Trend Taster: destination dupe edition
In this week’s edition of the Trend Taster, we round up the snackable trends, stats and insights from around the world, including:
Can a jelly drink stop hunger pangs?
Gen Z Fandom
Olympic Esports Games
F1 female fan culture
Destination Dupes
Can a jelly drink stop hunger pangs?
A new Japanese product called In Tansan offers an alternative approach to appetite suppression. This canned beverage, available in lemon and dry grapefruit flavours, transforms into a jelly-like substance when it interacts with stomach acids. The resulting gel creates a sensation of fullness that lasts for 2-3 hours, potentially helping to curb hunger. The 190-milliliter cans are similar in size to standard canned coffees, and the drinks are low in calories, with the grapefruit version containing zero calories and the lemon flavour only 18 calories due to natural sweeteners.
Gen Z Fandom
Fan culture has evolved to become a significant force in shaping contemporary popular culture. Modern fans are increasingly aware of the value their engagement brings to the entities they support, whether these are individuals, products, or franchises. In response, the objects of fandom have become more receptive to fan input throughout various stages of development and distribution. This symbiotic relationship has led to a notable shift in the cultural landscape, with fan participation now playing a pivotal role in influencing emerging trends and content creation. Interestingly, a small but significant portion of Generation Z, approximately 8%, identify as professional fans who monetize their fandom-related activities, further illustrating the growing impact and potential career opportunities within fan culture.
Olympic Esports Games
The International Olympic Committee has approved the creation of the Olympic Esports Games (OEG), with the inaugural event scheduled for 2025 in Saudi Arabia. This decision has sparked mixed reactions on social media, given the longstanding controversy surrounding esports in the Olympics. This announcement has also raised concerns due to Saudi Arabia's current laws against homosexuality and accusations of "sportswashing" to divert attention from human rights issues.
F1 female fan culture
Formula 1 sponsorships have expanded beyond traditional partners, with Charlotte Tilbury's involvement marking a significant shift. Thanks to initiatives like Netflix's Drive to Survive, women now make up 40% of the global F1 audience, up from 8% in 2017. This growing interest has sparked creativity, with 19.1K Wattpad fanfics tagged 'Formula 1' and the popular Two Girls 1. Launched in 2023, the F1 Academy, led by Susie Wolff, supports 15 female drivers aged 16-25.
Destination Dupes
The "dupe" trend, which offers affordable alternatives to popular products, has now extended to travel on TikTok. Expedia's 2024 destinations of the year feature destination dupes—unexpected and often more affordable alternatives to well-loved locations. These dupes have seen a significant increase in searches over the past year, with global searches for the top five more than doubling year-over-year. Examples include Taipei for Seoul, Paros for Santorini, and Quebec City for Geneva.
