Seamless spending: exploring a cashless society Earlier this summer, after walking around Chicago on a hot and humid day, I stopped into a drugstore to buy a bottle of water. At the register, I ... Read More
The Olympics set the stage for consumer trends shaping the global landscape The Olympic Games – and the events, pageantry and branding that surrounds them – have long been a lively representation of real-time cultural shifts happening in the world. While wise ... Read More
Hungry planet: innovations aim to solve global resource and waste issues When you were a kid, your parents probably admonished you to finish your dinner. Not doing so (they’d say) would only contribute to existing hunger problems, and there ... Read More
Rules of connection: Who dictates etiquette on mobile device usage? I recently attended a friend's wedding, and all eyes were fixated on the bride in her flowy ivory gown as she glided down the aisle. Well, to be ... Read More
All-inclusive business models are no longer a novelty After investigating the dozens of all-inclusive resorts that abound in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, I finally pulled the figurative trigger on vacation. Booking was a huge relief; the research ... Read More
Exploring brand extensions with fresh opportunities I recently found myself traveling alone in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and one thing I did not find was a lot of English being spoken. I wanted to explore ... Read More
How consumers are benefiting from a self-monetized marketplace After officiating three friends’ weddings for free, it seems I should be monetizing my credentials. In the thick of planning my own wedding now, the whole process seems more ... Read More
Life changing innovations from CES 2016 This January, the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) descended upon Las Vegas, impressing the world with the latest developments in smart homes, the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual ... Read More
Are Americans ready to embrace tracking technology for personal safety? Amid the horrific Nov. 13 terror attacks in Paris, Facebook activated its ‘Safety Check’ tool – previously reserved solely for natural disasters – which helped 4.1 million users in ... Read More
Are Emojis next in universal slang? Generation X turned the word “fun” into a broadly used adjective. Baby Boomers mainstreamed terms like “hippie.” The Missionary Generation (born 1860 to 1882) gave us “fan.” Looking ... Read More
Delivery on demand: the desire for instant access anywhere I recently stumbled upon Avaya’s promotional “Stuff Business People Say” video, which uses comedic actors to call attention to terribly overused office jargon. The clip struck a chord ... Read More
How are our 2015 US consumer trend predictions playing out? At the start of the year, Mintel’s team of global expert analysts identified and analyzed four key consumer trends set to impact the US consumer market in 2015. ... Read More