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Consumer Trends

All articles tagged with #consumer trends

technology1 day ago•11 min saved

Used Tech Boom as Price Hikes Push Buyers Toward Refurbished Gear

Rising prices for new devices from Apple, Dell, and Microsoft—such as MacBook Pros, iPads, and Xboxes—are fueling a surge in demand for refurbished tech. Retailers report rapid sales and notable jumps in used-device purchases (Back Market: MacBook sales up 62% after price hikes; PayMore: computers up 30%). Surveys show roughly half of U.S. adults have considered buying used tech in the past year, with Millennials and Gen Z leading the trend, driven by AI-related costs, shrinkflation, and a shift toward value over the latest features. The movement also taps into nostalgia, as interest in older devices grows and people downgrade to get capable tech at lower prices.

via Business Insider|

#ai #consumer-trends #price-hike

business11 days ago•7 min saved

QR Codes Gate Sodas at Steak ’n Shake, Sparking Frustration and Debate

Steak ’n Shake is rolling out QR-code gated fountain drinks: after ordering, customers receive a receipt QR code that must be scanned at the soda machine to dispense the beverage, allowing only the purchased ounces. The change aims to curb theft and over-pouring, a pandemic-era germ-safety measure that morphed into a theft-prevention tool, given soda's high margins. Reactions on social media show confusion and frustration, and observers see it as part of a broader move toward kiosk ordering and app-only deals in fast food.

via The Big Lead|

#business #consumer-trends #fountain-soda

business2 months ago•6 min saved

Gen X Emerges as Beauty's Hidden Powerhouse

Gen X (born 1965–1980) is becoming the beauty market’s top spender, projected to lead global beauty spend through 2033 and to account for about 25% of beauty dollars as skincare, anti-aging, and wellness trends resonate with them. With high brand loyalty and a prime spending phase, they’re driving growth in skincare, haircare, and makeup, prompting Ulta, Sephora, and others to tailor products and experiences—including menopause-focused offerings and curated service—to meet this influential cohort, which often buys for both parents and children.

via CNBC|

#anti-aging #beauty-industry #brand-loyalty

business3 months ago•7 min saved

Napa Wineries Pivot as Demand Slows and Generations Change Taste

California’s wine sector, led by Napa, is entering a corrective phase after years of growth, with 2025 revenue and production down and demand unlikely to rebound quickly. The aging baby-boomer cohort is sunsetting, while Millennials and Gen Z show less alcohol affinity and a preference for spirits or ready-to-drink options, intensifying competition for a shrinking pool of consumers. Tourism shifts and export challenges (e.g., Canada) add headwinds. In response, smaller wineries are leaning into organic farming, direct-to-consumer sales, immersive experiences, and strong storytelling, while larger players like Gallo and Constellation have begun trimming staff. Despite the gloom, industry voices see opportunity in innovation and resilience as wineries adapt to a more stable, albeit smaller, growth trajectory.

via The Guardian|

#adaptation #business #consumer-trends

business4 months ago•13 min saved

Walmart extends gains as higher-income shoppers lead the way

Walmart posted a 5.6% Q4 revenue gain to $190.7B and 10.8% higher operating income, with full-year net sales up about 4.7% to $706.4B and revenue to $713.2B; global e-commerce grew 24%, led by store-based fulfillment and the Walmart Marketplace; U.S. sales rose 4.6% with flat comps. Management said most gains came from households earning over $100k, while lower-income wallets are stretched but still seek convenience; CEO John Furner highlighted Sparky, Walmart’s AI assistant, which correlates to roughly a 35% higher average order value for its users. The company issued a conservative FY27 outlook of 3.5-4.5% net sales growth and 6-8% operating income growth.

via Retail Dive|

#business #consumer-trends #e-commerce

business5 months ago•15 min saved

France's Traditional Bistros Fade as Costs and Change Reshape Dining

Across France, traditional bistros serving classic dishes are disappearing as costs rise and a new generation favors fast, affordable dining; restaurant profits have plunged (from 11% of turnover in 2023 to around 3% in 2024), and raw material costs rose about 16% while average menu prices climbed roughly 23%, contributing to thousands of closures (about 9,800 in a year) and a looming two-tier dining culture.

via BBC|

#badgenotused #business #consumer-trends

business5 months ago•3 min saved

Crying Horse Plush Becomes Viral Symbol of China's Corporate Grind

An affordable Yiwu-made crying horse plush with an upside-down smile has gone viral ahead of Lunar New Year, resonating with weary Chinese workers and turning a manufacturing glitch into a symbol of workplace stress and collective emotion on social media.

via Business Insider|

#business #china #consumer-trends

business5 months ago•455 min saved

Fiber Takes Center Stage as the Next Big Health Trend

Gen Z’s focus on gut health is driving a fiber craze, with retailers adding high-fiber products and major brands like PepsiCo framing fiber as the next big trend after protein. Data show strong consumer interest in fiber-forward foods and snacks, while grocers and private-labels expand fiber-rich offerings. Still, experts caution that real, fiber-rich produce remains the best source, and taste matters as brands balance health goals with palatability amid dietary guidelines emphasizing whole foods.

via CNN|

#business #consumer-trends #fiber

business5 months ago•1 min saved

Dry January Sparks a Boom in Hemp-THC Beverages

As Dry January boosts demand for nonalcoholic hemp-derived THC drinks, retailers are expanding shelves and sales are rising, but a new federal law could push these products off shelves, creating regulatory risk amid growing consumer interest.

via The New York Times|

#beverages #business #consumer-trends

business6 months ago•9 min saved

Sprinkles Cupcakes: Rise of a Beverly Hills Boom, Now an Abrupt Shutdown

Sprinkles Cupcakes grew from Candace Nelson’s home bakery to a nationwide brand with signature 24‑hour cupcake ATMs and dozens of shops, but after Nelson’s 2012 exit and a private-equity takeover, the company abruptly closed all company‑owned locations by Dec. 31, 2025, leaving employees jobless and highlighting the risks of brick‑and‑mortar bakeries amid rising costs and shifting consumer tastes, despite diversification efforts like DTC sales and a new franchise program.

via Los Angeles Times|

#bakery-industry #business #consumer-trends

business10 months ago•2 min saved

Kraft Heinz to Split Amidst Changing Tastes and Strategic Shake-Up

Kraft Heinz is splitting into two companies after a decade of underperformance and a $57 billion loss in market value, marking a significant setback for Warren Buffett's investment. The breakup aims to focus on different product categories but raises questions about the effectiveness of splitting in a declining consumer demand environment for processed foods.

via Fortune|

#business #consumer-trends #kraft-heinz

business10 months ago•2 min saved

Starbucks Introduces Permanent Protein Lattes and Cold Foams

Starbucks is launching new protein-packed cold foam and lattes on September 29, catering to the growing consumer demand for high-protein options, with various flavors and customization options, as part of its menu modernization and sales growth strategy.

via CNBC|

#business #consumer-trends #lattes

business10 months ago•10 min saved

Millennials' Favorite Companies: Growth or Decline?

Once-trendy millennial brands like Midea and Glossier are facing challenges as their appeal wanes and they struggle to stay relevant, with many shifting from trendy, purpose-driven marketing to more mainstream, product-focused strategies amid retail declines and changing consumer preferences. The era of the 'cool' millennial brand is fading, replaced by more traditional retail models and a focus on product quality over branding gimmicks.

via Business Insider|

#brand-aging #brand-authenticity #business

business11 months ago•3 min saved

Pepsi Launches Prebiotic Cola to Capitalize on Health Trends

PepsiCo is launching a healthier version of its classic cola, called Pepsi Prebiotic Cola, to attract health-conscious consumers and younger drinkers shifting towards gut-friendly and sparkling water options. The new soda, which contains prebiotic fibers and no artificial sweeteners, aims to revive interest in the traditional cola flavor and compete with brands like Poppi and Olipop. It will initially be sold online in November before expanding to retailers in 2026, as Pepsi seeks to adapt to changing consumer preferences and boost sales.

via CNN|

#better-for-you #business #consumer-trends

health-and-science11 months ago•6 min saved

Common Mistakes That Sabotage Vegan Diets and How to Fix Them

Despite the popularity of plant-based foods and the growth of meat substitutes, recent sales in UK supermarkets have declined for three consecutive years, possibly due to consumer preferences shifting towards less processed, more authentic foods, and taste and texture issues with current meat alternatives. The future of vegan food may depend on developing better, more palatable products and understanding evolving consumer demands.

via The i Paper|

#consumer-trends #food-industry #health-and-science