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DASHBOARD RESEARCH KEYNOTES EVENTS
FuturistU > Tactics > The 18 Megatrends > Module 1 / 7

Intro to Megatrends

Instructor: Armida Ascano
Megatrends
Download the Megatrends Trend Report
Every major or minor shift in a given industry can be traced back to evolving consumer desires. To understand where your opportunities lie, you need an understanding of what your customer truly wants and why. The 18 Megatrends matrix unpacks consumer desire using Trend Hunter's Patterns of Opportunity as a base.

Our Chief Insights Officer, Armida Ascano, will guide you through the methodology of the 18 Megatrends, what each of them means, and how to effectively use them. If you're looking to implement more consumer-centricity into your product or service, this course is perfect for you.
Related Trend Report: Megatrends
Access Advisory Services

Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Visual Aid
Brands are designing packaging to be accessible for consumers with visual impairments
Trend - Brands are creating packaging designs with smart solutions for consumers with visual impairments. These solutions include scannable codes or symbols that interact with smart applications to provide either easier-to-read or audio-based information, more effectively supporting shoppers.
Workshop Question - How can we leverage technological solutions to make our products more accessible for a wider range of consumers?
8.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Accessibility-Focused Packaging Designs
Accessibility-Focused Packaging Designs
Müller Debuts Accessible Packaging Designs
Müller has announced a significant update to its product offerings as the brand debuts its new accessible packaging designs. The venture seeks to make shopping more accessible for visually impaired... MORE
Inclusive Shopping Labels
Inclusive Shopping Labels
Coca-Cola Debuts NaviLens QR Codes for Visually Impaired Consumers
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP)’s Great Britain Christmas can multipacks will now include NaviLens codes on its cardboard packaging designed to aid partially sighted or visually impaired... MORE
Scannable Infant Products
Scannable Infant Products
SMA Nutrition Introduced NaviLens Codes into its Product Packaging
SMA Nutrition, a division of Nestlé, has incorporated NaviLens technology into its infant nutrition product packaging. This development is intended to improve the shopping experience for parents... MORE
Visual Impairment-Friendly Packaging
Visual Impairment-Friendly Packaging
Haleon and Microsoft Have Partnered for Inclusive Packaging
Haleon and Microsoft have partnered on a new packaging initiative to help those with low vision or who are blind to read labeling on a range of products. The partnership coincides with World Sight... MORE
AI-Assisted Cooking Partnerships
AI-Assisted Cooking Partnerships
Unilever and Be My Eyes Partnered to Support Shoppers
Unilever and Be My Eyes have announced a new partnership that will support blind and low-vision shoppers using the latest technology for an easier shopping experience. The partnership builds on... MORE
GLP-1 Response
Food brands are adjusting portion sizes as weight management drugs gain popularity
Trend - As GLP-1 weight management drugs gain popularity, food companies are responding by adjusting the ingredients and portions in their products. Particularly in the CPG market, retailers are offering smaller products richer in proteins and fibers, as there are more in-line with consumer needs.
Workshop Question - How could your company adjust its products or services in response to the growing popularity of GLP-1-related drugs?
8.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Portion-Adjusted CPG Snacks
Portion-Adjusted CPG Snacks
Conagra is Altering its Products in Response to GLP-1 Popularity
Conagra Brands Inc. is considering adjustments to its product offerings in response to the growing use of GLP-1 drugs, which are known to suppress appetite. These medications, including Ozempic and... MORE
Weight Management Food Ranges
Weight Management Food Ranges
The Nestlé Vital Pursuit Range is for Those on GLP-1
The Nestlé Vital Pursuit range is a new food lineup targeted towards weight management and consumers who are using GLP-1 weight loss medications. The product range includes foods that are high in... MORE
GLP-1-Tailored Store Sections
GLP-1-Tailored Store Sections
GNC is Adding a New Section to 2,300 of its U.S Store Locations
GNC has announced the introduction of a new section in its 2,300 US stores specifically designed to support consumers managing GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy. This initiative aims to... MORE
Food Brand Revitalization Initiatives
Food Brand Revitalization Initiatives
Atkins is Reanalyzing its Business for GLP-1 Users
Simply Good Foods has announced a strategic initiative to target users of GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, as part of its new five-point revitalization plan for its Atkins brand. This plan... MORE
Finance Bot
Generative AI is being used to simplify financial planning and literacy
Trend - Artificial intelligence is being used improve financial literacy and planning tools--compiling relevant information communicated in a way that's accessible to users. These AI assistants create a more customized and accessible experience than automated customer service tech allows.
Workshop Question - How could AI help your brand better communicate with its customers or users?
5.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI Customer Service Chatbots
AI Customer Service Chatbots
LAQO Introduced a First-of-Its-Kind Digital Assistant for Fintech
As artificial intelligence becomes more capable, it’s becoming better at handling complex requests, so much so that many major companies are introducing customer service chatbots. Croatian... MORE
Scientific AI Assistants
Scientific AI Assistants
Yseop Copilot is a Generative AI-Based Assistant Service for Scientists
‘Yseop Copilot’ is a content automation solution that leverages generative AI and pre-trained language models to help scientific writers in regulated industries such as... MORE
AI-Backed Crypto Chatbots
AI-Backed Crypto Chatbots
Crypto.com Announces a New Generative AI Companion Called Amy
Crypto.com, a crypto exchange platform, has announced the arrival of a new AI companion called ‘Amy.’ Amy primarily focuses on industry insights, including real-time token prices,... MORE
Finance-Focused Virtual Assistants
Finance-Focused Virtual Assistants
Wells Fargo's New Virtual Assistant Carries Out Banking Tasks
Multinational financial services giant Wells Fargo is launching a brand new virtual assistant that is designed to use the wonders of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to... MORE
P2P Return
E-commerce marketplaces are facilitating direct peer-to-peer returns for efficiency
Trend - E-commerce networks are implementing peer-to-peer (P2P) returns networks that directly connect returned products to consumers purchasing used or previously-owned products. These systems save on items being shipped twice, saving both money and environmental impact for the parties involved.
Workshop Question - How could your brand leverage peer-to-peer systems to improve aspects of its business?
5.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Peer-to-Peer Returns Networks
Peer-to-Peer Returns Networks
'greenlist' Enables Eco-Friendly, Cost-Effective P2P Returns
‘greenlist’ is a marketplace solution and mobile application that facilitates peer-to-peer returns networks. The founder and CEO of greenlist, Jess Owens, quit her previous consulting... MORE
P2P Marketplace Apps
P2P Marketplace Apps
'Storr' Lets Anyone Open a Free Store from Their Phone in Three Clicks
‘Storr’ is a disruptive new P2P marketplace concept that is setting itself apart for its unique ability to let “anyone to open a store from their phone in three clicks.” With... MORE
Sustainable Clothing Return Networks
Sustainable Clothing Return Networks
Good For Sunday Debuts a New Green Initiative, Ecoturns
Good For Sunday aims to tackle the highly pollutive return industry—currently responsible for contributing a million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere with a new sustainable initiative dubbed... MORE
Peer-to-Peer Returns Services
Peer-to-Peer Returns Services
Frate Initiates Cost and Eco-Conscious Peer-to-Peer Returns
Founded in Toronto, Canada, Frate is a peer-to-peer returns startup that aims to “reinvent returns for the betterment of the planet.” In recent years, a growing demand for e-commerce products... MORE
Trackable Package Return Programs
Trackable Package Return Programs
Uber Launches a New Package Return Service with Live Tracking
Food delivery and ride service company Uber is venturing into the realm of reverse logistics through the launch of its new package delivery service. The company has introduced an innovative “... MORE
Informed Restaurant
Restaurants are using AI forecasting tools to determine future menu items
Trend - Restaurants are using artificial intelligence (AI) analytics and forecasting tools to determine demand for each menu item. These tools use restaurant-specific and market-wide data to determine future-facing consumer interests, helping determine menu item creation and sales numbers.
Workshop Question - How could your company leverage its data with AI to improve its existing and upcoming services?
7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI-Generated Food Concepts
AI-Generated Food Concepts
PepsiCo's 'Off the Eaten Path' Fulfills Unrealized Consumer Needs
In an effort to develop new products that, unbeknownst to consumers, they desire, PepsiCo leveraged AI and data analytics “to uncover what people are eating and why.” Through the use of... MORE
AI-Powered Foodservice Tools
AI-Powered Foodservice Tools
Datassential’s Menucast Predicts the Future of Food & Flavor
Datassential’s Menucast is an AI-powered tool that uses food and beverage industry data to help bring products to life faster. The artificial intelligence tool helps with sparking inspiration,... MORE
Food-Focused GenAI Tools
Food-Focused GenAI Tools
FoodGPT is a Generative AI Tool for Food and Beverage Development
Ai Palette empowers CPG companies with artificial intelligence and machine learning and FoodGPT is an innovation that’s poised to support the future of food and beverage development. This... MORE
Restaurant Demand Forecasting Tools
Restaurant Demand Forecasting Tools
'Lineup.ai' Uses Market Data to Predict Restaurant Demand
‘Lineup AI’ is a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered demand forecasting tool designed for the restaurant industry. This tool works by analyzing both restaurant-specific and market-... MORE
Table Payment
Companies are releasing POS devices with convenient technological enhancements
Trend - Companies are upgrading Point of Sale (POS) systems with contemporary technology for use in restaurants or food service establishments. These upgrades include self-ordering capabilities, small-scale designs, and anti-overspending tools.
Workshop Question - How can your brand enhance its customer service through personalized offerings?
4.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Self-Ordering Table Systems
Self-Ordering Table Systems
GoTab Launches the Self-Ordering Kiosks for Table Service Businesses
GoTab is introducing Self-Ordering Kiosks, which facilitate high-speed mobile POS payments for businesses offering table service. The system comes with a variety of straightforward features,... MORE
Anti-Overspending POS Systems
Anti-Overspending POS Systems
The 'Impress' Wealth Management POS Concept is Advanced
The ‘Impress’ wealth management POS concept has been designed by Woojin C as a customer-focused solution that would help them to keep an eye on their spending. The system features an... MORE
Affordable Payment Acceptance Devices
Affordable Payment Acceptance Devices
Pine Labs Launches the 'Mini' QR Device with Card Acceptance
Pine Labs has made waves with the introduction of ‘Mini,’ an innovative QR and Card acceptance device. The new device is expected to redefine payment acceptance for small merchants. One... MORE
Compact Payment Devices
Compact Payment Devices
Dojo Releases a Pocket-Sized Card Machine for Convenient Table Payments
Dojo Pocket is a groundbreaking card machine designed with the utmost convenience in mind. Compact and streamlined to the dimensions of a modern smartphone, this device seamlessly fits into the... MORE
Custom Chatbot
Brands are launching services that enable fast creation of personalized chatbots
Trend - Businesses offer tools enabling clients to build fully-functional chatbots quickly. These bots are trained on custom datasets, making them suitable for internal, consumer-facing, or consulting purposes. Businesses across numerous industries can benefit from personalized low-cost chatbots.
Workshop Question - How can your brand leverage personalized chatbot technology to enhance customer service or streamline workflow?
5.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Custom AI Chatbots
Custom AI Chatbots
Poe’s AI Chatbot App Lets You Make Your Own Chatbots Using Prompts
Users may now create their own chatbots utilizing prompts and an existing bot, such as ChatGPT, as the foundation thanks to a software called Poe. After being set up, the bot will have a special URL... MORE
Free AI Chatbot Creators
Free AI Chatbot Creators
'BotPenguin' Offers Free Custom Chatbots for Websites or Messengers
BotPenguin’s Chatbot Maker is a free and AI-powered platform that allows users to create and deploy chatbots for various purposes, such as lead generation, appointment booking, customer support,... MORE
Personalized Chatbot Builder Tools
Personalized Chatbot Builder Tools
IBM's 'Watson Assistant' can be Used to Create a Useful Chatbot
IBM added a new service to its artificial intelligence chatbot ‘Watson Assitant.’ The new service enables the Watson Assitant to work with customers, or brands, to create a personalized,... MORE
Chatbot-Building AI Tools
Chatbot-Building AI Tools
Landbot is a No-Code AI Chatbot Builder for Websites and Businesses
Landbot is a powerful no-code platform that creates artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for businesses to incorporate into their operations. Landbot offers a suite of conversational experiences... MORE
Customized AI-Generating Tools
Customized AI-Generating Tools
Amazon is Launching the Bedrock Cloud Service Tool for AI
Amazon is launching Bedrock, which joins the generative AI pool as it is a new API for Amazon Web Services. It allows developers to use and customize AI tools that ultimately are able to generate... MORE
AI Support
Businesses are incorporating AI chatbots for instant customer service at scale
Trend - Businesses are moving customer service units toward artificial intelligence. AI chatbots for customer service have complete knowledge of any trained dataset, and can deliver instant answers to any related question to any number of customers at a time. This scalability saves money for the business and time for the consumer.
Workshop Question - How can your brand utilize trained AI chatbots to improve the online shopping experience, or post-sale support experience, for customers?
6.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Furniture Retailer AI Chatbots
Furniture Retailer AI Chatbots
IKEA Launches the BILLIE Chatbot To Tackle Customer Inquiries
IKEA introduces its new AI chatbot named BILLIE, which is named after its notable BILLY bookcase. The chatbot is developed to help with customer queries in this progressive world. The brand programs... MORE
Personalized Chatbot Builder Tools
Personalized Chatbot Builder Tools
IBM's 'Watson Assistant' can be Used to Create a Useful Chatbot
IBM added a new service to its artificial intelligence chatbot ‘Watson Assitant.’ The new service enables the Watson Assitant to work with customers, or brands, to create a personalized,... MORE
AI Customer Service Chatbots
AI Customer Service Chatbots
LAQO Introduced a First-of-Its-Kind Digital Assistant for Fintech
As artificial intelligence becomes more capable, it’s becoming better at handling complex requests, so much so that many major companies are introducing customer service chatbots. Croatian... MORE
Intuitive E-Commerce Chatbots
Intuitive E-Commerce Chatbots
E-Commerce Conversational AI Startup Zowie Offers Smart Assistance
Zowie is a conversational AI startup that creates “specialized chatbots combining customer support and sales functions for consumer brands looking to improve customer relationships and up... MORE
Communicative Delivery
Customer service is made easier with communicative delivery platforms
Trend - B2B delivery platforms are prioritizing communication to enhance the delivery process for businesses and their customers. This approach ensures frequent updates and quick responses using both automation and reps--balancing efficiency with a more "human" approach to customer service.
Workshop Question - In what areas could your brand improve its customer service experience to build trust and brand loyalty?
5.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Real-Time-Adjustable Logistics Companies
Real-Time-Adjustable Logistics Companies
Vexsys Offers On-Toes Support for Delivery and Logistics
Vexsys is a leading provider of customer communications and order-tracking solutions. It offers businesses a powerful tool to manage their customer interactions, order fulfillment, and delivery... MORE
AI-Enabled Delivery Chatbots
AI-Enabled Delivery Chatbots
Uber Eats Launches an AI Chatbot to Help Improve User Experiences
Uber Eats is expected to launch a new artificial intelligence chatbot on its food delivery platform. The new chatbot is designed to bolster user engagement by offering tailored recommendations,... MORE
Cloud-Based Delivery Platforms
Cloud-Based Delivery Platforms
DispatchTrack Uses AI-Optimized Routes and Quick Communications
DispatchTrack is a cloud-based delivery management platform that provides cutting-edge last-mile delivery and after-sales support services for businesses. With its innovative and user-friendly... MORE
Intuitive E-Commerce Chatbots
Intuitive E-Commerce Chatbots
E-Commerce Conversational AI Startup Zowie Offers Smart Assistance
Zowie is a conversational AI startup that creates “specialized chatbots combining customer support and sales functions for consumer brands looking to improve customer relationships and up... MORE
Communicative Delivery Companies
Communicative Delivery Companies
MyTrooperS Provides Delivery Solutions for Users and Businesses
‘MyTrooperS’ is a French logistics service that provides last-mile delivery to businesses and single-charge deliveries for individuals. Its delivery drivers are always connected,... MORE
Dine-In Tech
Technology to improve the dining experience through guest insights is on the rise
Trend - The restaurant and QSR industries are bouncing back from the Pandemic by better gathering insights on what consumers care about. Technologies dedicated to listening to and implementing suggestions for improving the dining experience are increasing in popularity. This can be done by gathering data on ordering platforms, surveys, and more.
Workshop Question - How could you better bridge the gap between your various guests' often opposing needs?
4.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Contactless Dine-In Features
Contactless Dine-In Features
Panera Bread Has Announced A New Digital Dining Feature
In its newest step toward becoming a fully “digitally-enabled cafe,” Panera Bread has announced an upcoming contactless dine-in feature for select consumers. This feature will combine... MORE
Insights-Focused Dining Menu Apps
Insights-Focused Dining Menu Apps
The 'Menura' Restaurant Menu App Keeps Customers Happy
The ‘Menura’ restaurant menu app is a feature-rich solution for administrators that will enable them to provide an impressive experience for diners, while also enjoying immersive... MORE
Restaurant Ordering-and-Payment Platforms
Restaurant Ordering-and-Payment Platforms
OrderUp Lets Users Scan, Order, and Pay via a Smartphone
OrderUp, the technology startup, helps provide restaurants with a cost-effective dine-in digital ordering system. It requires no app downloads, no hardware, and most importantly, no fees for... MORE
Dine-In Loyalty Apps
Dine-In Loyalty Apps
'Lynq' Provides Benefits to Consumers who Dine in Partnered Restaurants
The ‘Lynq app’ is a rewards program focused on the hospitality industry at large. Rather than being bound to one restaurant or company, Lynq partners with restaurants and credit card... MORE
Premium Seating Platforms
Premium Seating Platforms
'Tablz' Works with Restaurants to Sell Premium Seating During Peak Hours
‘Tablz’ is a Toronto, Canada-based startup with a platform that offers restaurants a new, heightened revenue stream. The Tablz platform uses artificial intelligence and algorithms to... MORE