Market 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 - 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 - 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 - 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.

Trend - Self-care brands are packaging products in paper-based cartons. These cartons are capable of holding liquid substances without deteriorating, making them perfect for dishsoaps, shampoos, and more. These cartons have lower carbon footprints and are easier to recycle by the end user.

Insight - Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of the products they consume. In particular, the health and beauty industry often receives pushback for wasteful and environmentally-destructive practices. As such, these consumers are voting with their dollars, opting for products with eco-friendly labels and recyclable packaging over traditional alternatives. Brands in the space are becoming aware of this, and are engaging in more sustainable product-related practices.

Trend - Beverage brands are crafting specialty lemonades made with matcha. Matcha is used for its smooth earthy taste and subtle sweetness, as this balances out the sharp sours and tangs of lemonade blends. These flavor combinations cater to consumers looking for familiar flavors in novel combinations.

Insight - Consumers in the West, particularly the younger Gen Alpha, Gen Z, and Millennial generations, are growing increasingly accustomed to global cultural influences in food and beverage products. These consumers have adopted new flavor preferences, with drinks such as bubble tea or matcha lattes becoming staples. These consumers are more likely to purchase products with new and unique flavor pairings. In recognition of this, lemonade brands are launching more experimental flavor combinations.

Trend - Since their inception in France in 2022, croissants filled with baked cookie dough, or 'Crookies,' have grown in popularity in restaurants and bakeries. Crookies are versatile and offer consumers a mix of the light flakiness of a croissant and the densely flavored dough of a cookie.

Insight - Foodie consumers and influencers continually seek foods with new ingredients, flavors, or cooking methods. These consumers try new products as soon as they are available, with social media bringing attention to more popular selections. Brands recognize that these consumers heavily prioritize more creative and diverse foods. In order to better capture the foodie consumer base, bakeries and restaurants are crafting hybrid pastries that blend different textures and flavors.

Trend - Restaurants and CPG brands are creating bubble waffles and mixes made with meal-like ingredients. Bubble waffles are versatile, allowing for nearly any type of filling while maintaining a bite-sized and shareable shape. These are easy to prepare and offer new ways of experiencing well-known flavors.

Insight - Foodie consumers continually desire novelty food experiences; whether it pertains to the recipes, preparation method, or food format, these consumers are willing to experiment to see what works for them. The rise of cross-dish experimentation, spurred on by more adventurous customers, has led to the creation of hybrid dishes such as curry hamburgers. In aiming to address the needs of these consumers, brands are turning to savory bubble waffles for their versatility and convenience in preparation.

Trend - Beauty brands are releasing skincare lineups specifically designed for melanin-rich skin. These collections include serums, moisturizers, and cleansers designed to reduce signs of aging and promote healthy skin in individuals with colored skin. These brands are backed or owned by people of color.

Insight - When shopping for cosmetics, people of color in North America find challenges in finding reliable brands designed around their skin tones. These consumers gravitate toward local BIPOC-owned retailers due to the reliability and assurance that the products offered there are designed for them. In response to these preferences, brands are launching new skincare collections marketed explicitly toward consumers with melanin-rich skin, which enables stronger brand loyalty within these communities.