Health

Implications - As health-conscious consumers veer away from the frozen food isles towards fresh produce, we’re seeing a surge in the desire to be educated on best uses for getting the most out of fresh fruits and vegetables. From solutions that educate shoppers on ripeness to innovations for keeping fruit fresher for longer, grocers are making fresh produce more accessible for everyday consumers, acknowledging spending trends towards investing in personal health as well as high quality products. [More]

Implications - Brands are evoking the nostalgia associated with pre-assembled lunches to offer more sophisticated, adult-friendly versions of sandwich and wrap kits. This diversification of pre-made packaged food items conjoins consumers' familiar past habits, with the convenience they require as they balance modern work-life priorities. [More]

Where gluten-free dieting was once specific to those with celiac disease, it has since become a marketing tool that seeks to convey the health benefits of a multitude of food items. A manifestation of this shift is that gluten-free foods are now offered in convenient, pre-packaged forms. This shift is indicative of consumers' tendency to appreciate marketing-induced fads, without having to expend their energy in seeking them out. [More]

Implications - Looking for healthier alternatives to traditional sweeteners, consumers are finding comfort in familiar fruits as a natural sugar replacement. As consumers become more educated about their nutrition and look for food labels with understandable ingredients, natural sugars start to become a priority over artificial sweeteners. Fruits in particular are a simple and effective ingredient that appeases both the halfway healthy and the health purist, demonstrating a growing desire for simplicity within ingredient innovation. [More]

Implications - In a time when consumers of all ages are motivated by the social sharing of everyday experiences, individuals are opting for gothic-looking all-black menu items that visually entice with the help of ingredients like squid ink, black sesame or coconut ash. In addition to being seen as a reaction to the current cultural obsession with fantasy-inspired aesthetics that offer a taste of escapism, this progression speaks to the desire to see familiar experiences enhanced with multi-sensory elements that also boast practical effects such as detoxification. [More]

Implications - As consumers pursue alternative treatment methods for common ailments, many are looking to cannabis in various formats as an all-natural solution. In addition to highlighting one particular effect of the wellness obsession, this progression speaks to the overall reevaluation of modern "norms" that is taking place in the era of legalization and amid turbulent political times. [More]

Implications - Given the nature of consumers in congregating around local brands, many cannabis-focused businesses are becoming community centers as customers naturally form around emerging institutions. This shift speaks to the desire for experiences that lend themselves to the cultivation of offline connections in order to offset the effects of the majority of individuals spending so much time online, as well as specifically highlighting the implications of something like cannabis legislation in disrupting behavioral norms. [More]

Implications - As consumers become more familiar with legal cannabis products in the age of legalization, many are developing their own taste and dosage preferences that are accommodated by pre-packaged ingredients ready for at-home culinary pursuits. This progression highlights the consumer knowledge of the new product category as it diversifies rapidly and the role an individual's experience level will play in purchasing decisions. [More]

Implications - Highlighting the ubiquitous nature of coffee as a symbol of social interaction and much more, the experience of coffee consumption has become a space for innovation that also provides a unique view into the current cultural collective consciousness at any given moment. This progression demonstrates the new context of coffee as a gourmet food experience rather than a commodity, a transition that can be observed taking place currently in other adjacent categories such as cannabis. [More]

Implications - Starting to venture into topical forms of health and self-care, many men are becoming aware of the importance of preventative skincare in terms of anti-aging. As an approachable form of entry into the beauty realm, men are looking to keep their skin youthful while also investing more time into their own well-being through adopting skincare rituals and routines. This growth indicates the rise of self-care as a priority for both men and women during their valuable leisure time. [More]