FuturistU > Business > New Business Models > Module 4 / 4

New Business Models and Instant Entrepreneurship

Instructor: Mary Van Puymbroeck
Customer Experience
Download the Customer Experience Trend Report
With the internet fueling the direct-to-consumer market, it's easier than ever to launch a business. Across the internet, we can see DTC making a significant impact on the global economy. Our final module in New Business Models takes on the three key considerations and impacts of direct sales; Cost & Quality, Community Focus and Social Impact.

This chapter zeros in on our Megatrend Instant Entrepreneurship to better understand the way that niche businesses are fostering brand love by directly responding to consumer need. We will explore the implications of the re-formatting of direct sales for your business.
Related Trend Report: Customer Experience
Workshop Questions:
1. How could you have lower overhead and deeper consumer connection?
2. What are the social, ethical, or environmental advantages your brand could have over competitors?
View Innovation Webinars

Featured Insights

Direct-to-Engaged
DTC engagement ring retailers rise in popularity
Trend - For a long time, one needed to visit a store in-person and consult with an expert to buy an engagement ring. Today, a number of direct-to-consumer jewelers specializing in engagement rings are disrupting this process. These e-retailers appeal to Millennials in particular looking to prioritize value, convenience and in some cases, customization over an expert consultation.
Workshop Question - How much value do in-person interactions to your customer experience? How could this be replicated in a digital experience?
3.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
DTC Plant
Direct-to-consumer plant shops speak to Millennial purchasing preferences
Trend - In an effort to help consumers find a natural escape from the stressors of urban life, consumers are turning to direct-to-consumer solutions, even when it comes to plants. This move fulfills the desire many younger consumers have to shop more seamlessly despite how fragile or cumbersome the product or service may be.
Workshop Question - What Millennial need might a direct-to-consumer offering from your industry fulfill?
5.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Authenticity On-Demand
Connection is secured through micro-moment companionship services
Implications - In today's fast-paced and often lonely world, on-demand companionship products that extend beyond a simple transactional relationship work to fill in the gaps of our social experience (for example, helping seniors with their shopping rather than simply driving them to and from the store). While commoditized connection might not necessarily be a new idea, it's the extension of these services to fill everyday micro-moments that delivers the deeper, more authentic link to the world around them that humans so urgently crave.
Workshop Question - How has your brand responded to the increased expectations of authenticity that many consumers have for the brands they interact with?
4.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends

Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Smart Gardening
Brands Launch Smart Systems That Automate and Monitor Home Gardens
Trend - Gardening brands are releasing AI‑powered tools such as smart irrigation systems, soil and light sensors, plant‑health apps, and automated indoor or outdoor garden units that monitor conditions and adjust care. These systems use data, machine learning and custom controls to simplify gardening.
Workshop Question - How can we leverage automation and data-driven technology to simplify and enhance the user experience in our industry?
5.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Hyperlocal Evolution
Brands strengthen community connections through enhanced physical experiences
Trend - As consumers flock to physical retail spaces, both established and emerging brands are reimagining their local presence through enhanced experiential offerings. This shift extends beyond traditional retail to include direct-to-consumer brands creating innovative physical touchpoints.
Workshop Question - How could your brand create meaningful local connections with or without a permanent retail space?
7.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
DIY Retailer
Specialized retailers are offering assemble-it-yourself products to reduce costs
Trend - Retailers across various industries, such as home and garden, crafts, and even electronics are launching with an emphases on DIY projects. By focusing on DIY, these retailers mainly provide base components rather than prebuilt items, often leading to significantly lower prices than competitors.
Workshop Question - How can we leverage the growing interest in DIY solutions to create more engaging and cost-effective products for our customers?
5.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
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?
6.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Gamified Storefront
Brands are gamifying brick and mortar stores for the retailtainment trend
Trend - Brick-and-mortar storefronts are adding elements of gamification and entertainment to improve the in-store shopping experience. These 'retailtainment' initiatives add immersive experiences and interactive elements to increase consumer engagement and pull the focus away from simply spending money.
Workshop Question - How can we integrate gamification and entertainment into our physical spaces to create a more engaging and immersive experience for our customers?
6.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Accessible Grocery
Grocery delivery platforms now accept electronic benefit transfers
Trend - Electronic Bank Transfer (EBT) is becoming a standard payment method as consumers seek convenient and secure ways to pay for grocery deliveries. This payment method aims to help individuals relying on government assistance programs access essential food items with ease and dignity.
Workshop Question - How does your brand demonstrate attentiveness to the financial well-being of its customer base?
2.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Bed Rotting
Gen Z and younger Millennial consumers engage in "bed rotting" as a form of self-care
Trend - "Bed rotting," a new trend sweeping TikTok, involves staying in bed for extended periods to engage in passive activities like eating snacks, watching TV, and scrolling through devices. This trend is particularly popular among Generation Z, who are increasingly turning to this form of self-care to combat burnout.
Workshop Question - How can our brand create value by addressing the Gen Z desire for unconventional self-care and mental well-being practices?
6.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Decentralized Affiliate
New ecommerce apps enable everyday consumers to earn commissions
Trend - Tech companies are revolutionizing affiliate marketing by launching new shopping apps that break down traditional barriers. Platforms like Locker are leading the charge by ditching the follower-count and aesthetic requirements that often exclude potential affiliates. This inclusive approach opens the affiliate ecosystem to a wider range of consumers, empowering everyone to become a brand advocate and earn from their genuine endorsements.
Workshop Question - How can your brand empower everyday consumers to share genuine product recommendations?
5.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends