Shopping: Gen Zers are so terrified of a recession that they’re ditching doom spending, ordering Happy Meals, and using ChatGPT for free therapy

Why It Is Trending: • Economic Anxiety Among Gen Z: Rising recession fears, job insecurity, and debt burdens push Gen Z toward frugal living. • Popularity of TikTok Sharing: Young consumers are widely sharing cost-saving strategies via social media, boosting viral popularity. • Shift Away From “Doom Spending”: Young consumers previously engaged in impulsive buying…

Snacking: 4 Ideas for Snack Innovation in 2025

Why Is This Topic Trending? • Snacking as a Lifestyle: Over 90% of global consumers snack daily, making it a universal eating pattern. • Nutritional Awareness: Rising health consciousness drives demand for snacks with added nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and functional ingredients. • Clean Labels and Traceability: Increasing preference for short, recognizable ingredient lists and labels that…

Confectionery: 4 candy trends for c-stores to watch

Why Is This Topic Trending? • Economic Pressure vs. Emotional Relief: Consumers are cutting back on discretionary spending, yet candy remains a top “affordable indulgence” due to its emotional reward factor. • Retail Declines Trigger Strategic Reassessment: Despite U.S. candy sales reaching $54B in 2024, unit sales fell 5.9% in c-stores, signaling behavioral shifts in purchasing. •…

Travel: Why a ‘babymoon’ experience is becoming popular among couples who embrace luxury travel

Why Is This Topic Trending? • Rise of Babymoons: As expectant couples seek time to relax and reconnect before the baby arrives, the “babymoon” trend has grown, reflecting the luxury travel market’s shift towards meaningful, pre-parenthood getaways. • Increasing Demand for Luxury Experiences: High-end resorts and private islands are catering to the growing demand for tranquil, wellness-focused…

Beauty: A Dermatologist’s Guide To Navigating The TikTok Skincare Space In 2025

Why Is This Topic Trending? • Surge of TikTok Skincare Content: Short‑form videos flood feeds with viral hacks, fueling both curiosity and confusion among consumers. • Exploding Market Size: The global skincare industry is projected to reach $200 billion by 2026, with Gen Z and Millennials turning to social platforms for guidance. • Misinformation Velocity: Unregulated social media allows click‑bait…

Fashion: What’s up with White Fox? How ‘Hotmail viral’ marketing helped the fashion brand win over gen Z

Why Is This Topic Trending? • Explosive Brand Growth: White Fox has rapidly expanded from an eBay side hustle to a global fast‑fashion powerhouse—US$73.8 million in 2024 sales—drawing industry attention to its tactics. • Gen Z & Millennial Appeal: The brand’s “hot girls wear” positioning and weekly “drops” generate FOMO among fashion‑conscious teens and twenty‑somethings. • Ubiquitous Visibility: High‑impact outdoor ads…

Beauty: Beauty experts reveal the biggest recession indicator trends, from DIY extensions to spray tans

Why Is This Topic Trending? • Economic Anxiety & Beauty Spending Shifts – Early recession signals (rising tariffs, falling discretionary spend) push consumers to cheaper, lower‑maintenance beauty routines. • Gen Z & Millennial Cost‑Cutting Hacks – Young women document DIY lash extensions, press‑on nails, at‑home spray tans and hair color to avoid triple‑digit salon bills. • “Recession Hair/Beauty” Viral on TikTok – Hashtags such…

Restaurants: Taco Bell brings back crispy chicken nuggets

Why Is This Topic Trending? • Return of Popular Menu Item: Taco Bell’s Crispy Chicken Nuggets are returning due to overwhelming consumer demand from their sell-out debut in December 2024. • Menu Innovation: The transition from taco-centric to chicken-centric offerings represents a significant strategic shift for Taco Bell. • Unique Flavor Profile: Jalapeno buttermilk marinade combined with tortilla-chip…

Restaurants: Gen Z Craves Café Vibes With No Starbucks Tab

Why Is This Topic Trending? • Home Café Experience: Gen Z is embracing the cozy café vibe at home to sidestep rising coffee shop prices. • Social Media Influence: TikTok influencers are spearheading the movement, sharing DIY coffee recipes and home café setups. • Cost-Conscious Decisions: The $7 latte has become emblematic of overpriced coffee culture, leading Gen…