Mintel Little Conversation

In the final episode of Little Conversation season one, we are unwrapping some of the major trends this holiday season, including nostalgia and veganism. Whether it's through holiday cards, advent calendars, or aided by modern technology, nostalgia offers innovative ways to connect with consumers during the festive holiday season. Growing in popularity in recent years, 'Vegan Christmas' will see m...

In this episode, three Mintel analysts review their predictions for Black Friday/Cyber Monday and discuss how the holiday shopping event has evolved over the years in the US and UK. Did the promotional period creep from days to weeks? Did some retailers reject hyper consumerism messaging in favour of promoting sustainability initiatives? What role did loyalty and repeat purchase programs play? Fin...

Today, we're unpacking Mintel's newly released 2030 Global Beauty and Personal Care Trends. Whether you're a beauty junkie or curious about how the world will look in 10 years, this episode gives you serious food for thought. Navigating between science and nature, connection and disconnection, cultural shifts will require beauty and personal care brands, manufacturers and retailers to be more proa...

Introducing Mintel's 2030 Global Consumer Trends! Today, we're taking a closer look at the 7 Drivers and how they will impact consumer behaviour over the next 10 years: wellbeing, surroundings, technology, rights, identity, value, and experiences. It's not (ony) about predicting the future, but anticipating what will matter to consumers in the next one, five and 10 years, from their individual nee...

Today, we talk about purchase decision making or, more simply, the complicated process consumers go through before parting with their hard-earned cash. As companies go bust and in-store footfall declines, it may be tempting to declare the death of the high street/main street. The truth is, consumers are simply changing the way they approach shopping. Online and offline practices are more fluid tha...

It may be hard to believe, but there was a time when avocados were called 'alligator pears'. It wasn't until 1915 that it was officially rebranded as avocado, which led to its commercial success. In today's episode, we're talking about the language of food and exploring how words can change the way products are perceived by consumers, even impacting sales and legislation. As an array of start-ups...

With new financial innovations dropping all the time, it feels like the world of payments is in a perpetual state of evolution. Today, we stare into a crystal ball to predict the future of money. From cashless societies, to invisible payments and cryptocurrencies, we assess whether current financial trends are set to take off. Host: Andrew Davidson (SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia) Guest:...

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, there was Netflix. Then came Hulu and Amazon Prime; now Disney+, Apple TV+ and HBO Max will soon join, making the streaming wars more brutal than ever. To guide you through this time of change, Mintel analysts discuss how the streaming landscape will evolve, from pricing and content strategies to winners and losers. Plus, how will consumers navigate this...

While male grooming is on the rise, most men's bathroom cabinets are still a barren wasteland, occupied by only generic moisturiser, sad deodorant and a razor. Is that because men are not being catered for or because they simply don't care? Either way, the potential of the male grooming category isn't fully being met. Brands have an opportunity to stand out by going beyond the stereotypes of 'masc...

Following World Mental Health Day (10 Oct.), we reflect on what mental wellness means to consumers. While eating right and exercising were once considered the recipe for a balanced lifestyle, there's been a shift towards more holistic approaches. As levels of anxiety and stress increase, people across the globe are opening up about their struggles, starting conversations around mental wellbeing. B...

Our analysts have been following the New York, Milan, London and Paris fashion weeks through social media and by attending in person. From elevated neutrals and make-up colour-blocking to 3D nail art and dirty hair, they run through the key trends spotted on the runways. But what does it all mean for brands, buyers and retailers? They discuss how fashion can cater to modern-day, working women; why...

Digital advertising is a complex industry to navigate. Today's multi-channel advertising saturation means you can't demand people's attention any more - you have to earn it. Cross-device behaviour means consumers are on their mobile while watching TV and shopping on their laptop, interacting with multiple ads on multiple devices at the same time. So how can digital marketers remain relevant and en...

If 'comparison is the thief of joy', social media provides fertile ground for the crime. The addictive nature of social media platforms, combined with 24/7 access to people's (seemingly) perfect lives, creates a perfect storm of self-doubt, anxiety, FOMO and loneliness. From Instagram's trial of removing likes, to Pinterest suggesting wellbeing exercises, social media brands are starting to look a...

Seniors want to be active, independent and live in their homes for as long as possible. However, household chores present a major challenge, especially to those living alone and without help. As the demographic imbalance of fewer younger people and the lack of elder care professionals creates a void, the emergence of home automation and household robots present an opportunity for brands. Here, Min...

They hate hangovers; they'd rather hit the gym than go to the pub; they choose quality over quantity. Sometimes they drink alcohol; sometimes they don't. Ladies and gentlemen, meet 'the sober generation'. In 2019, being healthy is cool and underage drinking has hit its lowest point ever in the US. In this episode, Mintel experts discuss what's behind Gen Z's sober attitudes toward alcohol and iden...

Disclaimer: This episode will make you hungry! Today on Little Conversation, Mintel food analysts from the US, UK and Brazil discuss cuisines that are currently unexplored in their regions and determine what's set to take off next! Will it be Korea's sweet and spicy, gut-friendly flavours? The diverse and nuanced flavour of the Caribbean islands? Or will regional Indian cuisine be crowned as the n...

TV may still be the main news provider for consumers across the world, but issues of trust and credibility are undermining the institutional role of traditional media outlets. As cynical and critical audiences increasingly question the medis, what does the future of news look like? Are subscription-based models the answer to fake news? Can readers' loyalty save struggling media outlets? And how ca...

Veganism has taken the world by storm. We've watched the trend explode in front of our eyes and don't expect it to end anytime soon. In this episode, Mintel experts discuss how veganism has changed the rules across food, beauty and fashion. They address the good, the bad and the questionable issues around this complex topic: Does vegan equal healthy? How do we deal with the environmental impact of...

From the clothes we buy to the politicians we vote for, our opinions, decisions and tastes are constantly being influenced. With the help of social media, people have made a career from their ability to set trends and inspire action, a power that was once only reserved for celebrities and the elite. But who are these 'influencers' and do people still trust them? Host: Edward Bergen (Global Food &a...

In this episode, we look at the 'clean' movement in Beauty, Food & Drink and Household. Clean living is about what you put in and on your body. Interest in natural ingredients is based on the idea that for something to be healthy, it needs to be simple, unprocessed and as close to the real thing as possible. This is not a fad and clean formulations will continue to grow across categories. But...

While finding a healthy work-life balance often looks like an impossible feat, it seems to be even harder for Millennials. This is the 'work hard, play hard' generation that can do it all: get promoted, party, travel, meditate, socialise, work out, raise children - all while working afterhours and checking their email on evenings, weekends and holidays! And with social media adding an extra layer...

It may be losing its grip on young people, but Facebook remains, by far, the most influencial social media platform on the planet. In 2018, US companies allocated around 22% of their advertising budgets on Facebook. Despite scandals, fines and controversies, the business is thriving. But how is the tech giant going to shape its future? In this episode, we discuss how the recent debate around discr...

In today's episode, we drop the B-word! What does Brexit really mean for consumers? How is today's culture of individualism affecting the way people think about the economy? And why on earth is consumer confidence peaking despite all the uncertainty?! From savvy shopping to the experience economy, we give a 360 degree look at what's going on in Britain's minds and wallets. Plus, some wise advice f...

A bonus episode of Little Conversation just in time for the shopping event of the year: Amazon Prime Day! Spanning over two days (15-16 July), next week's Prime celebration seems to be bigger and better than ever. But will last year's success be replicated? How are other major retailers gearing up and should they even compete with Amazon? And what can we expect in the future? Join our expert analy...

As inclusion consultant Vernā Myers famously said, "diversity is being invited to the party, inclusion is being asked to dance". In this episode, we explore diversity. Brands have a responsibility to change the moral agenda by embracing all differences, no matter age, gender, ethnicity, religion, or disability, from the people they hire to the products they develop. Host: Andrew McDougall, Associa...