Category
Lifestyle
Protein Personalization
Trend cluster
Category
Trinket
Marketing
Brands are using blind box collectibles as a way to market to Gen Z.
7.1
Trend score
Trend
What is the Trinket Marketing trend?
Trinket Marketing: Social media has sparked a trinket-collecting craze among Gen Z, and food brands are leveraging the allure of these items by pairing their food and drink items with blind box collectibles. Spanning mini figurines to themed keepsakes, these collectibles aim to drive sales and encourage repeat visits.
Insight
The consumer insight behind the Trinket Marketing trend
Faced with societal pressures and environmental challenges, many younger consumers turn to spending as a coping mechanism, seeking the dopamine hit that micro purchases provide. In response, F&B brands are launching collectible collaborations to appeal to Gen Z's desire for personalization and social sharing while delivering a unique experience. By positioning themselves as unofficial suppliers, brands can foster deeper engagement and encourage repeat purchases of their themed or branded products.
Trend themes
Themes within the Trinket Marketing trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Experiential Pop-Ups
Brands are merging nostalgia and unique themes to create immersive pop-up experiences that captivate a broad audience.
02
The Rise of Blind Box Collectibles
The fusion of surprise elements and beloved characters in blind box collectibles offers brands an innovative way to engage consumers emotionally.
03
Collaborative Merchandise
Collaborations between food and toy brands are producing themed merchandise, enhancing customer experience through play and personalization.
Industry implications
What the Trinket Marketing trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Food & Beverage
Businesses are integrating collectible merchandise into their offerings, transforming traditional sales methods with creative promotions.
For
Retail & Merchandising
Retailers are leveraging limited-edition collectibles and themed collaborations to boost engagement and drive foot traffic.
For
Entertainment & Media
The sector is exploring partnerships with brands for the inclusion of themed experiences and collectibles in their campaigns.
Workshop question
How can your brand turn its core products and services into an immersive consumer experience?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Trinket Marketing
Trend score 7.1 out of 10, from popularity 89%, activity 88%, freshness 34%.
Popularity89%
Activity88%
Freshness34%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha (not a primary audience)
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
South America
Africa
Evidence
Examples of the Trinket Marketing trend
4 featured examples from Jul 19, 2024 to Jan 21, 2025CategoryMarketing
Plush Monster Boba Promotions
Chatime Canada Launches a LABUBU Giveaway Promotion for Patrons
CategoryMarketing
Dish-Inspired Plushie Pop-Ups
Jellycat's 'Fish & Chips' Pop-Up is a Uniquely British Experience
The retail sector is increasingly focusing on experiential shopping to differentiate itself from online alternatives.
CategoryMarketing
Collaborative Bubble Tea Collectibles
Gong cha Australia and POP MART Debut PINO JELLY Merchandise
The fusion of novel, collectible items with traditional F&B offerings taps into experiential branding, encouraging consumers to engage with products on a deeper level.
CategoryMarketing
QSR-Backed Collectible Deals
KFC China Introduces a Blind Box Collaboration with POP MART's Dimoo
Fast food chains are increasingly turning to promotional partnerships to differentiate their offerings and enhance brand loyalty through unique customer experiences.
