Trend Taster: digital dopamine edition
In this week’s edition of the Trend Taster, we round up the snackable trends, stats and insights from around the world, including:
India’s coffee culture
fake piercings
China’s pink tax
digital dopamine
luxury’s niche social platforms
India’s coffee culture
The surge in coffee consumption in India marks a shift in consumer behaviour, driving innovation and growth in the food and beverage industry. With over 52% of the population under 30, India’s coffee market is projected to reach $1.23 billion by 2032, reflecting economic growth and global influences. Coffee shops like Starbucks, Blue Tokai, and Subko are popular among young professionals for socializing and working. Gen Z and millennials are drawn to coffee's modern appeal and variety, with interest in the origins of different blends.
What is the deal with fake piercings?
From Emma Chamberlain wearing fake eyebrow and medusa piercings at the Alexander McQueen FW24 show to Doja Cat sported studs on her acrylic nails - fake piercings disrupt traditional aesthetics, Going with a mood-based vibes rather than committing to a specific subculture, allows consumers to experiment with unconventional beauty trends like “ugly beauty.”
China’s Pink Tax Resisters Alliance
Young Chinese are using social media communities to help each other avoid the "pink tax", a markup on products traditionally marketed towards women, On Douban, more than 26,000 members of the “Pink Tax Resisters Alliance” exchange strategies, compare prices, and discuss gender issues, especially during major shopping festivals like “618” and “Double Eleven.”
What are “digital dopamine trackers”?
Roots is a new app to help users break the cycle of scrolling. It goes beyond traditional screen-time apps by measuring the quality of time spent on different apps with its "digital dopamine" tracker. It also offers features like app lockouts, scrolling reminders, and "Monk Mode" to prevent bypassing limits. The freemium app also provides personalized balance scores and in-app subscriptions for advanced features.
Luxury’s niche social platforms
A new Morning Consult report uncovers changes in luxury shopper demographics, spending habits, media consumption, and brand attitudes.US luxury shoppers frequent niche social media platforms more than the general population, with LinkedIn usage 22 percentage points higher. They also overindex on Yelp, as they reviews cater to an audience that dines out and visits salons frequently. WhatsApp usage is also higher, often used to communicate with family and friends while abroad.
