Hybridization

Trend - Bubble tea options have expanded into ready-to-drink formats, and even brewing companies are taking inspiration from the beverage's ingredients. Specialty brews with creamy textures, tapioca pearls, brown sugar and fruity flavors offer a new take on the popular Taiwanese beverage.

Insight - Gen Z and Millennials are adventurous eaters, with these generations more likely to try new F&B products and explore global foods. Their openness to F&B has been impacted by social media--where being introduced to global cuisines or novelty foods is the norm. These demographics seek out new food experiences and purchase from brands that prioritize authenticity when replicating traditional foods.

Trend - CPG brands and restaurants are launching foods made with chai ingredients. Chai is popular in drinks for its strong, spicy, floral flavor, and its health benefits. This is now being made available to non-tea-drinkers in the form of snacks, breakfast bars, bakery items, and packaged goods.

Insight - The modern consumer in North America has countless flavors from international locations available to them for snacks, drinks, and foods. These consumers are willing to try new flavors, pairings, or interpretations of recipes, to find a new flavor, with priority given to functional foods. Some of the most popular flavors for drinks, such as chai tea or blue curacao in alcohol, are often only found in beverages, making it difficult for certain customers to ever try these flavors.

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 - Amid the rising cost of chicken set on by the pandemic, restaurants are turning to dark meat alternatives for chicken wings. Chicken thighs are meatier and often richer in taste, making them a popular choice for QSR brands across North America. These are served fried, tossed, or with sauces.

Insight - Restaurants were of the industries hit the hardest by the pandemic, with rising costs of supply and an ever-dwindling consumer base willing to dine in. Following the pandemic, while indoor dining has returned, prices and supply have yet to return to normal. Restaurants with affected supply sought alternative products to ensure steady supply and affordable pricing, creating demand for typically less-used parts of foods in North America, such as chicken thighs or feet.

Trend - Keyboard manufacturers are creating keyboards using special keycaps and switches in order to appeal to fans of ASMR and soft, gentle sounds. These keyboards are crafted using special keycaps, lubrication, and materials that help customize the sound emitted when a key is pressed.

Insight - More people are seeking ways to enhance their work-from-home environments as remote work practices reach an all-time high. For some consumers, the fuzzy or tingling sensation felt when listening to certain recorded sounds can evoke a sense of relaxation and peace. Consumers who are fans of ASMR may gravitate towards keyboards with PBT, lubricated, or soft-sounding keycaps, as these offer an auditory benefit for fans of gentle sounds.

Trend - Skincare brands are experimenting with microcrystals to help consumers achieve clear, wrinkle-free skin. Microcrystals work to exfoliate the skin, helping remove dead skin cells and debris from the outer layer. This helps address signs of aging and plumps the skin for a more youthful appearance.

Insight - Consumers often desire to look young and healthy, and many skincare products, especially those crafted with ingredients to promote collagen production, can help reduce signs of aging. Microcrystals can be paired with skincare to enhance the effects, which helps consumers feel like they're getting the most out of their products. Whether it's fine lines or loose skin, microcrystals naturally exfoliate and tighten, which eliminates the need for cosmetic procedures and injections.

Trend - Brands are creating towels woven with a waffle-like pattern. These towels dry faster, are more absorbent, and are naturally antibiotic when compared to traditional towels. Towels styled like this are also less prone to mold or unwanted scents due to the aerated design.

Insight - With rising water and energy costs in many regions, consumers are becoming more conscious of how often each textile must be cleaned to remain sanitary. These consumers are drawn to products that stay fresher for longer, effectively saving time and money on cleaning. One such area of concern is the bathroom, where people often leave the same towel for hand-drying for long periods. These consumers are investing in waffle-woven towels for their antibacterial and fast-drying traits.

Trend - Brands are releasing smart inflation devices in ultra-portable form factors. These inflators provide instant support for bikes, cars, and inflatables without requiring wall connectivity. These also include smart pressure indicators, making them easy to use without prior experience.

Insight - The micro-mobility space continues to grow in popularity with the modern consumer. Electric bikes and scooters offer a level of convenience beyond that of a traditional bike or full-sized car due to the ease of use, low entry-cost, and ease of maintenance. However, consumers are still often faced with maintenance challenges, such as stuck chains or deflated tires. As a result, these consumers are investing in ultra-portable service kits as reliable contingency plans.

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 - Skincare brands are releasing moisturizing creams, lotions, and elixirs made with sea buckthorn oil. This is a natural ingredient derived from the sea buckthorn plant. The ingredient is said to heal and moisturize skin with omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins ---without requiring preservatives.

Insight - Younger Millennials and Gen Z consumers are more drawn to natural, chemical-free self-care products. Additionally, the percentage of Gen Z consumers who engage in daily skincare regiments is higher than in previous generations. When selecting products, these younger consumers favor those fit for sensitive skin and will pay a premium over heavily processed chemical-based products. Skincare brands are now integrating more natural ingredients, such as buckthorn oils, to appease demand.