Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 474,209 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,274 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 308,930 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,274 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 308,930 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,220 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 474,209 cutting edge ideas.

Top 100 Business Trends for 2021

From Racist Business Reporting Tools to Virtual Shopping Malls

— January 24, 2021 — Business
Ranging from racist business reporting tools to virtual shopping malls, this list of 2021 business trends underscores how important cultural moments have shaped consumer expectations, prompting businesses to respond in kind.

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, brands launched virtual shopping centers to recreate the traditional shopping experience online. These range from virtual street fronts to large-scale digital shopping centers and allow owners to showcase their products to a niche, virtual community.

Moreover, the tragic death of George Floyd and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement has prompted brands to re-evaluate their business models to combat systematic racism. These initiatives include evaluating the number of products on their shelf owned by Black business owners, funding budding Black-owned startups, and removing racist language in their coding.

For more business trends in the year ahead, check out Trend Hunter’s 2021 Trend Report.
7.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
90
Equity-Promoting Business Developments
Equity-Promoting Business Developments
KFC is Looking to Improve Its Inclusion Strategy
<
89
Inclusive Venture Capital Projects
Inclusive Venture Capital Projects
BLCK VC Created an Initiative Named the Black Venture Institute
<
88
Black-Owned Business Pledges
Black-Owned Business Pledges
Yelp is the Latest to Join the 15% Pledge
<
87
Sustainability-Focused Financing Solutions
Sustainability-Focused Financing Solutions
BBVA Secures More Than €40 Billion for Its Eco Pledge
<
86
Streaming-Focused Cooperate Reorganizations
Streaming-Focused Cooperate Reorganizations
Disney Announced a New Strategic Reorganization
<
85
Employer Health Testing Programs
Employer Health Testing Programs
Kroger Health COVIDCare Plus Supports Organization Wellness
<
84
Election Day QSR Closures
Election Day QSR Closures
White Castle is Making It Easier for Its Employees to Get Out and Vote
<
83
Bank-Backed Financial Initiatives
Bank-Backed Financial Initiatives
Wells Fargo is Supporting Customers Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
<
82
Pandemic-Prompted Financial Initiatives
Pandemic-Prompted Financial Initiatives
Mastercard Helps Customers Find Local Stores Amid COVID-19
<
81
POC-Specific Beauty Brands
POC-Specific Beauty Brands
Makeup for Melanin Girls Answers a Gap in the Beauty Industry
<
80
Novel Transportation Services
Novel Transportation Services
Uber is Launching a New Taxi Service in Tokyo Named Uber Taxi
<
79
Business-Supporting Credits
Business-Supporting Credits
Amex is Giving Cardholders Money Back for Spending at Small Businesses
<
78
Meal Delivery Vouchers
Meal Delivery Vouchers
Uber Eats’ New Vouchers Let Employers Purchase Meals for Staff & Attendees
<
77
COVID Credit-Card Rate Cuts
COVID Credit-Card Rate Cuts
The CIBC Pace It Offers a Temporary Lower Annual Rate for Cardholders
<
76
Mobile Retail Delivery Partnerships
Mobile Retail Delivery Partnerships
CVS Partnered with DoorDash on a Same-Day Delivery Service
<
75
Racist Business Reporting Tools
Racist Business Reporting Tools
A Yelp Update Alerts the Public If a Business is Accused of Racism
<
74
Small Business Owner Conferences
Small Business Owner Conferences
Venture Café Debuts New Virtual Conference for Business Owners
<
73
Emerging Maker Awards
Emerging Maker Awards
The Up and Comers Small Makers Awards Supports Local Businesses
<
72
Airline Rapid Testing Services
Airline Rapid Testing Services
Lufthansa is Offering Rapid COVID-19 Testing to Guests in October
<
71
Virtual QSR Quality Checks
Virtual QSR Quality Checks
Church's Chicken Updated Its Restaurant Reviews for COVID-19
<
70
PWYC Kid's Meals
PWYC Kid's Meals
Hugo's Restaurants is Alleviating Stress from Family Life Amid COVID-19
<
69
eCommerce Analytic Platforms
eCommerce Analytic Platforms
The 'Sellerium' Platform Helps Amazon Sellers Track Trends
<
68
Business Phone Line Apps
Business Phone Line Apps
The 'Reach Phone' App Helps Users Maintain Personal and Work Lines
<
67
Inclusive Business Search Tools
Inclusive Business Search Tools
Yelp Added a Search Tool Highlighting Black-Owned Establishments
<
66
Pandemic Relief Banking Tools
Pandemic Relief Banking Tools
Starling Bank Debuted a New Toolkit and a US Dollar Account
<
65
Small Business Employer Insurance
Small Business Employer Insurance
Collective Health Offers Comprehensive Benefit Plans
<
64
Online Tutoring Resources
Online Tutoring Resources
The Tutor Doctor Offers E-Learning Capabilities Amid COVID-19
<
63
Dual-Sided Retail Washing Stations
Dual-Sided Retail Washing Stations
This Double-Sided Hand Washing Station is Convenient
<
62
Business Contact Tracing Platforms
Business Contact Tracing Platforms
'GuestLog' Automates the Process of Collecting Guest Info
<
61
Remote Work-Specific Media Launches
Remote Work-Specific Media Launches
wrkfrce is Dedicated to the Future of Work Culture
<
60
AI Business Development Bots
AI Business Development Bots
The 'Maya' AI Business Bot Saves Time on Operations and R&D
<
59
Friendly Human Capital Platforms
Friendly Human Capital Platforms
'Clerksy' Helps Things Run Smoothly and Keep Employees Happy
<
58
Cow-Optimized Wearable Collars
Cow-Optimized Wearable Collars
The Cowlar Seeks to Help Farmers Streamline Their Dairy Business
<
57
One-On-One Virtual Tutors
One-On-One Virtual Tutors
Success Tutoring Adapted to COVID-19 With New Online Sessions
<
56
Citizen Care Pods
Citizen Care Pods
This Care Pod Combines High-Tech and a Modular Design to Ensure Safety
<
55
Women's Start-Up Schools
Women's Start-Up Schools
Selfmade's Online School Supports Entrepreneurial Women
<
54
Commission-Free Online Commerce
Commission-Free Online Commerce
Google Will Eliminate Commission on Its Buy on Google Platform
<
53
3D-Printed Lunar Colonies
3D-Printed Lunar Colonies
'Project Olympus' is Focused on Getting a Habitat Set Up on the Moon
<
52
UV-C Sanitation Water Dispensers
UV-C Sanitation Water Dispensers
This New Quench Water and Ice Dispenser is Health-Focused
<
51
Female-Led Financial Literacy Platforms
Female-Led Financial Literacy Platforms
Vestpod Empowers Women Through Podcasts and Workshops
<
50
AI-Powered Interview Platforms
AI-Powered Interview Platforms
'Hire.Video' Acts as a Virtual HR Manager to Recruit with Ease
<
49
Latin Vegan Butcher Shops
Latin Vegan Butcher Shops
Tranquilita la Vaca Opened Doors in Santa Cruz, Bolivia
<
48
Temperature-Tracking Entryway Systems
Temperature-Tracking Entryway Systems
The ATN Thermal Entry Wizard Has a Touch-Free Design
<
47
Exclusive Concert Speakers
Exclusive Concert Speakers
Oda's Bluetooth Speaker Set Shares Live Seasonal Programming
<
46
Robotically Enhanced Packaging Solutions
Robotically Enhanced Packaging Solutions
The IRB 390 FlexPacker™ is Expected to Launch Late 2020
<
45
Lawyer Drafted Contract Templates
Lawyer Drafted Contract Templates
AWE Contracts Offers Affordable Legal Contract Templates
<
44
Remote Team VR Interfaces
Remote Team VR Interfaces
Co-Creation within Gravity Sketch LandingPad Allows for Collective Work
<
43
Five-Course Drive-Thru Restaurants
Five-Course Drive-Thru Restaurants
Atelier Restaurant Embraces the Drive-Thru Business Model
<
42
Commercial Micro-Fulfillment Solutions
Commercial Micro-Fulfillment Solutions
Dematic Helps Retailers in Addressing Consumer Demand
<
41
Branded Creativity Quotient Tests
Branded Creativity Quotient Tests
Adobe's CQ Quiz Shows How Creativity Molds Leadership Styles
<
40
Dedicated Fulfillment Hubs
Dedicated Fulfillment Hubs
Bed, Bath & Beyond Introduces Regional Fulfillment Centers
<
39
Combined Customer Loyalty Cards
Combined Customer Loyalty Cards
John Lewis and Waitrose Unveiled a Joint Loyalty Scheme
<
38
Artistic Travelling Pop-Ups
Artistic Travelling Pop-Ups
Calgary's Pop-Up Series Supports Local Restaurants and Artists
<
37
Coworking Space Hybrids
Coworking Space Hybrids
Palette Cafe in Schenectady is a Hybrid Between a Coworking Space & a Cafe
<
36
QSR AI Analytic Tools
QSR AI Analytic Tools
KFC Canada is Using AI Analytic Tools to Track Data Across Locations
<
35
Open-Concept Beauty Flagships
Open-Concept Beauty Flagships
Avon's Studio 1886 is the Company's First Flagship Experience
<
34
Travel-Friendly Superfood Capsules
Travel-Friendly Superfood Capsules
STAMBA TRAVEL's Product is Designed to Offer Nutrition Support
<
33
Nutrition-Focused Mobile Platforms
Nutrition-Focused Mobile Platforms
Nestlé is Collaborating with the With/n Healthy Eating Platform
<
32
Wedding Registry Platforms
Wedding Registry Platforms
The Knot Launched a New Wedding Registry Store with Accompanying App
<
31
Delivery-Only Restaurant Chain Ventures
Delivery-Only Restaurant Chain Ventures
Red Lobster is Opening Up a Ghost Kitchen in Chicago
<
30
Consumer-Tracking Retailer Apps
Consumer-Tracking Retailer Apps
Smart Plant Home Helps Retailers Track Plant Purchasing Habits
<
29
Workplace Temperature Scanners
Workplace Temperature Scanners
The VISKY Touchless Body Thermometer Has Facial Recognition
<
28
Long-Term Remote Work Platforms
Long-Term Remote Work Platforms
The 'Growmotely' Platform is for Professionals and Businesses
<
27
New Normal Retail Software
New Normal Retail Software
SPLICE Software Created a Service for Retailers to Adjust Operations
<
26
QR Code Menu Generators
QR Code Menu Generators
The 'Menuffy' Platform Helps Restaurants Digitize Their Menus
<
25
Virtual Restaurant Expansions
Virtual Restaurant Expansions
Chipotle Announced That It Would Open Its First Digital Kitchen
<
24
Millennial Franchising Opportunities
Millennial Franchising Opportunities
Del Taco Wants Millennials to Enter Its Franchise System
<
23
Cryptocurrency-Exclusive Biohacking Cafes
Cryptocurrency-Exclusive Biohacking Cafes
Parallel Polis Offers a Variety of Biohacking Products
<
22
DTC Grass-Fed Meats
DTC Grass-Fed Meats
Grazing Days Farms Sell Directly from Its Farm to Customers
<
21
Energy-Optimized Commercial Appliances
Energy-Optimized Commercial Appliances
The RATIONAL iCombi Pro Appliances are Efficient
<
20
Air-Powered Buffet Protectors
Air-Powered Buffet Protectors
The FoodSignPros 'AirShield' Keeps Foods Free from Germs
<
19
High-End Burger Drive-Thrus
High-End Burger Drive-Thrus
Canlis Bets on Take-Out, Drive-Thru, and Delivery During COVID-19
<
18
Drive-In Tasting Menus
Drive-In Tasting Menus
Fine Dining Restaurant Bulrush Adapts to the Climate of COVID-19
<
17
Branded Business-Supporting Shopping Apps
Branded Business-Supporting Shopping Apps
Cadillac Fairview Debuted the LiVE by CF Shopping App
<
16
Fresh Meat Vending Machines
Fresh Meat Vending Machines
FreshStore is a Vending Machine That Can Be Accessed After Store Hours
<
15
WOC-Specific Hair Solutions
WOC-Specific Hair Solutions
Kinkistry is a Natural Haircare Business, Designed for Women of Color
<
14
Digital Sign Solutions
Digital Sign Solutions
BrighSign Boasts Retail Tech Solutions for Maintaining COVID-19 Spread
<
13
French Home Improvement E-Retailers
French Home Improvement E-Retailers
ManoMano is a French Startup Aiming to Make DIY Projects Easy
<
12
Fully Automated Canadian Restaurants
Fully Automated Canadian Restaurants
Box'd By Paramount is Set to Open This Summer in Toronto
<
11
Millennial-Targeted Business Tools
Millennial-Targeted Business Tools
Tradeswell is Helping Millennial Make a Higher Profit
<
10
Co-Working Brewery Spaces
Co-Working Brewery Spaces
Optimism Brewing Introduces Some New Features During COVID-19
<
9
Accessible 360-Degree Workspaces
Accessible 360-Degree Workspaces
Igloo Vision's Immersive Workspaces Create Engaging Team Meetings
<
8
Smart Shopping Lockers
Smart Shopping Lockers
Luxer One's Smart Retail Lockers Support No-Contact Experiences
<
7
Protective Equipment Vending Machines
Protective Equipment Vending Machines
The RapidPPE2go Vending Machine Will Sell PPE
<
6
Boutique Garden Center Retailers
Boutique Garden Center Retailers
STUMP's Cleveland Location is Its Fourth Boutique Space
<
5
Touch-Free Bathroom Solutions
Touch-Free Bathroom Solutions
Gaberit Boasts Infra-Red and Touchless Design for the Bathroom
<
4
Post-COVID Night Clubs
Post-COVID Night Clubs
44KW in Shanghai Introduces Safety Measures After Reopening
<
3
New Normal Restaurant Vehicles
New Normal Restaurant Vehicles
The Post Corona Eat-Out Business Platform is Conceptual
<
2
Virtual Shopping Malls
Virtual Shopping Malls
New Zealand Company, EPIC, Recently Launched a Virtual Mall
<
1
Elevated Dining Experiences
Elevated Dining Experiences
Pinch Delivers a New Food and Beverage Experience with Parcel
<