Mintel Newsletter April 2015

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25 YEARS OF INNOVATION: THE PRODUCTS THAT HAVE CHANGED THE FACE OF BEAUTY

Mintel’s Beauty & Personal Care experts have identified the beauty products that have shaped the industry – and changed the landscape – of beauty over the past 25 years. Take a journey through key beauty innovation milestones, rediscover the iconic products that still remain relevant to consumers today and take a look ahead at what’s next by watching our latest video.

HOW ON-THE-GO EATING HABITS ARE IMPACTING BREAKFAST INNOVATION IN GERMANY

Consumers’ busy lifestyles are having a major impact on the way they eat, with traditional at-home meals increasingly being replaced by convenient meals or snacks consumed in transit. When surveyed on eating habits in 2015, half of German respondents stated that they had eaten breakfast – which is traditionally considered the most important meal of the day – on-the-go within the past three months. Looking in more detail, breakfast is consumed on-the-go by one in eight consumers at least once a week, and by over a third at least once a month.

CHINESE CONSUMERS GET A TASTE FOR PREMIUM MILK WITH ADDED BENEFITS

Premium milk has gained momentum in China, with the Chinese market appearing more open to more functional milk products. In the sixth months to January 2014 36% of urban Chinese consumers spent more on premium milk and another 25% bought more pasturised milk that must be refrigerated; suggesting an opportunity for functional milk in China.

HOW CAN BRANDS SPICE UP THE SEASONINGS MARKET IN EUROPE?

Homemade dinners are often incomplete without the added kick that seasoning provides and as the desire to cook from scratch grows in Europe, the penetration of seasoning is becoming almost universal. The ‘scratch cooking’ trend was largely borne out of the economic downturn, where financial concerns saw consumers turn away from expensive prepared meals and eating out and head back to home cooking. The trend can also be seen to reflect increased consumer desire for customisation and experimentation.

A PRIVATE FUNCTION: CONSUMERS AND PRIVACY IN 2015 AND BEYOND

At the start of 2014, we predicted that consumers would be looking for greater privacy, but also greater functionality from their data. One year later, we find that not only is this happening, but that consumers are increasingly concerned and confused about their data. In our new download, Mintel’s Senior Trends Consultant Richard Cope looks at the conflicting conundrums of privacy versus customised services, the protective options available to consumers and how data tracking may become more beneficial for them in future.

ICE CREAM INSIGHTS AND CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS: 3 TRENDS IMPACTING THE US MARKET

At this year’s Ice Cream Technology Conference, innovation and inspiration where top of mind for everyone in attendance. Mintel’s research reveals that the global ice cream market managed to muster a 3% increase in 2014. Global volume sales of ice cream climbed slightly faster (4%), reflecting the category’s expansion in emerging markets. The industry is keenly focused on market opportunities and flavor inspirations to spur growth and reengage consumers.

SMART MIRRORS ENCOURAGE CONSUMERS TO BRUSH UP ON THEIR ORAL CARE

Smart technology is rapidly becoming a large part of our daily routines. Last year Oral-B launched the first app-controlled toothbrush – the world’s first interactive electric toothbrush which allows users to personalise their brushing, as well as share data with their dentist. The launch reflects the entrance of smart tech into the most fundamental of daily actions. However, they didn’t stop there, Oral-B is now developing a smart mirror, presented at Mobile World Congress 2015 recently, designed to allow third party developers to create apps for the smart toothbrush.

WILL DIGITAL DISINFECTANT CHANGE THE WAY WE CLEAN?

Consumers shopping for disinfectant will be no strangers to the vast array of bottles in different shapes, sizes and colours that they are greeted with in the supermarket and online. However, a new concept from US company Vital Vio could see one day see the way we disinfect our surfaces revolutionised.

IS ‘BRINNER’ THE KEY TO RE-IGNITING CONSUMER INTEREST IN EATING OUT?

The phenomenon of brunch is one that many are very familiar with as they groggily reach for pancakes, bacon and eggs on a weekend morning, however breakfast could be poised to infiltrate other times of the day too. ‘Brinner’, breakfast dishes consumed at other meal times, is fast becoming a way consumers are fulfilling their desire to explore menu opportunities outside the norm.

IS THE MUSIC STREAMING INDUSTRY SET FOR A TIDAL WAVE?

When it comes to music streaming services, the minds of many consumers will instantly turn to the streaming giant Spotify. Indeed, the service dominates the music streaming market in the UK, with almost half of UK consumers choosing it as their main provider. The market leader reaches a similar number of paid listeners, with 47% using it as their main streaming site. Yet recent controversy has seen a new player emerge into the market.