FuturistU > Tactics > The 18 Megatrends > Module 7 / 7

The Divergence Megatrends

Instructor: Armida Ascano
Innovations in Fashion
Download the Innovations in Fashion Trend Report
The final module in the 18 Megatrends course is on Divergence, which focuses on anti-mainstream trends. Divergence is a Pattern of Opportunity that is all about going against the grain. In order to provide something truly unique, brands must lean toward the unconventional.

Divergence Megatrends include Authenticity, Many-to-Many, and Personalization. Ultimately, these Megatrends all represent major shifts in collective consciousness, such as rethinking reality, shifting to a peer-to-peer economy, and redefining luxury to focus more on products made specific to one's needs. Take the first step to revolutionizing your industry with this module.
Related Trend Report: Innovations in Fashion
Workshop Questions:
1. What about your brand or product could come off as disingenuous?
2. What opportunities for personalization could be integrated into your offering?
3. What steps can you take to bring consumers together?
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Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Protein Pudding
Snacking brands are launching protein-packed salty puddings
Trend - Brands are launching single-serve pudding cups fortified with whey, plant, or collagen protein enhanced with sea salt, cheese-inspired notes, or umami extracts. Products arrive in both refrigerated and shelf-stable formats, featuring minimal sugar, clean-label ingredients, and added healthy fats.
Workshop Question - How can we innovate our product lineup to offer convenient, indulgent options with added health benefits that appeal to modern, health-focused consumers?
6.4
Score
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Activity
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Megatrends
Collaborative High-Protein Dairy Products
Collaborative High-Protein Dairy Products
The Müller x Myprotein Range Has Whey and Casein Protein
The Müller x Myprotein range has been created in partnership with the dairy brand and the sports nutrition brand as a series of nutrition-minded products perfect for health-conscious consumers to... MORE
Protein-Packed Rice Puddings
Protein-Packed Rice Puddings
FUEL10K Rice Pudding Has 13-Grams of Protein Per Serving
The FUEL10K Rice Pudding range has been announced by the Premier Foods-owned brand as a series of flavorful desserts that offer a functional take on a classic treat. The product is crafted with a... MORE
Indulgent Protein Puddings
Indulgent Protein Puddings
PROfeel Protein Pudding Shares a Treat-Like Experience with a Boost
Milk protein can make pudding a valuable source of protein and PROfeel Protein Pudding's refrigerated products dial up the protein content, all while remaining low in fat, lactose-free and free... MORE
Chilled High-Protein Dairy Products
Chilled High-Protein Dairy Products
These The Gym Kitchen High-Protein Products are Flavor-Packed
These new The Gym Kitchen High-Protein products have been developed by the brand with the increasing demand for high-protein dairy options as consumers seek out ways to support their dietary needs... MORE
Air-Fried Dessert
Brands increasingly make dessert and snack products compatible for the air fryer
Trend - Brands are increasingly launching dessert products that can be warmed up or prepared in the air fryer. These post-meal delights cater to consumers’ desire for convenience and cravings for sweets at home, aligning with the rising popularity of air-fried foods and at-home snacking rituals.
Workshop Question - How can your brand respond to an emerging trend with an appropriate product?
5.4
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Megatrends
Air Fryer-Ready Donuts
Air Fryer-Ready Donuts
CRAVE Dodoughs Can Be Prepared in an Air Fryer in Five-Minutes
Food products crafted to be readily prepared in an air fryer are quickly entering the market, which is seeing brands expand on offerings to include new options like the CRAVE Dodoughs. The sugared... MORE
Frozen Air Fryer Cookies
Frozen Air Fryer Cookies
The Trashy Gourmet Simplifies the Enjoyment of Fresh-Baked Treats at Home
Molly Bz serves up unconventional flavors like Bobadoodles and Hot Mess—loaded with mango chunks and white chocolate, then topped with Hot Cheetos—and the bold, divergent gourmet cookie brand... MORE
Protein Sweet Pancakes
Protein Sweet Pancakes
Bbang's Cinnamon Hotteok Brings Korean Street Food to the Freezer Aisle
Consumer interest in globally inspired street food is on the rise, with many eager to bring the vibrant flavors of these snacks into their own homes, and Cinnamon Hotteok is one sweet, convenient,... MORE
Frozen Veggie-Packed Pastries
Frozen Veggie-Packed Pastries
Veggies Made Great Chocolate Chip Blondie Bites are 70-Calories Each
The Veggies Made Great Chocolate Chip Blondie Bites are the latest addition to the brand’s bakery snacks range that are ready to deliver exceptional taste with hidden vegetable benefits to boot.... MORE
Bamboo Menstrual
Bamboo menstrual pads are gaining popularity to improve sustainability
Trend - Brands are developing menstrual pads made from bamboo fibers, offering eco-friendly alternatives to traditional pads. These products emphasize biodegradability, renewable sourcing, and natural comfort while addressing environmental concerns associated with conventional disposable pads.
Workshop Question - How can your brand innovate in its industry by utilizing sustainable materials that address environmental and health concerns?
6
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Popularity
Activity
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Megatrends
Viral Organic Tampons
Viral Organic Tampons
Vive for your V Restocks the Viral Tampons That Had a Waitlist
Viv for Your V is turning period care into a movement, with over 3,000 people joining the waitlist for their 'Organic Cotton Tampons' -- a first for menstrual products. This Gen Z-loved brand is... MORE
Plant-Based Menstrual Pads
Plant-Based Menstrual Pads
Joni Stocks Its Sustainable and Organic Period Pads at Costco
Joni, a Canadian brand revolutionizing the period-care market, has officially launched its sustainable, organic pads at Costco in Langford. Customers can now find the brand’s eco-friendly... MORE
Bamboo-Made Menstrual Products
Bamboo-Made Menstrual Products
The Cheeky Panda Pads Have a Bamboo Lining and Core
The Cheeky Panda Pads are a sustainable, comfort-focused menstrual product crafted with a keen attention to functionality but also the environment to make them a competitive new option for... MORE
Plant-Based Menstrual Pads
Plant-Based Menstrual Pads
Joni Period Products Expand into Canadian Costco Locations
Joni period products are sustainable, organic period care items that are focused on offering eco-friendly alternatives in the menstrual care market while addressing period poverty. The brand’s... MORE
Prestige Pantry
Brands are reimagining charcuterie staples for aspirational foodies and gatherings
Trend - Charcuterie, once relegated to specialty stores and European delicatessens, is experiencing a luxury makeover as brands reimagine cured meats through premium branding and elevated aesthetics. Legacy and newcomers alike are entering the market with sophisticated, Instagram-ready packaging and positioning.
Workshop Question - If your product showed up in a dinner party photo, would it elevate the moment or get cropped out? What would need to change to make it share-worthy?
4
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Popularity
Activity
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Megatrends
Ripe Pitted Olive Products
Ripe Pitted Olive Products
Trader Joe's New Medium Green Ripe Pitted Olives are Soft & Mild
Trader Joe’s might just change olive haters into lovers with the debut of its new Medium Green Ripe Pitted Olives. While olives are naturally quite bitter, Trader Joe’s new Medium Green... MORE
Roasted Chili Jams
Roasted Chili Jams
Pink Salt Kitchen's Nam Prik Pao is Umami, Smoky, Tangy & Sweet
The growing demand for condiments that offer more than a one-note flavor profile reflects a shift toward versatile, multi-dimensional options that enhance a variety of dishes with depth and... MORE
Vibrant Spanish Meat Packaging
Vibrant Spanish Meat Packaging
Onmi Design Re-Imagined Purlom's Branding
Purlom, the Spanish meat brand with a 40-year history, just got a major makeover thanks to Onmi Design. For this project, Onmi Design was tasked with creating a visual aesthetic that resonated with... MORE
Spanish Charcuterie Brands
Spanish Charcuterie Brands
Mercado Famous Delivers Lush Charcuterie Creations to Your Door
Mercado Famous is a Spanish charcuterie brand. That is, the business curates lush, robust, and tasteful charcuterie boards, featuring the best quality meat from farms that prioritize the use of... MORE
Slow-Aged Salami Meat Snacks
Slow-Aged Salami Meat Snacks
Volpi Salami Stix are Made with All-Natural Ingredients
Volpi Salami Stix are a new ready-to-eat product from the slow-aged meat product brand that’s perfect for consumers to try out as a convenient yet delicious snack. The product is crafted with... MORE
Retail Lounge
Retailers are launching experiential events to enhance connections to consumers
Trend - Retailers in various industries, such as department stores, luxury brands, and more, are launching in-store lounges and experiential events. These events are designed to enhance the comfort of shoppers while deepening the connection between the shoppers and the brand.
Workshop Question - How can we create experiential in-store events that enhance consumer engagement and strengthen their connection to our brand?
7.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
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Megatrends
Experiential Intimates Spaces
Experiential Intimates Spaces
Knix Opens Immersive Retail Location at Premium Shopping Centre
Knix is elevating the intimate apparel shopping experience with its new 1,800-square-foot pop-up at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre. The Canadian brand’s fifteenth North American... MORE
Zen-Inspired Experiential Retail Concepts
Zen-Inspired Experiential Retail Concepts
One Golden Thread Opens Its Innovative Space
One Golden Thread, the regenerative apparel brand based in LA, has announced the grand opening of its Flagship Experiential Retail Concept on Abbot Kinney in Venice Beach. The innovative space... MORE
Immersive Lifestyle Stores
Immersive Lifestyle Stores
Gelato Pique Has Inaugurated Its Standalone Store in South Korea
Gelato Pique’s latest retail activation is strategically located in the vibrant Hannam-dong area of Seoul. This significant launch introduces a unique lifestyle space encompassing a garden... 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
Luxury Jeweler Boutiques
Luxury Jeweler Boutiques
Château D'ivoire Renovated Its Downtown Montreal Location & It's Stunning
Château D’Ivoire, a longstanding luxury jeweler in Montreal, has reopened its downtown location following a significant renovation. The revamped store offers over 20,000 square feet of space... MORE
Customized Hydration
Brands enhance hydration products with new customization options
Trend - Brands now offer customization options for sports drink mixes, letting users adjust various components of their hydration product. These customizations can affect flavor or ingredients, enabling users to tailor their drink to their unique preferences or physiological needs.
Workshop Question - How can your brand meet consumers' growing demand for customization?
5.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
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Megatrends
Customizable Hydration Beverages
Customizable Hydration Beverages
INFINIT Nutrition's DIY Beverages Start at Just $2.80
The Custom Fuel & Hydration Creator from Infinit Nutrition allows athletes to design personalized sports drink mixes tailored to their specific needs and preferences. Users can adjust various... MORE
Build-Your-Own Hydration Solutions
Build-Your-Own Hydration Solutions
DIY Beverages Offers a Fully Customizable Hydration Experience
DIY Beverages’ new ‘Sports Drinks’ line is designed with a focus on customer convenience and customization, offering a tailored hydration experience for fitness enthusiasts. This... MORE
Functional Custom-Made Powders
Functional Custom-Made Powders
Gainful's Hydration Solutions are Non-GMO and Plant-Based
Gainful is a subscription-driven supplement company that redefines personalization in nutrition. Renowned for its tailored approach, Gainful offers subscribers a unique advantage with complimentary... MORE
Bespoke Hydration Solutions
Bespoke Hydration Solutions
Hydrata Electrolyte Beverage Co. Now Offers a 'Custom Blend'
Hydrata Electrolyte Beverage Co. is excited to introduce its new ‘Custom Blend,’ allowing shoppers to create a personalized electrolyte beverage tailored to their unique needs and taste... 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
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
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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
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?
7
Score
Popularity
Activity
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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
Ethical Meat
Animal protein brands are highlighting ethical farming practices on packaging
Trend - Animal protein brands with CPGs are more heavily emphasizing ethical farming practices on product packaging. In addition to organic or cruelty-free labels, the ethically sourced label denotes a higher level of care given to the farmed animals, ensuring consumers of the brand's priorities and values.
Workshop Question - How could your brand incorporate ethical or sustainable practices into its business model to better connect with consumers?
2.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Influencer-Led Livestock Campaigns
Influencer-Led Livestock Campaigns
Jaxon and Lachlan Fairbairn Partner with Australian Good Meat
Jaxon and Lachlan Fairbairn, two social media influencers with significant followings on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, have partnered with Australian Good Meat to head a new campaign about... MORE
Fully Cooked Organic Bacons
Fully Cooked Organic Bacons
Applegate Released Pre-Cooked Antiobiotic-Free QSR Bacon
Applegate Naturals Fully Cooked Sunday Bacon represents a new addition to the brand’s product line, offering consumers a convenient and clean option for enjoying bacon. This fully cooked bacon is... MORE
Free Range Chicken Fillets
Free Range Chicken Fillets
Trader Joe's Now Sells Free Range Thin Sliced Chicken Breast Fillets
Trader Joe’s is helping consumers make more ethical choices when shopping for meat with its new Organic Free Range Boneless Skinless Thin Sliced Chicken Breast Fillets. Just as the name... MORE
Artisan Charcuterie Sets
Artisan Charcuterie Sets
This Salami Charcuterie Set from Charlito's Cocina is Ethically Sourced
This 5 Piece Salami Charcuterie Set from Charlito’s Cocina is crafted with care and includes a Campo Seco, a spicy Salami Picante, a Cerveza Seca, a Chorizo Seco, and a Trufa Seca. Each 5oz... MORE
Ethically Sourced Beef Campaigns
Ethically Sourced Beef Campaigns
Verde Farms Announces the 'Beef From A Better Place' Campaign
Verde Farms, a leading brand of organic, 100% grass-fed, and pasture-raised beef, is thrilled to announce its brand relaunch and inaugural consumer-focused campaign, “Beef From A Better Place&#... MORE
Canned Soap
Cosmetics brands are using aluminum cans to aid sustainability efforts
Trend - Self-care products are being offered in aluminum cans to enhance sustainability. Often coupled with refillable designs, these cans reduce packaging costs and are nearly infinitely recyclable. Additionally, the resilience of aluminum packaging simplifies shipping and logistics systems.
Workshop Question - How could your brand benefit from circular packaging materials, such as aluminum or paper?
6.8
Score
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Activity
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Megatrends
Canned Hand Soaps
Canned Hand Soaps
Craft Naturals Sells Hand Soap in Canned Packaging
Hand soap, a household essential regularly in need of replenishment, is now being offered in recyclable canned packaging by forward-thinking brands like Craft Naturals, providing both convenience... MORE
Sustainable Canned Shampoos
Sustainable Canned Shampoos
Menz Club Pairs a Refillable "Forever Bottle" with Shampoo in a Can
Shampoo refills traditionally come in plastic pouches or large-format boxes and bottles, yet Menz Club is one brand that packages shampoo in a can as a lightweight, recyclable and plastic-free... MORE
Canned Castile Soaps
Canned Castile Soaps
Utama Spice Packages Its All-Natural Liquid Soap in Stubby Refill Cans
Plastic pouches are commonly used to provide consumers with an easy way to replenish purchased products but brands like Utama Spice have adopted refill cans for products like castile soap.... MORE
Canned Dish Soaps
Canned Dish Soaps
Unpackaged Sells Dish Soap in a Can for Easy Refilling & Recycling
Many brands are transitioning to aluminum bottles for their product packaging, with some like Unpackaged opting for soda- or beer-style cans for products like liquid dish soap in a can. The Dish... MORE