Tech 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 GLP-1 gains popularity in the western world as a weight management solution, brands are launching apps and services designed to support the GLP-1 community. These apps offer support through social forums, fitness and diet planning, and enable direct connections to healthcare providers if needed.

Insight - The number of adult consumers in North America and Europe that use GLP-1 supplements continues to grow at a rapid rate each month. These consumers are drawn to GLP-1 for its easy-to-use, ingestible format and its high efficacy rate. However, some GLP-1 users become complacent, relying on the supplement instead of balancing it with a healthy lifestyle, while others run into unforeseen medical side effects. Businesses are now launching apps and websites to support the needs of GLP-1 users.

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 - 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 - Computer hardware brands are releasing power supplies with modular designs that enable users to use only the necessary connectors. This saves space and improves aesthetics in custom builds by reducing clutter. Previously exclusive to higher-end PSUs, even budget devices are adopting modularity.

Insight - Consumer technology enthusiasts frequently build their own custom devices, whether as a hobby or as a cost-saving measure compared to buying prebuilt units. When building their own devices, consumers on a budget often prioritize high-performance components, while on the higher-end of the cost spectrum, aesthetics also become an important factor. Hardware brands are trying to appeal to both consumer segments by launching affordable devices with aesthetic benefits.

Trend - Brands across the personal care industry are creating both edible and applied supplements with Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) or Nicotinamide Riboside (NR), which is a precursor to the coenzyme. These chemicals fight cellular decline, promote cell health, and increase metabolism.

Insight - In the health and beauty industry, anti-aging claims and metabolism-boosting claims appear on everything from daily supplements to haircare products. However, with so many products claiming these benefits, it is difficult for consumers to find those that definitively offer these benefits. As a result, many brands across the beauty and personal care industries are turning to chemistry to show that the chemicals in their products are backed by science and demonstrably effective.

Trend - Hardware brands in the audio industry are releasing convenient, modern devices designed to reinvigorate retro forms of media. These devices add modern features to CD players, cassette tape players, or record players, removing much of the hassle from listening to these forms of media.

Insight - While many consumers in the modern era turn to subscription-based streaming services for all of their music needs, audiophiles and collectors still amass large collections of physical media. These consumers gravitate toward physical media whether for novelty or quality. However, many do not use their collections due to the hassle associated with outdated media players, such as requiring direct power and wired speakers. Brands are releasing convenient devices to target these consumers.

Trend - Artificial intelligence has been adapted to enable barcode-less product scanning, facilitated by algorithms that analyze images and videos of objects to identify unique features. This technology accurately accounts for retail items in real time, providing shoppers with seamless checkout experiences.

Insight - As artificial intelligence shapes consumer shopping experiences, brands increasingly rely on automation to address friction points and ensure high rates of fulfilled purchases. Adopting automation technologies minimizes wait times and maximizes throughput, allowing customers to complete shopping trips in shorter amounts of time. This approach helps businesses prioritize seamless experiences and reduce errors, aligning with consumer preferences for convenience.

Trend - Outdoor gadget brands are integrating mosquito-repelling features into less traditional devices. These multifunctional devices, such as lights, speakers, or air purifiers, repel unwanted insects from camping areas, ensuring consumers can enjoy their outdoor activities uninhibited.

Insight - Consumers who spend a lot of time outside, such as those who frequently enjoy camping, barbecues, or even simply spending time on their patio, know the struggles associated with unwanted insects, such as mosquitos or bees. However, many of these consumers are not willing to invest in a device specifically to repel the insects, as this may not fit in their budgets. In response to this, brands are integrating mosquito-repelling technologies into outdoor gadgets that would be purchased regardless.

Trend - Hardware manufacturers are creating laptops with two built-in screens. The added screen enhances productivity when needed, which is valuable for remote or hybrid workers. The second built-in screen also subverts the need for additional displays or accessories, adding convenience and portability.

Insight - Remote and hybrid workers often turn to laptops as their primary devices. Often for simplicity and portability, such as the ability to work in coffee shops, laptops are preferred over desktops for these workers, despite the relative loss to productivity. Brands are now aiming to blend the productivity of desktops with the portability and convenience of laptops in order to better market to these consumers, leading to the creation of laptops with built-in secondary displays.