FuturistU > Consumers > Unpacking Consumer Behavior > Module 2 / 5

The Mind

Instructor: Shelby Walsh
Emerging Foods
Download the Emerging Foods Trend Report
In this final module on consumer behavior, we’ll be looking at the changes occurring in the consumer mindset today. Through the lens of trend tensions, this module explores individualism versus collectivism and what this means in terms of business opportunity.

Case studies will uncover where consumers are turning to better get a better understanding of themselves and how they are expressing their individuality as well as how “tribes” are coming together collectively to help individuals find meaning and communal support.
Related Trend Report: Emerging Foods
Workshop Questions:
1. What would change about your business if it was considered a tech company?
2. What would change about your business if scarcity was its paramount value?
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Featured Insights

Regional Alcohol-Free
Non-alcoholic beverages incorporate the flavor nuances of local regions
Implications - In recent years the growth of the non-alcoholic beverage category reflects a shift in drinking habits. To better cater to these preferences, brands are crafting alcohol-free products that take inspiration from the flavors of popular regional cocktails.
Workshop Question - Consider how the incorporation of local elements could impact the perception of your brand. What elements could you incorporate?
5
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Cultured Creamery
Ice Cream is used as a step towards experiencing global palette
Implications - By leveraging ice cream as an exploratory platform, brands are allowing consumers to experience new cultures via regional flavors, but with the security of the familiar dessert concept. This combination speaks to the consumer desire for experimental foodie experiences, coupled with a refusal to limit their palettes to their own geographic experiences.
Workshop Question - How can your brand combine the security that comes with familiarity, with an experimental product or experience?
2.3
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Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Verdant Flavor
Herbaceous flavors bring fresh, botanical notes to everyday foods
Trend - Brands are incorporating herbaceous flavors across food categories, from savory snacks to desserts, bringing ingredients like basil or rosemary into unexpected formats; creating fresh flavor experiences that encourage culinary exploration while remaining approachable for everyday consumption.
Workshop Question - How can your brand incorporate flavors in ways that make familiar foods feel fresh and elevated?
7.2
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Tiramisu Twist
Classic tiramisu flavors inspire inventive desserts beyond the original
Trend - Dessert brands and food manufacturers are reimagining tiramisu in unexpected formats, translating its signature coffee, cocoa and mascarpone flavor profile into cookies, cakes, frozen treats, chocolates and snack products that extend the classic Italian dessert into new indulgent occasions.
Workshop Question - How could your brand reinvent a signature item into formats that surprise consumers while preserving its signature appeal?
9.2
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Sweet Soda
Soft drink brands recreate familiar dessert flavors in sparkling soda formats
Trend - Brands are introducing dessert-inspired sodas that translate familiar sweet treats into sparkling beverages—from flavors such as frozen desserts to dirty soda varieties, these sodas reimagine indulgent desserts as refreshing drinks that encourage flavor exploration and limited-time trial.
Workshop Question - How can your brand reinvent familiar flavors to create new moments of consumer excitement?
8.3
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Sociable Scoop
Brands are embracing ice cream pop-ups to drive experiential marketing
Trend - Brands are launching immersive ice cream pop-ups where limited-edition treats, custom flavors, playful branding and interactive environments transform a familiar summer indulgence into a memorable experiential activation that strengthens consumer engagement and encourages in-person participation.
Workshop Question - How can your brand transform an everyday indulgence into an immersive experience that builds lasting consumer affinity?
8.9
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Local Cream
Cream cheese products are infused with local and regionally-inspired flavors
Trend - Brands are introducing new cream cheese products that incorporate flavors and ingredients tied to specific geographic regions. From savory or sweet to fusion-inspired, they often highlight local spices, herbs, fruits, or cultural recipes that are unique from traditional Western recipes.
Workshop Question - How can your brand use regional inspirations to aid in product development?
7.3
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Mediterranean Luxe
Food & beverage embrace Mediterranean flavors as markers of sophistication
Trend - Restaurants and beverage brands are elevating their offerings with flavors from Southern Europe, North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean. Ingredients like saffron, pistachio, pomegranate and rose are appearing in contemporary formats—from basil limoncello spritzes to pistachio rose lattes.
Workshop Question - How could your brand use global flavor cues to turn everyday products into meaningful moments of escape?
3.7
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Plant Yogurt
Plant-based yogurts integrate into daily lives of consumers with dietary concerns
Trend - Dairy brands release plant-based yogurt products in various formats including yogurt cups, frozen yogurts, and yogurt bars. These are designed to offer the benefits of yogurts to consumers with vegan dietary restrictions, with format options accounting for different meals and times of day.
Workshop Question - How can we innovate our product offerings to address both ethical concerns and convenience while appealing to diverse dietary preferences and routines?
6.6
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Revisited Cake
Brands are creating black forest desserts to appeal to nostalgic consumers
Trend - Black Forest cake, an iconic German dessert layered with chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream, is resurfacing across modern bakeries, cafes, and dessert items. Once viewed as a nostalgic indulgence, it is now experiencing a resurgence in popularity, fueled by consumer interest in retro trends.
Workshop Question - How can your brand use its product to evoke fond memories in its target consumer?
5.1
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Kitty Confection
Hello Kitty is increasingly used for marketing desserts and confectionery items
Trend - Sanrio's Hello Kitty is venturing into the snacking space through a number of innovative brand collaborations. From candies to ice cream, these treats combine the character's charm with delectable flavors, allowing fans to express their love for the cartoon cat in a delicious and adorable way.
Workshop Question - How can your brand tap into the inner child of its target audience?
4.8
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