Mintel Little Conversation

Host Andrew Davidson welcomes guests Richard Cope, Lisa Dubina and Scott Stewart for a discussion about consumer attitudes towards sustainability, how they are changing and what brands should do to adapt. Climate change and water and food shortages are rising to the top of global consumers' priority lists as events like the Ukraine conflict and extreme weather play a greater role in their daily lives. Learn about the behavioural differences across markets, why brands need to be more aware of changing preferences, the role of authenticity and education in messaging, and the brands, products and services that stand out - for better or worse. Listen now! This episode is a preview of the upcoming 2022 Sustainability Barometer. Download the free 2021 Sustainability Barometer (mintel.com/consumer-sustainability-barometer) and keep an eye on Mintel's social channels in the coming weeks for access to the new research. Mintel clients can log in now to access the US (reports.mintel.com/display/1101749/) and Canada (reports.mintel.com/display/1100449/) Sustainable Consumer reports. Non-clients should visit the Mintel Store (store.mintel.com/) to learn more and buy a report today. Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia. Guests: Richard Cope, Senior Trends Consultant, EMEA, author of the Mintel Sustainability Barometer. Lisa Dubina, Associate Director, Culture and Identity, Mintel Reports US. Scott Stewart, Associate Director, Lifestyles and Retail, Mintel Reports Canada.

Host Andrew McDougall and his guests explore themes of pleasure and escapism and the nuanced role brands play in boosting consumer happiness in 2022. The 24-hour news cycle, climate catastrophe and cost of living crisis (among others) make it more important than ever for consumers to find moments of joy, but how do brands strike a balance between instant gratification, anticipation and mental containment? In the food and drink space, the experts dissect the relationship between enjoyment and satisfaction, covering everything from validating hedonistic, guilty pleasures to an alternative theory about permissible indulgence. In the beauty industry, what does the future hold for multisensory products that trigger stimulating effects on the brain? Listen now to hear about the key motivations behind the desire for enjoyment and what brands can do in response to engage consumers. Learn more about Mintel's 2022 Global Consumer Trend 'Enjoyment Everywhere' by downloading the free thought piece today! https://www.mintel.com/global-consumer-trends. Learn more about Mintel Trends at mintel.com/mintel-trends. Get the latest insights, thinking and perspectives on consumers at mintel.com/blog. Host: Andrew McDougall, Director, Mintel Beauty & Personal Care. Guests: Simon Moriarty, Director, Mintel Trends, EMEA. Alex Beckett, Director, Mintel Food & Drink. Ayisha Koyenikan, Associate Director, Mintel Food & Drink.

Host Samantha Dover leads a discussion about the multifaceted definition of value. Joined by Rebecca Vella, Director of Food & Drink Insights at Mintel, and Andrea Payne, Head of Marketing at Kraft Heinz, the trio debates what creates brand value for consumers and how perceptions have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Brands and marketers should consider how, when, and where they communicate value to consumers, the role transparency plays in overall brand strategy, and what opportunities exist for future consideration, including premiumisation. Join the conversation and listen now! Mintel clients can log in now to read all about Mintel Trend Driver 'Value'. For those who are interested in learning more but aren't a Mintel client, check out Mintel's 2030 Global Consumer Trends - the 7 core drivers of consumer behaviour that will shape global markets. Host: Samantha Dover, Category Director, Mintel Beauty & Personal Care. Guests: Rebecca Vella, Director of Insights, Mintel Food & Drink, APAC. Andrea Payne, Head of Marketing, Beverages, The Kraft Heinz Company.

In today's episode, host Samantha Dover is joined by UK and US retail experts to discuss the direct-to-consumer (DTC) model by defining what it is and making sense of what all the hype is about. They address the key benefits for brands, how to scale, who the best-in-class disruptors are, and what future opportunities exist in the marketplace. But before brands jump in, consider some of the red flags, including the purchase drivers that encourage consumers to buy direct and consumers' barriers to entry. Mintel's retail experts discuss these topics and more - listen now! Discover our latest retail and DTC consumer and market research and purchase a report today in the Mintel Store at store.mintel.com/industries/retail. Get the latest insights, thinking and perspectives on consumers at mintel.com/blog and subscribe to our newsletter at Mintel.com/mintel-newsletter. Host: Samantha Dover, Category Director, Mintel Beauty & Personal Care. Guests :Nick Carroll, Retail Category Director, Mintel Reports UK. Katie Hansen, Retail and Ecommerce Analyst, Mintel Reports US.

In today's episode, host Elysha Yong welcomes consumer lifestyle and marketing strategy experts to discuss astrology. It's has been around since the 3rd millennium BC as a way to explain human behaviour (or so some believe). Today, it's experiencing a resurgence—driven by social media—that began with Millennials and has now exploded with Gen Z. The experts explain why the sudden interest from a consumer perspective, discussing themes like spirituality, the collective, self-expression, decision paralysis and regaining control. Curious to understand how and why brands are getting involved, who's doing it well and where the opportunity exists? Listen now to find out what marketers should know before weaving the zodiac into their next brand campaign. Download Mintel's 2022 Global Consumer Trends for free at mintel.com/global-consumer-trends or watch the video at youtube.com/watch?v=jIePecKGhvw. Learn more about Mintel Trends at mintel.com/mintel-trends. Get the latest insights, thinking and perspectives on consumers at mintel.com/blog. Host: Elysha Young, Trends Manager, APAC. Guests: Huiqi Ong, Consumer Lifestyle Analyst, Mintel Reports. Diana Kelter, Associate Director, Mintel Trends, North America. Nicole Bond, Associate Director, Marketing Strategy, Mintel Comperemedia.

In today's episode, host Andrew Davidson is joined by category and consumer trend experts to discuss the metaverse—the concept of a virtual, 3-D, interactive world that has so many of us intrigued. They filter through the hype, break down what it means for consumers, and discuss how brands should think about the metaverse in the medium and long term, including recommendations for how to incorporate the trend into brand innovation and marketing strategy. From its origin and barriers to entry to the value it offers consumers and brands to watch, let's talk about the metaverse. Listen now! For more industry-specific explorations of the metaverse, visit the Mintel Blog (mintel.com/blog) and head to the Mintel Store (store.mintel.com/industries/technology-telecoms) to buy a report. Find out how shifts in consumer behaviour will impact markets and brands now, in the next few years and into the future by downloading the Mintel 2022 Global Consumer Trends (mintel.com/global-consumer-trends) for free. Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia. Guests: Joey Khong, Analyst, Mintel Trends, Southeast Asia. Thomas Slide, Director, Mintel Reports UK. Fiona O'Donnell, Senior Director, Mintel Reports US.

In today's episode, host Elysha Young shines a spotlight on the science and art of consumer trend forecasting. She is joined by global consumer trend experts to discuss how trends are defined, how companies like Mintel identify new trends and the value of understanding consumer trends. There are a few ways to define a trend - changing collective attitudes, the fluid, forward movement of a landscape, any significant shift in behaviour - but no matter how you describe it, the experts are clear on three things: fads and trends are not the same; the evolution and trajectory of a trend are dependent on demographics; and knowing about consumer trends is critically important for calculating potential competitive, disruptive implications. Find out why by listening now. Learn more about Mintel Trends at mintel.com/mintel-trends. Download Mintel's 2022 Global Consumer Trends for free at mintel.com/global-consumer-trends. Get the latest insights, thinking and perspectives on consumers at mintel.com/blog. Host: Elysha Young, Trends Manager, APAC. Guests: Dana Macke, Director of Mintel Trends, Americas. Simon Moriarty, Director of Mintel Trends, EMEA. Matthew Crabbe, Director of Mintel Trends, APAC.

In today's episode, host Andrew Davidson and Toby Clark, Director of EMEA Research at Mintel, discuss the impact of inflation on consumers in Europe and North America, specifically the cost of living, how it will shape consumer behaviour in the coming months, and the overall impact on brands. Hear from Mintel category and consumer experts on how inflation is affecting the retail, beauty and personal care, travel, food and drink, and financial services industries worldwide; the parallels that can be drawn between today and the Global Financial Crisis (2008) with regard to wages and economic growth; and the differences between consumer groups. Brand loyalty, savvy shopping behaviours, perceptions of value and transparency, and conscious consumerism are all being tested. What brands are agile enough to make it through? Listen now to find out. To learn more about Mintel research on the impact of inflation including strategies for brands to help consumers deal with inflation (mintel.com/blog/consumer-market-news/5-key-strategies-for-brands-to-help-consumers-deal-with-inflation) and the cost of living crisis (mintel.com/blog/consumer-market-news/cost-of-living-crisis-3-strategies-for-brands-to-help-consumers-deal-with-the-squeeze-on-incomes), check out the Mintel Blog. Mintel research on UK (store.mintel.com/report/b2b-economic-outlook-uk-winter-2021) and US (store.mintel.com/report/consumers-and-the-economic-outlook-us-winter-2022) consumers and the economic outlooks are available for purchase in the Mintel Store. Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia. Guests: Toby Clark, Director of EMEA Research, Mintel. Diana Smith, Associate Director, Retail and eCommerce, Mintel Reports US. Roshida Khanom, Category Director, Mintel Beauty and Personal Care. Marloes de Vries, Associate Director, Travel, Mintel Reports UK. Kiti Soininen, Category Director, Food and Drink, Mintel Reports UK.

In today's episode—the official start to Season 4 of Mintel Little Conversation—host Andrew Davidson, Bruce Biegel, Senior Managing Partner at Winterberry Group, and Lierin Ehmke, Insights Manager, Mintel Comperemedia Omni, discuss the marketing and advertising outlook for 2022. In addition to tackling where the industry is headed, what marketers need to pay attention to and what the overall brand implications are, the trio also debates channel spend and the shifting consumer relationship with various marketing channels in the year ahead. Does your TikTok strategy need a second look? How about video? Are you sleeping on out-of-home? Listen now for the full 2022 forecast. Learn more about Bruce Biegel and Winterberry Group at winterberrygroup.com. Download Comperemedia's 2022 Omnichannel Marketing Trends for free at welcome.comperemedia.com/omnichannel-marketing-trends/. Get the latest insights, thinking and perspectives on consumers at mintel.com/blog and competitive marketing intelligence at welcome.comperemedia.com/blog/. Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia. Guests: Bruce Biegel, Senior Managing Partner, Winterberry Group. Lierin Ehmke, Insights Manager, Mintel Comperemedia Omni.

In today's pre-season special, host Andrew Davidson and Aspiration CEO Andrei Cherny discuss the societal shift that's occurring as consumers shop more consciously and things like the environment and ethics play an increasingly important role in consumer behaviour. Cherny has worked for decades to make the financial system more sustainable and fair; with Aspiration, he offers an 'eco-friendly alternative to the big banks' telling consumers to 'leave your bank, save the planet'. Hear Andrei's take on why consumers are caring more, why brands struggle with consumer trust, the sustainability-as-a-service model, and what he says to those who question the impact of planting trees as a credit card reward. In the second half of the episode, Andrew speaks with Richard Cope, Senior Trends Consultant at Mintel and author of the Mintel Sustainability Barometer, to get his expert opinion on sustainability-as-a-service. Why is eco-banking sexy? What's different now compared to companies that have attempted this in the past? What role does marketing play—specifically, the celebrity influencer? And are consumers ready to buy in? Listen now to find out. Learn more about Aspiration at aspiration.com. Download the free Mintel Sustainability Barometer at mintel.com/consumer-sustainability-barometer. Learn more about the financial services industry and buy a report today at store.mintel.com/industries/financial-services. Get the latest insights, thinking and perspectives on what consumers want and why at mintel.com/blog. Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia. Guests: Andrei Cherny, Aspiration CEO. Richard Cope, Senior Trends Consultant, Mintel.

As 2021 comes to a close, so too does season 3 of Mintel Little Conversation. In today's season finale episode, the Little Conversation hosts chat about the most fascinating topics from the year and share their picks for what's set to make an impact in 2022. From 'buy now pay later' and climate change to diversity, inclusion and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), hear what these consumer, brand and marketing experts have to say about the year that was, how consumer behaviour will shift in the months ahead and what brands and marketers should be doing to prepare. And for a bit of fun to end the season, join the hosts for a quiz at the end of the episode to test your knowledge of global consumer behaviour. Listen now! Host: Andrew McDougall, Associate Director, Global Beauty and Personal Care. Guests: Elysha Young, Trends Manager, APAC. Samantha Dover, Global Beauty Analyst, Mintel Beauty & Personal Care. Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia.

In today's episode, host Sam Dover welcomes Jo-Anne Chidley, Founder of sustainable beauty brand Beauty Kitchen, and Richard Cope, Senior Trends Consultant at Mintel and author of the 2021 Mintel Sustainability Barometer, to discuss how recent shifts in consumers' sustainability beliefs, behaviours and purchases are impacting brands. Following COP26 - the United Nations climate change conference that came to a close in mid-November - is consumer awareness and education on the rise? What are the implications for brands both inside and outside the sustainability space? Will consumers and brands ever be totally aligned on sustainability? The experts tackle these questions and more, make the case for sustainability as an innovation driver, and offer advice for brands questioning the value of sustainability. Listen now to learn more and check out episode 74 for a discussion about making better sustainability-driven business decisions. Host: Samantha Dover, Global Beauty Analyst, Mintel Beauty & Personal Care Guests: Jo-Anne Chidley, Founder of Beauty Kitchen. Richard Cope, Senior Trends Consultant, Mintel Consulting.

In today's episode, host Elysha Young is joined by retail and marketing experts from the US, Europe and China to discuss the rise of social commerce - what it is, the role of influencers and micro-influencers, how it's disrupting traditional e-commerce, and how technology gives certain markets the advantage. There are critical factors driving consumer engagement and proven tactics delivering success for major social commerce players. But how will those change as brands become less social and social media brands become more commerce-centred? Looking ahead, will social platforms help new businesses and startups grow in the social commerce market and, potentially, democratise the industry? The experts offer their advice for brands considering leveraging a social commerce strategy. Listen now! Host: Elysha Young, Trends Manager, APAC. Guests: Lierin Ehmke, Insights Manager, Mintel Comperemedia Omni. Nick Carroll, Associate Director, European Retail Research. Samuel Yi, Category Director, Retail, Tech and Media, Mintel Reports China.

In this episode of Mintel Little Conversation, host Andrew Davidson is joined by thought leaders across the telecom and media, insurance and omnichannel marketing industries to discuss Mintel Comperemedia's 2021 trend predictions - what the experts got right or wrong and key lessons for marketers as we emerge from the pandemic. Some industries weathered the storm of 2020 by rising to the occasion, but 2021 meant bracing for resets as consumers settled into their 'next normal'. Others had to double-down on innovation to find success - from multi-dimensional engagement to unexpected collaborations and blurred product offers. In 2021, we saw increased marketing spend in certain channels, a shift in messaging tone to be more 'helpful' and campaigns that focused on credibility, localism, brand awareness and a consumer-first perspective. What were the pressing issues and hot topics for marketers in 2021? How did brands step up and step ahead of the competition? What do marketers need to know with regard to offline experiences, blurring marketing and entertainment, and empowerment when planning their 2022 strategies? Listen now to find out! Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia. Guests: Emily Groch, Director of Insights, Telecom, Mintel Comperemedia. Lierin Ehmke, Omni Insights Manager, Mintel Comperemedia. Nicole Bond, Senior Research Analyst, Mintel Comperemedia.

In this episode of Mintel Little Conversation, host Andrew Davidson is joined by retail experts Diana Smith and Nick Carroll to discuss the 2021 holiday shopping season. From politics, the economy and inflation to supply chain issues and the Delta variant, they analyse the industry, consumer and market changes that have altered or evolved retail shopping over the last year and the impact on brands and retailers over the coming months. Are supply chain issues and product shortages real threats to consumers' holiday shopping plans and retailers' brand images or is it a tactic to encourage early, full-price shopping? What strategies can retailers employ to combat staffing shortages? The experts share their predictions for 2021 and debate whether or not we'll see a continuation of the trend in record-breaking e-commerce growth or the recovery of brick-and-mortar sales; if consumers will continue to gravitate towards independent and local retailers or if same-day delivery, price matching and flexible return policies will win out. Curious to know if gift cards or experiences will be this year's top gift? Listen now to find out! Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia. Guests: Diana Smith, Associate Director, Retail and eCommerce, Mintel Reports US. Nick Carroll, Associate Director, European Retail Research.

In this episode of Little Conversation, host Samantha Dover is joined by experts in consumer trends and purchase behaviour for a discussion about brand loyalty and to answer the questions: how has brand loyalty changed, what behaviour shifts are driving those changes, and what opportunities are there for brands to create loyalty in the future? The COVID-19 pandemic saw consumers prioritising needs over wants and redefining what value means to them, whether that's value through price, quality, convenience, or needs met. The last 18 months also saw an increase in consumer desire for experiences and looking to brands to fill that void. Today, the demand for value and experience are merging, offering brands unique opportunities to reward consumers and drive loyalty - but how? Listen now to find out. Host: Samantha Dover, Senior Beauty and Personal Care Analyst, Mintel Reports UK. Guests: Diana Kelter, Senior Trends Analyst, Americas. Jane Hurh, Associate Director, Mintel Purchase Intelligence.

In this episode of Little Conversation, host Edward Bergen is joined by experts in food and drink, beauty and personal care, and DE&I for an honest discussion about whether or not brands should take a stand concerning ethical, environmental, political and/or social justice issues. The data makes for a compelling case: nearly two-thirds of consumers say they prefer to be associated with brands that align with their values. But how consumers behave tells a different story, one where convenience, price and the product delivering on its promise are most important. So, when - and how - will a brand find success moving beyond the role of providing goods for money and taking a stand for a worthy cause? Are certain industries and audiences more receptive to brand ethics and social responsibility? How thin is the line between brand ethos and marketing campaign? And when do virtue signalling and cancel culture bring it all crashing down? Listen now to find out. Host: Edward Bergen, Consultant, Mintel. Guests: Sarah Jindal, Associate Director, Mintel Beauty and Personal Care. Jonny Forsyth, Associate Director, Mintel Food and Drink. Adiat Baker, Global Diversity Manager, Mintel.

In this episode of Little Conversation, host Matthew Crabbe discusses the vast and nuanced concept of convenience with experts in consumer behaviour and trend analysis. As the pandemic has significantly shifted how and why consumers make decisions, they consider how consumer expectations around convenience have changed, what consumers now expect from brands in delivering convenience, and what the next convenience benefits will be that consumers will demand from brands. Is convenience more about saving time or making 'difficult things' less difficult? Are innovation, information, technology, and experiences facilitating or hindering convenience, and how do demographics come into play? They also look ahead and debate whether or not consumers will slow it all down and revert to pre-pandemic behaviours, sharing their predictions for the future of convenience that supports routine, reward, value, curation, and subscription. Listen now! Host: Matthew Crabbe, Director of Mintel Trends, APAC. Guests: Diana Kelter, Senior Trends Analyst, Americas. Elysha Young, Manager, Mintel Trends, APAC. Liisa Kontas, Trends Analyst, EMEA.

In this episode of Mintel Little Conversation, host Andrew Davidson sits down with entrepreneur and investor Ankur Jain to discuss his latest project—an innovative, new loyalty program and co-branded credit card called Bilt Rewards, aimed at renters. Through parent company Kairos HQ, one of Ankur's goals is to use technology to make everyday expenses more affordable, specifically for Millennial and Gen Z consumers. From Bilt's value proposition, features, and marketing strategy to the accelerated launch in summer 2021, Ankur shares why and how they are disrupting the apartment rental market and taking on traditional credit card rewards, as well as his insights on what brands and marketers should consider when targeting younger consumers. Following Ankur's interview, Andrew speaks with Mark Miller, Director of Financial Services Insights at Mintel Comperemedia, to get his take and discuss broader implications for the credit card industry. Listen now! Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia. Guests: Ankur Jain, Founder and CEO of Bilt, co-founder and co-CEO of Kairos HQ. Mark Miller, Director of Insights, Financial Services, Mintel Comperemedia.

In this episode of Mintel Little Conversation, host Andrew Davidson is joined by some of Mintel's best and brightest—three of the authors of Mintel's 2021 Trends spanning the global consumer, food and drink, and beauty and personal care categories. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mintel analysts sat down to predict future consumer behaviour and its impact on business strategy. Hear their take on the value of trend forecasting and of revisiting trends to see how the pandemic added strength to or challenged certain predictions, and accelerated, paused or even erased already-evolving consumer behaviours. What roles did routine, ritual, wellbeing, value and experience play in 2021 and how have trend trajectories been altered as a result? Curious to know what they're predicting for 2022 and beyond? Listen now to find out! Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia. Guests: Sarah Jindal, Associate Director, Mintel Beauty & Personal Care. Jenny Zegler, Associate Director, Mintel Food & Drink. Simon Moriarty, Director of Mintel Trends, EMEA.

In this episode of Mintel Little Conversation, host Andrew McDougall dives into the world of challenger brands—what drives them, what makes them successful, why we need them, and what more established brands can learn from them. They provide disruption beyond new product innovation and use storytelling to create communities around an untapped consumer need, from ingredients and packaging to brand ethos. Prioritising psychographics over demographics, agility and speed in decision making, and disrupting cultural norms by normalising new behaviours, learn about the strategies that drive success for indie brands. Host: Andrew McDougall, Associate Director, Global Beauty and Personal Care. Guests: Lauren Goodsitt, Senior Global Beauty Analyst. Simon Moriarty, Director, Mintel Trends, EMEA.

Following the recent release of the Mintel Sustainability Barometer 2021, host Samantha Dover sits down with consumer lifestyle experts, trend spotters, and futurists to discuss the current state of global consumers' sustainability behaviours, preferences, and purchases. The question of whether or not the average consumer really cares about sustainability is an important one, but equally important is how much do consumers actually know about sustainability, and issues like climate change, single-use plastic, and solar energy, as that directly impacts how brands should develop new products, messaging strategies, and future planning. The consumer experts and brands strategists take us through the nuances of the data, including the impact of the 'sustainability gap', and offer advice and recommendations for brands and marketers that want to make better sustainability-driven decisions. Download the free Mintel Sustainability Barometer 2021 at mintel.com/consumer-sustainability-barometer. Host: Samantha Dover, Senior Beauty and Personal Care Analyst, Mintel Reports UK. Guests: Richard Cope, Senior Trends Consultant, Mintel Consulting. Elysha Young, Manager, Mintel Trends, APAC. Lisa Dubina, Senior Analyst, Culture and Identity, Mintel Reports US.

There are roughly 44 million active patents globally. While well-known to those in the legal field, patents can serve as a massive library of scientific information and product innovation for brands and marketers. But what exactly is a patent and why/how should marketers pay more attention to them? In today's episode, host Edward Bergen welcomes two patent experts to discuss the insights brands can discover from patent filings to inform product innovation, competitive market analysis, and marketing strategy, and the impact patents have on the future of a range of industries including food, drink, beauty, financial services, and insurance. Host: Edward Bergen, Consultant, Mintel. Guests: Nigel Swycher, CEO and co-founder of Cipher, and Host of Cipher Vision podcast. Neha Srivastava, Patent Analyst, Food, Drink, Beauty and Personal Care, Mintel. To know more about Cipher, please visit https://cipher.ai/ To listen to Cipher Vision podcast, visit https://cipher.ai/podcast-cipher-vision/

As consumers globally slowly emerge from the pandemic, will they be eager to spend on discounted electronics, appliances, and streaming subscriptions or has the luster of Amazon Prime Day's 48-hour sale (June 21-22) faded due to a damaged company image and increased competition? Mintel retail, consumer, and competitive marketing experts discuss the significance of Prime Day, its impact on the evolution of the ecommerce sector and retail competition overall, as well as what the future holds for Amazon. Listen now to find out what brands and advertisers should take away from Prime Day 2021. Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia. Guests: Diana Smith, Associate Director, Retail and eCommerce, Mintel Reports US. Nick Carroll, Associate Director, Retail Research, Mintel Reports UK. Lierin Ehmke, Omnichannel Content Manager, Mintel Comperemedia.

Data privacy is appearing in the headlines more and more as ransomware attacks have exposed how vulnerable governments, institutions, and companies can be to security breaches. Mintel experts from around the globe sit down to discuss the state of data privacy, specifically consumers' privacy expectations, their expectations of brands, and the risk/reward for sharing their data. What steps are consumers taking to safeguard their online behaviour and how will that impact brands? What can marketers learn from the brands that are expertly navigating the present landscape? Listen now to find out how data privacy is playing out in different categories and what challenges lie ahead. Host: Matthew Crabbe, Director of Mintel Trends, APAC. Guests: Rebecca McGrath, Senior Media Analyst, Mintel Reports UK. Alex Milinazzo, Trends Analyst, Americas. Pongsanguan Jiradechakul, Lifestyles Analyst, Mintel Reports Thailand.

The pandemic has altered a lot about how people live, but also where they live. Lockdowns, restrictions, and indefinite work-from-home policies are forcing consumers to change their behaviours which is accelerating timelines and expanding the realm of possibility of where home is. When it comes to cities and how they are used, the consumer mindset is changing. In this week's episode, futurists and consumer trend strategists discuss whether or not the concept - and fundamental appeal - of a city centre is now obsolete, how cities must evolve to meet new demands from consumers, communities, and economies, and the opportunities this creates for brands to assume bigger roles in consumers' lives. If the concept of home is expanding to include work, then will cities revert back to being hubs for entertainment, learning, and play? Listen now to find out. Host: Elysha Young, Trends Manager, APAC. Guests: Richard Cope, Senior Trends Consultant, EMEA. Diana Kelter, Senior Trends Analyst, Americas. Matthew Crabbe, Director of Mintel Trends, APAC.

Last autumn, we gathered a few of our consumer experts for a discussion on vices. At the time of the original air date, we were in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic and many of us were months into indulging our vices in order to make it through. Today, we're revisiting that conversation. With some economies opening up and regaining a bit of normalcy, meanwhile, others are experiencing devastating third waves and stalled vaccination programs, how consumers are managing their mental health, finding catharsis, and redefining their sense of community and culture is important now more than ever. And vices have an important role to play - from indulgent food and drink to enticing gaming and gambling. The question is, how do marketers identify their brand's role in all of this? Listen now to find out. Host: Edward Bergen, Consultant, EMEA. Guests: John Poelking, Senior Gaming Analyst, Mintel Reports US. Marcia Mogelonsky, Director of Insight, Mintel Food and Drink. Jonny Forsyth, Associate Director, Mintel Food and Drink.

When is the last time you evaluated your social media strategy? With the recent developments, new features, and entirely new platforms, host Andrew Davidson sits down with Mintel social media experts to discuss the trends driving the ever-evolving social media landscape, how brands are responding to changing consumer behaviours, and what marketers must do to stay competitive in the next 12 months. Post-COVID-19 consumer behaviours, expectations of accountability and transparency, and earned/organic content all have a critical role to play in a good social media strategy. Listen now to find out what the experts recommend. Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia. Guests : John Poelking, Senior Gaming Analyst, Mintel Reports US. Rebecca McGrath, Senior Media Analyst, Mintel Reports UK. Laura Ziemer, AVP, Marketing Intelligence Advisory.

Mental health awareness, impact, and support have become key concerns in recent years and have been accelerated by the pandemic. In this episode, host Edward Bergen sits down with consumer and industry experts in the health and wellness, food and drink, and beauty and personal care spaces to discuss the dynamic landscape of mental health awareness and action from the consumer perspective. With the majority of consumers acknowledging that they experience stress, anxiety, and burnout in their daily lives, there are unique opportunities for CPG and DTC brands to create accessible and approachable products and solutions. What roles should brands play in supporting consumers' mental health journeys? Listen now to find out! Host: Edward Bergen, Consultant. Guests: Andrea Wroble, Senior Health and Wellness Research Analyst, Mintel Reports US, Alex Becket, Associate Director, Food and Drink, Andrew McDougall, Associate Director, Beauty.

On this episode, host Andrew McDougall chats with category and consumer experts about the trends shaping, shifting, and accelerating markets this year. They cover trends in food, drink, foodservice, beauty, personal care, and household care, as well as the overarching themes that are driving global consumer behaviour, like experiences, rights, wellbeing and technology. They share some of the behind-the-scenes of the trend forecasting process and the profound impact the pandemic has had - and continues to have. This one is a must-listen for marketers as they develop post-COVID-19 strategies for the short, medium, and long term. Host: Andrew McDougall, Associate Director, Global Beauty and Personal Care. Guests: Simon Moriarty, Director of Mintel Trends, EMEA, Alex Beckett, Associate Director, Food and Drink, Richard Hopping, Global Household Analyst.

This week on Little Conversation, host Samantha Dover sits down with retail experts covering Europe and North America to discuss the future of e-commerce. The industry has grown steadily in recent years but consumer interest and adoption skyrocketed during the pandemic. So, what's next for the oversaturated market? Our experts discuss the challenges for new entrants to the direct-to-consumer (DTC) landscape, the existing consumer behaviours that social commerce builds on to offer seamless shopping, and the blurring line between e-commerce and experiences. Privacy, technology, and local and conscious shopping - how important are they for brands competing in the space and how can marketers focus their strategy? Listen to find out! Host: Samantha Dover, Senior Beauty and Personal Care Analyst, Mintel Reports UK. Guests :Alexis DeSalva Kahler, Senior Research Analyst, Retail and eCommerce, Mintel Reports US; Alex Milinazzo, Trends Analyst, North America; Nick Carroll, Associate Director, European Retail Research.

In honour of International Women’s Day (8 March), host Alexis DeSalva Kahler leads a discussion about how the women's rights movement has influenced female purchase power, what female consumer buying behaviour looks like today, the role brands play in supporting, encouraging, and empowering female consumers through language and imagery, and the impact of social media. What brands top the list for impact and engagement? And how important are female founded businesses in all of this? Listen now for compelling insights and brand recommendations centred around the vitally important female consumer. Host: Alexis DeSalva Kahler, Senior Research Analyst, Retail and eCommerce, Mintel Reports US. Guests: Diana Kelter, Senior Trends Analyst, Americas; Lauren Goodsitt, Senior Global Beauty Analyst.

In the official first episode of season three, host Matthew Crabbe welcomes analysts from across Asia-Pacific to discuss what's trending in the run-up to Chinese New Year - from innovative products and services to new marketing campaigns. While the essence of New Year celebrations and traditions will endure, there will be changes - big and small, temporary and long-lasting - that impact consumer behaviour. Looking across the beauty, foodservice, fashion, retail, entertainment, travel, gifting, and social media categories, they spotlight the success or failure of special/limited edition products, influencer campaigns, and cross-category partnerships. What's different this year? How are brands adapting? And what role does mental wellness play? Join Matthew to find out. Host: Matthew Crabbe, Director of Mintel Trends, APAC. Guests: Laurie Du, Senior Analyst, Mintel Beauty & Personal Care; Victoria Li, Senior Analyst, Mintel Trends, APAC; Huiqi Ong, Consumer Lifestyles Analyst, Mintel Reports Asia.

With Super Bowl LV less than a week away, Mintel experts anticipate the cultural impact of the most-watched US TV broadcast event in the context of a divided nation, an economic crisis, and a global pandemic. They explore the challenges facing advertisers as they struggle to find the right tone and grab attention. With some big names and veteran Super Bowl brands dropping out of the ad lineup, what is the right move for smaller brands and those still participating? What lessons should brands and marketers take away from the event and what impact will it have on the industry going forward? Join the analysts as they discuss these topics and more, including second-screen viewing and Zoom tailgates. Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia. Guests: Colin O'Brien, Consumer Insights Analyst, Sports, Mintel Reports US, Sara Nettesheim, Consumer Insights Analyst, Social Media, Mintel Reports US, Nick Batt, Senior Research Analyst, Mintel Comperemedia.

Ahead of the start of season three, we have a special episode today with a discussion on the popularity of Veganuary - the annual challenge of following a vegan lifestyle for the month - and the future of plant-based foods. With January already a time when many consumers make new year's resolutions often for better health and wellness, Mintel global food and drink experts and Veganuary CEO, Ria Rehberg, chat about some of the reasons why the vegan trend is gaining momentum (and mainstreaming in some markets) around the world, as well as what food, drink, and foodservice brands need to consider when developing innovative strategies to support vegan and plant-based products and campaigns. Host: Edward Bergen, (Mintel Global Food and Drink Analyst). Guests: Dasha Shor (Mintel Global Food Analyst), Ria Rehberg (Veganuary CEO).

In our Season Two Holiday Bonus episode, the Little Conversation hosts discuss the year ahead and share their predictions for how consumer spending, demand, and optimism (or lack thereof) will impact markets worldwide. We saw some trends, like the rise in ecommerce, accelerate in 2020. Others experienced fundamental shifts, like the focus on local business. What is the trajectory of these changes and will they stick? The events of 2020 have resulted in a consumer divide: those who are eager to get back to pre-pandemic habits, to 'revenge spend', travel, and make up for time lost during lockdowns; and those who will keep their newly-adopted habits and spending practices, still cautious to re-enter in-person experiences and favouring quality over all else. Brands' strategic planning for 2021 must take this divide into account as everything from urban spaces, convenience shopping, and wellbeing to sustainability, transparency, and value come into question. Listen now to find out what's coming in 2021! Mintel's 2021 Global Consumer Trends and 2021 Global Food and Drink Trends are referenced in this episode. Mintel clients can learn more by logging in to clients.mintel.com now or speaking with their Account Manager. For everyone else, check out mintel.com in January for summary insights. Host: Dana Macke (Associate Director, Mintel Reports US, Lifestyles and Leisure). Guests: Andrew Davidson (SVP/Chief Insights Officer), Matthew Crabbe (Director of Mintel Trends, APAC), Samantha Dover (Senior Beauty and Personal Care Analyst, Mintel Reports UK), Edward Bergen (Global Food and Drink Analyst), Andrew McDougall (Associate Director, Global Beauty and Personal Care).

In the season two finale, Mintel retail experts look ahead to the winter holidays. We know there is a willingness from consumers to have a good holiday season, given the events of the last year, but what barriers could stand in their way? How important are cleanliness, safety, and convenience? With discounting now expected, how else can retailers show value? Experiences were a popular gift in 2019; how will that evolve this year given social distancing restrictions? The consumer experts share their opinions and make recommendations for how retailers should engage with consumers during the festive time of year. Host: Samantha Dover (Senior Beauty and Personal Care Analyst, Mintel Reports UK). Guests: Nick Carroll (Associate Director, Retail, Mintel Reports UK), Alexis DeSalva (Senior Research Analyst, Retail and eCommerce, Mintel Reports US).

Most consumers have them; many have grown during the global pandemic. From indulgent food and drink to enticing gaming and gambling, vices have been a part of human history from the very start. In this episode, Mintel analysts discuss what makes a vice so 'bad', its impact on cultures and mental health, its role in entertainment and emotional release, as well as what brands must do to help consumers balance between extremes. While vices make for good (bad) headlines, they also provide catharsis, security and community. Listen now to find out what that means for consumer and companies today. Host: Edward Bergen (Global Food and Drink Analyst). Guests: John Poelking (Senior Gaming Analyst, Mintel Reports US), Marcia Mogelonsky (Director of Insight, Mintel Food and Drink), Jonny Forsyth (Associate Director, Mintel Food and Drink).

Given the advancements in modern medicine and a keen focus on health and wellness, global populations are expected to grow significantly older over the next half-century, giving new meaning and new life to the concept of healthy ageing. Meanwhile, the working population is expected to shrink, which could have a negative effect on how seniors are cared for in their later years. Mintel's expert analysts discuss the wider societal changes that will need to be addressed in order to properly care for an ageing population, including the role that brands play. Listen now as they ponder: What does healthy ageing look like for middle-aged consumers vs. those that are well into their ageing lifecycle? How will increased automation technology create new brand opportunities? Host: Matthew Crabbe (Director of Mintel Trends, APAC). Guests : Richard Cope (Senior Trends Consultant, EMEA), Stephanie Mattucci (Associate Director, Food Science, Americas), Pongpera Mitradarmbidhaks (Senior Research Analyst, Beauty and Personal Care, Thailand).

In this episode, Mintel beauty experts discuss how COVID-19 accelerated the trends they predicted for 2030 such as 'The Panorama of Humanity,' the push and pull between science and nature, and 'Identity Traders,' toggling between connection and disconnection as consumers seek out their tribe with brands serving as the facilitator. They also discuss the importance of trust and transparency and how brands need to reconnect with consumers to rebuild brand loyalty. Host: Andrew McDougall (Associate Director, Global Beauty and Personal Care). Guests : Sarah Jindal (Associate Director, Global Beauty and Personal Care), Sharon Kwek (Associate Director, Beauty and Personal Care), Vivienne Rudd (Director of Innovation and Insight).

In this episode, Mintel analysts discuss what the outlook for movie theatres and streaming platforms will be post-pandemic. With local lockdowns forcing movie theatres to close, brands had to make temporary adjustments like drive-in movie theatres and releasing movies straight to streaming services to help consumers get their movie fix. Do consumers want to go back to movie theatres? What are movie theatres currently doing to make consumers feel safe? Listen to find out! Host: Dana Macke (Associate Director, Mintel Reports US, Lifestyles and Leisure). Guests : Rebecca McGrath (Senior Media Analyst, Mintel Reports UK), John Poelking (Senior Gaming Analyst, Mintel Reports US).

With the travel industry severely impacted by COVID-19, Mintel analysts in the US and Canada discuss the current state of the travel industry and what’s to come for travel loyalty programs. They also provided insight into how loyalty programs have pivoted and what type of innovation is needed to help build the industry back up and convince consumers these types of programs are still relevant even if they aren’t travelling as often. Host: Andrew Davidson (SVP/Chief Insights Officer). Guests: Nicole Bensi (Director of Competitive Intelligence, Comperemedia), Carol Wong-Li (Associate Director, Mintel Reports Canada, Lifestyles and Leisure), Mike Gallinari (Travel and Leisure Analyst, Mintel Reports US).

In this episode, Mintel beauty experts from around the globe discuss the impact that COVID-19 is having on the fragrance industry. They discuss what is currently happening in the industry and how consumers are rethinking the way they use fragrance products. They also give recommendations for how brands should appeal to consumers in the current environment and share innovations in the fragrance industry they have seen recently. Host: Samantha Dover (Senior Beauty and Personal Care Analyst, Mintel Reports UK). Guests: Margaux Caron (Global Beauty Analyst), Lauren Goodsitt (Senior Global Beauty Analyst), Amanda Caridad (Senior Beauty and Personal Care Analyst, Mintel Reports Brazil).

Mintel experts in food and drink discuss how COVID-19 has impacted innovation in the food and drink industry and what brands should be doing to progress in the next six months and beyond. Online shopping, eating at home more, interest in health benefits and sustainability are all behaviours that have changed due to COVID-19 and the experts predict whether this is short or long-term and what brands can do to enhance these behaviours. Mintel experts also compare consumer behaviour in the current recession compared to what it was in 2008. Host: Edward Bergen (Global Food and Drink Analyst). Guests: Lynn Dornblaser (Director of Innovation and Insight), Alex Beckett (Associate Director, Food and Drink), David Jago (Director of Innovation and Insight)

With the news of Clarisonic, a beauty device brand owned by L’Oreal, closing after a decade, Mintel experts in the beauty industry from across the globe discuss where it all went wrong and why beauty devices have not taken off as expected. They discuss how beauty devices have evolved and what it will take for these products to take hold and fulfil consumer’s wants and needs. Listen now to hear what the experts have to say about the future of beauty devices and products. Host: Andrew McDougall (Associate Director, Global Beauty and Personal Care). Guests: Reiko Hasegawa (Senior Beauty & Personal Care Analyst, Japan), Samantha Dover (Senior Beauty and Personal Care Analyst, Mintel Reports UK).

The global pandemic has created a sea change in the way consumers live their lives and brands are shuffling their messaging to connect with them. Mintel experts from across the globe discuss how COVID-19 has accelerated and shifted global consumer trends, such as more experiences, seamless spending, humanizing technology interactions, and going live on social media. They also provide recommendations on how brands should move forward in this new era. Host: Dana Macke (Associate Director, Mintel Reports US, Lifestyles and Leisure). Guests: Diana Kelter (Senior Trends Analyst, Americas), Vanessa Rondine (Senior Trends Analyst LAR), Helen Fricker (Trends Manager, EMEA), Elysha Young (Trends Manager, APAC).

Mintel expert analysts in beauty and personal care sit down to discuss the top beauty ingredients in the North Asia Pacific that are grabbing consumer attention. From ingredients that are safe and hygienic to COVID-19’s impact on ingredient preferences, and needing scientific information on how products are beneficial, consumers in APAC are focused on making sure they are using the best ingredients possible. The analysts also predict the best ingredients to look for in Asia as well as trends moving forward. Host: Matthew Crabbe (Director of Mintel Trends, APAC). Guests: Laurie Du (Senior Beauty & Personal Care Analyst, China), Hwa Jun Lee (Senior Beauty & Personal Care Analyst, South Korea), Reiko Hasegawa (Senior Beauty & Personal Care Analyst, Japan).

The emerging trend across the globe in the credit industry, 'buy now, pay later,' is gripping consumer attention, especially Millennials. The idea itself isn’t anything new, but new brands have entered the space and different styles are being used, such as no interest or late fees that are attracting consumers. In this episode, Mintel experts in the financial services industry discuss this trend and how it’s going to impact banks and credit card companies but also consumer’s personal finances. Host: Andrew Davidson (SVP/Chief Insights Officer). Guests: Mark Miller (Associate Director of Insights, Financial Services, Comperemedia), Thomas Slide (Senior Financial Services Analyst, Mintel Reports UK).

In this episode, Mintel experts dive into the evolution of livestreaming. They discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has escalated livestreaming and how consumers are using it in different parts of the world. How can brands make the most of the opportunities a live platform brings? How will livestreaming impact social media influencers? What will livestreaming look like in the future? Mintel experts discuss how it got here and where its going. Host: Samantha Dover (Senior Beauty and Personal Care Analyst, Mintel Reports UK). Guests : Nick Carroll (Associate Director, Retail, Mintel Reports UK), Rebecca McGrath (Senior Media Analyst, UK).

Mintel experts take on the age-old debate of science vs. nature in the beauty and food and drink industries, as they discuss why consumers no longer blindly trust "natural" claims and are showing curiosity in scientific and synthetic solutions. They also share their favourite products or brands in the scientific/lab-grown space, such as barley facial cream developed to help with anti-ageing, growing kale in indoor farms, and upcycled bread to make craft beer. Host: Dec Cooney (Consulting Team Manager). Guests: Edward Bergen (Global Food and Drink Analyst), Alex Fisher (Associate Director, Beauty and Personal Care), Richard Cope (Senior Trends Consultant).

As consumers look for ways to spend their time stuck at home during the pandemic, beauty routines have been a focus for some. From advancing their skincare routine to giving themselves a haircut due to closed salons, consumers have taken their beauty and personal care into their own hands. In this episode, our beauty experts in the UK discuss how consumer behaviours and purchases have changed due to the pandemic and what brands can do moving forward past the lockdown stage. Host: Andrew McDougall (Associate Director, Global Beauty and Personal Care) Guests: Lucy Cornford (BPC Content Manager, EMEA), Alex Fisher (Associate Director, Beauty & Personal Care), Margaux Caron (Global Beauty Analyst)