Category
Life-Stages
Constructible Franchises
Trend cluster
Category
Nostalgic
Bonding
Brands present retro products designed for children of Millennial parents.
3.8
Trend score
Trend
What is the Nostalgic Bonding trend?
Nostalgic Bonding: Brands reinvent 90’s toys and experiences as a way for Millennial parents to bond with their children and reminisce about their own childhood hobbies. From My Little Pony-themed cafes to tech-embedded Doodle Bears, brands are able to provide both products and experiences that will resonate with kids and adults alike.
Insight
The consumer insight behind the Nostalgic Bonding trend
Millennial parents are often more liberal and carefree than previous generations, and their distinct differences in preferences and lifestyle habits include how they parent. Whether it be around social media, use of technology or even cultural references, modern parents are looking for more accessible ways to bond and reconnect with their kids on a deeper level. The use of nostalgic references that both child and parent can relate to helps create a unique experience that those individuals can share and relate back to.
Trend themes
Themes within the Nostalgic Bonding trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Nostalgia Marketing
Brands recreate 90's toys & experiences for Millennial parents to bond with their children and resonate with both kids and adults.
02
Digital Play Integration
Nostalgic toys like Doodle Bears reinvent themselves by integrating aspects of digital play, bridging the gap between digital and dimensional play.
03
Thematic Pop-Ups
Themed pop-ups in ice cream shops like My Little Pony Friendship Magic Shop attract Gen-Z consumers while resonating nostalgic vibes with their Millennial parents.
Industry implications
What the Nostalgic Bonding trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Toy Industry
The toy industry can adapt to the nostalgia trend by reviving 90's toys with a modern touch and integrating digital play features.
For
Hospitality Industry
The hospitality industry can cater to Millennial parents and their kids by offering nostalgic bonding experiences like tea parties and thematic pop-ups.
For
Fashion Industry
The fashion industry can create nostalgic products through retro branding and reinventing iconic designs for a new generation.
Workshop question
How can your brand create an inclusively bonding experience for your consumers?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Nostalgic Bonding
Trend score 3.8 out of 10, from popularity 55%, activity 51%, freshness 8%.
Popularity55%
Activity51%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X (not a primary audience)
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the Nostalgic Bonding trend
5 featured examples from Mar 26, 2018 to Feb 19, 2019CategoryLife-Stages
Digital Doodling Toys
The Revived Doodle Bear Introduces an App Experience for a New Generation
Toy manufacturers can innovate by embracing the integration of digital technologies into their products, offering new play experiences for children.
CategoryMarketing
Toy-Themed Ice Cream Cafes
Shanghai's The Place Featured a Haagen-Dazs and My Little Pony Pop-Up
Opportunity for ice cream shops, cafes, and dessert establishments to collaborate with toy brands and offer themed experiences.
CategoryLifestyle
Comforting Hotel Tea Experiences
The Waldorf Astoria and Hamlets Offer a Unique Tea Experience
The hospitality industry can provide unique and memorable experiences by combining different elements to attract a wider consumer base.
CategoryLife-Stages
Retro Neon Baby Shoes
Nike's Little Max 95 is a Mini Version of the Classic Air Max
Athletic wear companies can capitalize on the growing demand for high-quality and stylish children's sneakers, creating a new market segment.
CategoryLife-Stages
Space Arcade Pizza Restaurants
Disneyland is Opening a Real-Life Toy Story Pizza Planet
Theme parks can capitalize on the success of films and popular culture by creating immersive dining experiences that attract visitors and differentiate their offerings.
