Acceleration

Trend - Brands are integrating activism and charitable actions directly into business models and consumer loyalty programs. This helps consumers directly influence the amount of charitability from a business, making activist consumers more likely to frequently engage in these brands over others.

Insight - Voting with the dollar is a popular concept in North America. Consumers value brands that are transparent, authentic, and have a positive impact on the world. Some interact exclusively with these brands, while others prefer to do so when possible. Of the brands that engage in charity work, consumers prefer those that demonstrate their values with tangible actions. These consumers are more loyal to brands that integrate activism directly into the core business model.

Trend - Peripheral manufacturers are experimenting with productivity-enhancing keyboards with integrated LCD panels. These keyboards act as an additional monitor for simple tasks, providing quick access to information or apps when needed. These are multipurpose for professional or entertainment use.

Insight - Nearly every consumer who uses a computer for work or entertainment in 2023 has multiple monitors. Additional monitors enhance workplace productivity, while on the entertainment side, monitors provide quick-access to extra content. There is a constant pressure from consumers on both of these sides for products that enhance productivity and entertainment, with brands consistently experimenting with new multipurpose peripherals that combine functions into one device.

Trend - Brands are adapting to the increasing presence of smart technology on worksites with professional-focused rugged tablets. These tablets have larger, clearer displays than rugged smartphones, making them more suited for on-site collaboration and communication.

Insight - Workers in physical labor industries, such as construction or engineering, often require smart technologies to view plans and instructions, and communicate with other workers. These workers cannot afford to have technology be fragile, like many smart devices are. While these users have previously used rugged phones, or phones with extensively protective cases, brands are now adapting to the needs of this industry in full with rugged, certified durable tablets.

Trend - Businesses across a variety of industries are debuting official artificial intelligence (AI) policies. These policies outline when and how AI should be used in workplaces to ensure that AI does not cause damage to the business in any way. This ensures AI is used optimally and productively.

Insight - Since the recent influx of highly utilizable AI tools in recent years, workers across numerous industries have looked to use AI to streamline workflow, improve efficiency, and more. These workers are in various levels of business, from entry-level to head office. This desire for efficiency causes many to overlook the potential harmful effects of AI, such as margin of error or ethical concerns. This created a need for many workplaces to launch formal AI policies to restrict usage.

Trend - Apps and virtual care that are specifically designed for people with gastrointestinal diseases are on the rise--addressing illnesses like IBS and GERD. These apps both educate and help users track symptoms--allowing them to identify and avoid triggers, and create plans to optimize wellbeing.

Insight - The growth of virtual care and wellness industries has allowed individuals to find community and get ahead of their health, particularly those who have illnesses that are stigmatized. Combining this sense of community with predictive monitoring allows for a personalized approach to healthcare--which isn't always possible in traditional medical settings. Targeted virtual care makes individual lifestyles and needs a priority, while reducing costs for patients.

Trend - Brands are launching lawnmowers that take advantage of modern artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. These lawnmowers can automatically patrol lawns with minimal human input. This saves consumers time to spend on more important tasks. These mowers are controlled by apps for simplicity.

Insight - Modern smart homes have nearly every product powered by AI. Consumers are quick to adopt AI doorbells, security systems, vacuums, and more. These consumers strive for automation that improves their quality of life by completing basic tasks and subsequently reducing stress by creating more free time. These consumers are willing to pay premium prices for products that are more efficient, leading to brands launching AI-powered lawnmowers and yard cleaners to reduce maintenance time.

Trend - Brands are launching platforms that automate media and customer outreach campaigns with AI. These platforms streamline lead detection, determine the optimal method to reach out, and send the message at an effective time. These enable AI marketing for brands without technical backgrounds.

Insight - Digital marketing continues to grow in competitiveness each year, with more businesses, channels, and voices reaching out to customers each day. In this competitive sector, businesses continually search for a tool that can give them an advantage over competitors. Businesses prioritize freeing up worker time for more intricate tasks, automation of simpler tasks, and reduction of expenses. These businesses are gravitating towards AI platforms to automate a large range of marketing tasks.

Trend - Brands and charitable orgs are addressing how women's health can impact their employment. These brands are raising awareness about how PMS and menopause symptoms can impact one's ability to work, and campaigning for policies (like paid leave) that address this concern.

Insight - Brands are addressing gender discrimination through updated hiring practices, maternity leave, education, and pay equity. However, some of the challenges women face in the workforce are less outwardly visible--but have a significant impact nonetheless. Menstruation and menopause symptoms can impact performance and cause unintended gender gaps at work. Brands that address these concerns with paid leave and extended benefits create more supportive and (therefore productive) workplaces.

Trend - AI-based support apps for parents of infants and young children are being used for skill development, mental health, and/or health monitoring. These programs offer a proactive approach to supporting child development and help parents collect data in cases that require intervention.

Insight - Using tech to monitor and prioritize skill-building is especially helpful for caregivers with children who have mental or physical disabilities, behavioral challenges, or are displaying symptoms of illness. These smart solutions add an additional layer of support to the parenting process, offer important information for medical personnel if needed, and generally take some of the pressure off for busy parents with multiple priorities on top of childcare.

Trend - Automakers are releasing premium motorhomes with durable, rugged builds designed for off-roading. These motorhomes are easier to move around on and off road, making them better for camping than traditional motorhomes. Additionally, rugged motorhomes resist more extreme weather conditions.

Insight - When many consumers go camping or go on road trips frequently, they often choose to invest in a motorhome, rather than renting cottages and camping setups in each location. These consumers prefer motorhomes for the versatility in location, ease of mobility, and the reliable access to resources they provide. However, many motorhomes can only be towed by large trucks, and are too heavy to be suited for off-roading. This creates a market space for rugged, off-roading-ready motorhomes.