Life-Stages Consumer Insights

Trend - Designers are thinking about the correlation between mental health and objects/visual imagery. With this in mind, many are harnessing the potential of visualization and interactivity to assist consumers in processes of healing and grief.

Insight - Throughout their life, consumers and their loved ones might find themselves in difficult situations, pertaining to anything from rehabilitation and mental health to loss. In times like these, the wish for overcoming the hardship, physically or emotionally, is strong. In most cases, however, these processes can be lengthy and difficult. As a result, individuals are looking for support and ways to express themselves throughout their experience, which allows them to feel comforted and motivated to keep going.

Trend - Childcare isn't just about watching over children and ensuring their safety, but about nurturing their abilities, keeping them entertained and teaching them. These forms of childcare are being accommodated with remote options amidst the ongoing pandemic--with everything from virtual storytelling to camps being options for kids.

Insight - The ongoing pandemic has brought on a unique set of challenges for parents of young children--crucial aspects of child-rearing like childcare, education, and entertainment have all been disrupted and have forced parents to adapt despite their circumstances. Products and services that ease this continued transition are therefore especially appealing to parents.

Trend - In order to encourage consumers to be more mindful of their health or be aware of early symptoms, brands are launching products and services that help with disease detection. Divorced from the seriousness of official medical wear, these options seamlessly blend into the everyday.

Insight - As one gets older, the risk of health problems becomes bigger. Aware of this, contemporary consumers are looking for ways to stay on top of their health and monitor for any early signs of trouble. Since individuals know that it is impossible to stay vigilant at all times, they are looking for products and services that can offer them support and security, allowing them to feel more at ease in their day-to-day.

Trend - Restaurants and brands are offering alcoholic beverages in packaging that taps the childhood nostalgia of consumers of age. Offered in various formats, including juice boxes, these novelty products are often paired with an Instagrammable aesthetic.

Insight - Adult consumers often reminisce about experiences from their childhood and as a result, nostalgia becomes a primary factor in purchasing decisions—especially for those who are part of the Millennial demographic. When confronted with a product that conjures memories of their younger self, individuals tend to be overcome not only by a sense of curiosity but also by a desire to indulge and be transported back to simpler times.

Trend - Developers are creating mobile applications that can assist consumers and budding entrepreneurs with building and maintaining their side hustles. The platforms include useful features, pertaining to organization, investment, and so on.

Insight - Because the price of living is going up faster than the average wage, contemporary consumers—especially those part of younger demographics—are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their lifestyles in urban environments. This motivates many to take on additional work outside their primary job and this is often either out of necessity or due to an existing passion. In order to not burn out and to keep everything afloat, individuals are looking for tools that will give them peace of mind.

Trend - Aware that consumers are often stressed for money—and this is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic which has left many without a job and forced small businesses to permanently close—financial companies are emphasizing the need for wellness and mental health practices in their industry.

Insight - Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated government-imposed health and safety measures, many individuals are experiencing exasperated financial stress. In order to alleviate their anxiety, consumers are looking for advice and tools that will help them in their unique situations. In being more organized, individuals feel better prepared and as a result, gain peace of mind when it comes to surviving the pandemic and beyond.

Trend - Technology is enhancing the player experience during chess and other popular board game offerings. By integrating artificial intelligence into tabletop game designs, brands are able to also provide training to consumers.

Insight - Contemporary consumers are becoming increasingly comfortable and open to using technology in their daily and work routines, as well as for entertainment and in other facets of their lifestyle. As tech becomes more accessible to a larger portion of the population, individuals will look to satisfy their curiosity by testing out novelty tech-powered versions of products that they are familiar with.

Trend - Parents are keeping their children occupied in their free time with virtual storytime experiences. Products and services in this space include everything from speakers that tell stories to Christmas storytime specials.

Insight - Millennial parents often rely on technology to enhance the child-rearing process, which they view as having multiple benefits. It takes some of the learning responsibilities off of busy parents that are balancing their professions with child and home care, and introduces children to technologies they'll be using for the rest of their lives in both school and in their careers.

Trend - By appealing to the benefits of mixed reality and artificial intelligence, brands in the health care sector are able to offer substantial training for caregivers who work with older adults. Through simulation, workers are able to build a greater degree of compassion and learn from their mistakes through hands-on activities.

Insight - When it comes to healthcare—whether it pertains to oneself or a loved one—individuals are prioritizing solutions that they can count on and as a result, many are emphasizing the need for adequate training and support in this sector. This allows consumers to not only feel better supported and comfortable when receiving services or care, but it also enables those close to them to gain peace of mind in the matter.

Trend - Storytelling for children is becoming more interactive, with toys that offer creative forms of expression and methods of telling children stories. These items include everything from mixing physical toys with voice-controlled tech, to QR codes attached to toys that retell their backgrounds.

Insight - The use of smart or interactive tech in children's development remains popular, particularly among Millennial parents who see technology as an opportunity to develop children's technical and creative skills from a young age. Straying from more traditional approaches to child-rearing in this way helps give children the skills they'll need in a world that's dominated by tech in both work and play.