Catalyzation

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 - 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 - 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.

Trend - As telehealth services make healthcare more accessible, some virtual care brands are targeting niche needs and underserved communities with prescription deliveries. These convenient services provide help those who face barriers to healthcare due to cultural and/or mobility limitations.

Insight - North American healthcare services are currently ineffective in providing all demographics with equal and adequate access to care. As more people acknowledge these barriers, more are also fighting for accessibility in healthcare--whether that's in transportation, costs, treatment or access. Healthcare brands expanding their virtual offerings help remove some of those barriers and provide more communities with equal access.

Trend - Virtual health services and care have become commonplace, but many are limited in their capabilities. Now, some businesses in healthcare are offering urgent care through their virtual platforms--with services like at-home medical dispatching and fast turnarounds for necessary prescriptions.

Insight - Virtual medicine has made healthcare more accessible as it saves patients time and transportation costs. It also offers opportunities for businesses and institutions in the healthcare industry--especially in expanding their reach. As hybrid (virtual and in-person) healthcare becomes the norm--particularly as online urgent care becomes more effective and expansive--these platforms have the potential to reduce the issue of overloaded hospitals with long wait times for patients.

Trend - Self-driving vehicles with community-benefitting purposes are helping brands in this industry create more acceptance for AVs. Brands are offering services like free autonomous transportation and senior delivery services that create positive experiences with autonomous vehicles.

Insight - The AV industry has faced both legal and cultural challenges entering the market, with everything from safety concerns to arguments about job losses preventing self-driving vehicles to be fully accepted by consumers and institutions. As the industry aims to address these challenges, creating positive local experiences helps build trust for autonomous tech.

Trend - Companies in the electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) industry are investing in wireless inductive charging infrastructure. These charging stations can be installed at a home driveway, or scaled to charge commercial vehicle fleets. The cost and convenience outweigh wired solutions.

Insight - Some of the largest complaints from consumers interested in electric vehicle adoption are related to range, availability of charging, and cost. These consumers prefer gas vehicles due to the affordability and ease-of-access of gas stations. However, when EV charging stations become more frequent, more consumers in the region purchase electric vehicles. As such, EVSE companies are looking to deploy wireless inductive charging infrastructure at scale to accelerate EV adoption.

Trend - Pet brands are creating pet meal enhancers that are based in the same wellness trends that appeal to consumers for their own purchases. Cultured meat, alternative protein and wellness marketing are being re-presented to pet parents--allowing brands to stand out in a competitive market.

Insight - The "humanization" of pets is a trend that's pushed the growth of the pet care industry--where consumers' want the same standards and quality of life for their pets as they create for themselves. Now, more consumers are taking the same approach to buying for their pets as they do their own purchases--through educating themselves about the products, making ethical choices, and adapting their purchases to their pets' individual needs and preferences.