FuturistU > Innovation & Change > The 18 Megatrends of the New Normal > Module 3 / 4

The 18 Megatrends & Chaos

Instructor: Armida Ascano
Remote Lifestyle
Download the Remote Lifestyle Trend Report
Following the Crisis Megatrends, are the Megatrends in Chaos. Chaos phase is defined as the period where consumers try to consolidate how they normally behave with how they have to behave in the parameters of this "new normal." If you're curious about trends in the new normal, you will particularly enjoy this module.
Related Trend Report: Remote Lifestyle
Workshop Questions:
1. How can you help your customer reduce their carbon footprint?
2. How is your brand providing customers opportunities for growth?
3. How will you prepare for the upcoming boom of small businesses?
4. What is one small choice you can simply make for you customer?
5. What parts of your brand are perceived as disingenuous and why?
6. What's one outside industry you'd like to tap for inspiration?
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Featured Insights

Remote Guidance
The rise of "digital nomads" has led to products and services in this space
Trend - With the COVID-19 pandemic making remote work increasingly common, more consumers have found themselves with greater independence with where they can travel and live. Brands are seeing opportunities within this "digital nomad" industry and are offering products and services that enhance this lifestyle.
Workshop Question - How is your brand offering flexibility to its employees or customers?
5.5
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Megatrends
Digital Nomad Camping Trailers
Digital Nomad Camping Trailers
The 'NoMad' Camping Trailer Accommodates Modern Lifestyles
The conceptual ‘NoMad’ camping trailer has been designed by Studio ABIBOO as a travel accommodation solution for digital nomads and explorers alike that will help them to stay... MORE
Remote Office Travel Trailers
Remote Office Travel Trailers
Airstream's Flying Cloud 30FB Office is a Modern Mobile Home
The Flying Cloud 30FB Office by Airstream is optimized for working on the go and it’s spacious enough to sleep up to six people. The modern mobile office and home on wheels is outfitted with... MORE
Digital Nomad Guidance Platforms
Digital Nomad Guidance Platforms
The 'nomadify' Platform Offers a Framework for Digital Nomadism
The ‘nomadify’ platform is a guidance solution for professionals who are looking to shake off the shackles of office life in favor of a lifestyle that’s focused on working from the... MORE
Millennial-Friendly Remote Work Concepts
Millennial-Friendly Remote Work Concepts
SOJRN Was Made for Remote-Working Young Professionals
FTLO Travel, the Millennial group travel company, recently launched a new program for young professionals working remotely – SOJRN. The new concept is described as “the perfect post-pandemic... MORE

Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Accessible Itinerary
Accessible Travel Planners Assist Clients with Unique Considerations
Trend - Travel planners and agencies are launching accessibility‑focused travel plans that include mobility‑friendly itineraries, sensory‑considerate activities, vetted hotels, adaptive transportation, caregiver support options, and accessibility checks for clients with physical or mental considerations.
Workshop Question - How can we enhance our services to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for all customers?
5.9
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Popularity
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Megatrends
Accessible Travel Planners
Accessible Travel Planners
Your Accessible Flight Provides Wheelchair-Friendly Planning For Travel
Your Accessible Flight is a mobile application designed to support travelers with mobility challenges, including wheelchair users, in planning and executing air travel. The app provides tools for... MORE
Accessible Travel-Focused Airlines
Accessible Travel-Focused Airlines
The Global Brand Frontier Awards Recognized SATENA
SATENA, Colombia's national airline, has been recognized by the Global Brand Frontier Awards for its pioneering efforts in making air travel more accessible across Colombia's challenging geographic... MORE
Inclusive Tourism-Focused Campaigns
Inclusive Tourism-Focused Campaigns
Orange County Has Collaborated with Wheel the World
Orange County enters into a collaboration with the leading accessible travel platform Wheel the World. The goal of this partnership is to enhance tourism opportunities for individuals with... MORE
Autism-Friendly Travel Planning Guides
Autism-Friendly Travel Planning Guides
Magic Bean Travel Co. Shares Tips for Accessible Travel
Magic Bean Travel Co., a Rockford-based agency founded by a Certified Autism Travel Professional who is also a mother of two children on the spectrum, has released a free library of 27 detailed... MORE
Post-Grind Recovery
Consumers are pivoting away from hustle culture and toward rest and relaxation
Trend - The relentless "grindset" mentality that dominated the 2010s is facing a cultural backlash, with consumers increasingly seeking rest, boundaries, and sustainable work practices over 24/7 productivity optimization. Companies are launching campaigns that celebrate downtime, mental health days, and the radical act of logging off.
Workshop Question - How might your brand reframe success beyond productivity metrics to connect with consumers seeking sustainable fulfillment?
6
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Activity
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Megatrends
Mood-Enhancing Smart Projectors
Mood-Enhancing Smart Projectors
The ETOE Starfish Projector Has Mood Lighting and More
The ETOE Starfish smart projector is a multimedia solution engineered with entertainment in mind, but also ambient enhancement to help users transform their space into a tranquil oasis. The... MORE
In-Room Wellness Experiences
In-Room Wellness Experiences
Hilton and Calm Partnered to Enhance Mindfulness and Sleep
Whether jet-lagged, prepping for a meeting, or unwinding on a family vacation, travelers often need a mental reset to feel refreshed, and Hilton and Calm now provide guests with mindfulness and... MORE
Engaging Paint Kits
Engaging Paint Kits
Paint Vibe's Paint-by-Numbers Kits are Aesthetic and Relaxing
Paint Vibe’s 'Paint-by-Numbers Kits' offer an accessible and enjoyable way to create detailed artwork without prior painting experience. Designed to simplify the artistic process, these kits... MORE
Mental Health-Focused Wellness Partnerships
Mental Health-Focused Wellness Partnerships
Solace House Inc. and Solace New York Partner
This innovative partnership between Solace House Inc. and Solace New York represents a significant evolution in integrated wellness as it bridges the gap between physical fitness and mental health... MORE
AI Intimacy
Retail brands are using AI to create deeper emotional connections with customers
Trend - Retail companies are deploying AI systems that go beyond transactional interactions to build genuine emotional relationships with customers. These technologies learn individual preferences, remember personal details, and anticipate needs in ways that make customers feel truly understood. AI is being used so every interaction feels like a continuation of an ongoing relationship.
Workshop Question - How could your brand use AI to remember and celebrate the small details that make each customer feel uniquely valued?
7.8
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Popularity
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Megatrends
Interactive AI-Powered Retail Kiosks
Interactive AI-Powered Retail Kiosks
Skechers and We Are Social Singapore Launched the Luna Kiosk
Skechers and We Are Social Singapore have announced a new partnership that will see the performance footwear brand and the creative agency offering access to the Luna kiosk. The artificial... MORE
Optician-Focused AI Retail Solutions
Optician-Focused AI Retail Solutions
KITS Eyecare Ltd. Has Introduced OpticianAI™
KITS Eyecare presents an advanced artificial intelligence platform designed to modernize the eyewear shopping experience — OpticianAI™. This system combines facial recognition, prescription... MORE
AI-Powered Retail Advisors
AI-Powered Retail Advisors
Lowe's Mylow Companion Enhances Service & Associate Onboarding
Lowe's Mylow Companion is a new AI tool for associate sales floor devices and it's poised to enhance the in-store customer experience and the associate onboarding process. The app quickly provides... MORE
AI-Powered Loyalty Programs
AI-Powered Loyalty Programs
The Ubacart Loyalty Program is Targeted Towards Convenience Stores
The Ubacart loyalty program has been created by the brand as a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered discount solution for shoppers to help them enjoy exclusive discounts and wards for their... MORE
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
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Megatrends
Exclusive Upscale Holiday-Edition Pop-Ups
Exclusive Upscale Holiday-Edition Pop-Ups
The Magical House of Chanel Opens its Doors at Harrods
Chanel Beauté has launched its exclusive pop-up, ‘The Magical House of Chanel,’ at Harrods, which will be open until October 24. This pop-up features a range of experiences, including... MORE
Immersive Fragrance Retail Locations
Immersive Fragrance Retail Locations
The Perfume Shop Experiential Store is Located in Stockport
The Perfume Shop experiential store has been launched by the brand in the UK in Stockport to provide shoppers with an immersive new experience to check out this year. The location is slated to open... MORE
Tranquil Retail Environments
Tranquil Retail Environments
NEOM Wellbeing Has Launched Its First U.S. Storefront in New York
NEOM Wellbeing’s storefront in New York’s West Village marks an important step in its global expansion. The store spans 481 square feet and is designed as a tranquil retreat from the... MORE
In-Store Dating Experiences
In-Store Dating Experiences
IKEA and Breeze Partnered for Valentine's Day Date Experiences
IKEA and Breeze have announced a new partnership in the UK that will provide consumers with a chance to get romantic with a special someone this Valentine's Day. The partnership will see nine... MORE
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?
6.7
Score
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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
AI Kiosk
Smart kiosks that provide recommendations and point-of-sale support are being deployed
Trend - Retailers are deploying in-store kiosks powered by artificial intelligence (AI). These AI kiosks interpret and make recommendations for consumers interacting with them, thus streamlining the retail process. The advent of AI kiosks also reduces the required staff and, thus, costs for retailers.
Workshop Question - How could your brand improve its consumers' experiences by employing artificial intelligence, or other, smart features?
6.8
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Popularity
Activity
Freshness
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Megatrends
AR Retail Kiosks
AR Retail Kiosks
BIG Digital and DeepAR Bring Mobile & Desktop Try-Ons to Store Settings
Virtual try-on experiences for apparel and accessory products have revolutionized the way consumers shop online, and BIG Digital and DeepAR are bringing immersive experiences to retail settings with... MORE
AI-Powered Payment Systems
AI-Powered Payment Systems
Mashgin Introduces a New AI-Powered Checkout System with Verifone
Mashgin, an innovative leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-based self-checkout systems, is joining forces with Verifone, a global pioneer in payment solutions. The core of this innovation lies... MORE
Intuitive Self-Service Order Kiosks
Intuitive Self-Service Order Kiosks
The GoTab Self-Ordering Kiosks Support Quick Service and More
The GoTab Self-Ordering Kiosks are the latest solution from the hospitality technology brand that’s engineered with an intuitive customer experience in mind to support quick ordering, hybrid... MORE
Self-Service Commerce Kiosks
Self-Service Commerce Kiosks
Cantaloupe Go Brings Buy-and-Go Expereinces to Customers
Cantaloupe Go is a new product line of self-service commerce solutions and it was recently unveiled by Cantaloupe at The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) Show 2023. At the event,... MORE
Automated Hot Food Kiosks
Automated Hot Food Kiosks
Sodexo and Automated Retail Technologies Teamed Up for New Kiosks
Sodexo and Automated Retail Technologies (ART) have teamed up to provide consumers with a quick meal at their leisure that’s easy for them to access at their leisure. The partnership will see... MORE
Seamless Engagement
Pop-ups that require minimal time to engage consumers are gaining traction
Trend - Brands are creating passive pop-ups, such as billboards or signposts, that beget consumers to engage with only a brief action. These are more engaging than regular billboards while not requiring much time from consumers. Additionally, brands do not need to staff these pop-ups, thus reducing costs.
Workshop Question - How could your brand benefit from passive engagement opportunities to enhance its marketing strategies?
5.7
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Activity
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Megatrends
play_circle_filledHug-Activated Marketing Machines
Hug-Activated Marketing Machines
UNIQLO France and The Pull Launch the Hug to Unlock Ad
UNIQLO France unveils the Hug to Unlock campaign with the help of Paris-based marketing agency The Pill. The campaign encourages passersby to embrace in a hug to initiate a surprise by the brand. It... MORE
play_circle_filledIllusory Fry Billboards
Illusory Fry Billboards
KFC is Promoting Its Fing Fing Cajun Chips with a Clever Billboard
In China, KFC is promoting its new Fing Fing Cajun Chips with an optical illusion billboard that has people literally shaking their heads. With “fing fing” meaning “shake” in... MORE
play_circle_filledFood Truck Billboards
Food Truck Billboards
McDonald's Transformed Billboards into Digital Food Truck Displays
McDonald’s Sweden recently launched a new fried chicken burger inspired by street food culture. As part of the launch campaign, the fast-food giant transformed digital-out-of-home (DOOH)... MORE
play_circle_filledRecord-Breaking AR Mirrors
Record-Breaking AR Mirrors
Maybelline New York & FFFACE.ME Debuted a Large Interactive Experience
Maybelline New York worked with XR company FFFACE.ME to unveil a record-breaking augmented reality mirror with a screen size of 43,000 square feet on the side of the Gulliver Mall in Kyiv. This AR... MORE
play_circle_filledDeserted Island Billboards
Deserted Island Billboards
Silk & Spice Set Up a Billboard for Fans to Go and Find
While most billboards are strategically positioned in high-traffic areas to maximize visibility, Silk & Spice is taking a different route, opting to set up a desert island billboard and initiate... MORE
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
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Megatrends
Accessible Online Retail Initiatives
Accessible Online Retail Initiatives
Instacart and Walgreens Partnered to Accept SNAP/EBT Online
Instacart and Walgreens have announced a new partnership to support online SNAP/EBT payments online to help consumers in the US who utilize the programs with a way to access items in an even easier... MORE
Online Grocery Equity Initiatives
Online Grocery Equity Initiatives
Broulim’s Fresh Foods Will Start Accepting SNAP Payments Online
Broulim’s Fresh Foods has announced it will start accepting Supplement Nutritional Assistant Program (SNAP) payments online in a bid to help enhance equity for shoppers. Shoppers in Idaho will... MORE
Nutritional Assistance Retail Partnerships
Nutritional Assistance Retail Partnerships
Raley’s and Instacart Partnered for SNAP Recipients
Raley’s and Instacart have announced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) integration for customers who use the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) to help provide easier access to... MORE
Grocery Delivery Payment Updates
Grocery Delivery Payment Updates
DoorDash Now Accepts SNAP/EBT Online Payments
DoorDash has announced it will continue broadening food access for consumers by offering consumers the option to use SNAP/EBT online payments with a handful of participating retailers. The grocery... MORE
EBT-Supported Grocery Deliveries
EBT-Supported Grocery Deliveries
Amazon Debuts an Unlimited Grocery Delivery Service for EBT Users
Amazon is streamlining its grocery shopping capabilities by launching a new unlimited grocery delivery subscription for Prime customers with an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. As a part of... MORE
Informative Yogurt
Dairy brands are redesigning packaging to explicitly advertise health benefits
Trend - Brands in the dairy industry are redesigning product packaging to be more explicitly informative. These new packagings highlight the ingredients' exact nutritional benefits, such as benefiting gut health. Many such products are also advertising organic or eco-friendly ingredients.
Workshop Question - How could your brand redesign its packaging to ensure it best appeals to the desires of its consumers?
7
Score
Popularity
Activity
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Megatrends
High-Protein Yogurt Lines
High-Protein Yogurt Lines
Oikos PRO High-Protein Yogurt Launches in Canada
Oikos 'PRO' high-protein yogurt is officially hitting Canadian shelves, redefining how health-conscious consumers fuel their strength. Known for its rich and creamy Greek yogurt, Oikos introduces... MORE
Natural Yogurt Jars
Natural Yogurt Jars
Danone Argentina Adopted New Packaging to Improve Environmental Efforts
Danone Argentina has introduced new yogurt jars for its La Serenísima Original brand, designed to emphasize the product’s natural and premium qualities. The jars are made from polyethylene... MORE
Reformed Yogurt Packagings
Reformed Yogurt Packagings
Nomadic Redesigned its Packaging to Emphasize Health Benefits
Nomadic, in collaboration with Greiner Packaging, has introduced a new packaging format for its Protein+ Granola yoghurt range. This new design is an “upside-down” version of the existing Yogurt &... MORE
Revamped Gut Health Yogurts
Revamped Gut Health Yogurts
The Activia Rebranding Includes a New Recipe and Packaging
This Activia rebranding has been announced by Danone in the UK as part of the brand’s initiative to keep the product relevant with today’s consumer and also draw in those who are new to... MORE
Sustainably Packaged Greek Yogurts
Sustainably Packaged Greek Yogurts
Nounós Creamery Probiotic Strained Yogurt Comes in Two Options
Nounós Creamery Probiotic Strained Yogurt is a premium range of nutrient-dense dairy products perfect for consumers to incorporate into their nutrition-focused lifestyle. The yogurt comes in... MORE
Embedded Lending
Tech companies enhance their offerings with Buy Now, Pay Later financial services
Trend - Embedded lending is reshaping financial services by allowing non-financial companies to offer loans and financing, such as Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options exemplified by Apple Pay Later. This trend extends beyond consumer finance into the B2B realm, providing small and medium-sized businesses with faster access to capital through various funding methods like merchant cash advances and revenue-based financing.
Workshop Question - How can your brand leverage embedded lending to enhance customer experiences and create new revenue streams through tailored financial solutions?
2.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
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Megatrends
BNPL Shopping Subscriptions
BNPL Shopping Subscriptions
Klarna Adds a Subscription Plan for Frequent Shoppers
Klarna, the leading buy now, pay later provider, is launching its new subscription service across the U.S., priced at $7.99 per month, marking a significant move after a successful pilot phase.... MORE
BNPL Bank Programs
BNPL Bank Programs
Marqeta and Credi2 Collaborate to Enhance the Banks' Payment Capabilities
Marqeta has partnered strategically with Credi2 to offer an end-to-end installment platform tailored for banks. This collaboration addresses the increasing consumer demand for flexible and seamless... MORE
Affordable BNPL Programs
Affordable BNPL Programs
Apple Introduces the Apple Pay Later Program to US Market
Apple’s buy-now, pay-later (BNPL) solution, Apple Pay Later, is now available in the US markets. With the help of the new offering, customers will be able to make four interest- and fee-free... MORE
BNPL-Enabled Home Retailers
BNPL-Enabled Home Retailers
At Home Debuts the Buy-Now-Pay-Later Program for Qualifying Purchases
At Home is a home decor store and a valuable resource for consumers looking to decorate or furnish their space. As the result of a new initiative, the brand is launching a new buy-now-pay-later... MORE