “anti-plastic” ads and photography may indicate otherwise. Making a profound statement on the industry, these often hard-to-stomach images show that true beauty can’t be reached with a knife. Like the fight against too-skinny models, this plastic rebellion reminds consumers of the consequences of emphasizing outer beauty over inner beauty.

Implications - Pedaling is no longer just a mechanism on a bike that will take you from point A to point B; it is quickly becoming a source of energy. Pedal-powered products, from sinks to websites, are gaining momentum in the eco-conscious marketplace. As more consumers embrace the green lifestyle, such pedal-powered innovations seem simple, natural alternatives to yesterday’s energy-wasting products and designs.

Implications - Futurism may seem like fashion’s natural course, but a more simplistic look is returning to the fore: country. Farm fashion, including overalls, boots, plaid and prairie-style getups are getting a winning vote among fashionistas and fashionistos who are shedding today’s more restrictive, contemporary pieces in favor of relaxed, roll-in-the-hay styles. This down-home chic is perfect for the consumer who would trade society’s fast-paced “progress” for life’s simple comforts any day.

Implications - With urbanization contributing to the loss of lush, green landscapes and gardens, guerrilla gardening seems to be one attempt at a solution. Those—be it product designers, activists or average consumers—yearning for greener pastures (literally) are turning to stealth ways to infuse everyday products and the urban environment with more flowers, plants and the like. Everything from greeting cards and art projects to product packaging and asphalt have been struck with someone’s green thumb, proving that eco-friendly elements really can be incorporated into anything in the marketplace.

Implications - The video game industry is booming, and it’s not surprising that a niche market would arise to serve affluent gamers with an appetite for both games and exclusivity. Designers and businesses creating luxury gamer goods can bypass the nerdy teenager sequestered in his mom’s basement; instead, their focus is on the indulgent, deep-pocketed gamer who believes no price is too high for a a crystallized console or virtual property.