Trend Taster: ‘granny hobbies’ edition
In this week’s edition of the Trend Taster, we round up the snackable trends, stats and insights from around the world, including:
Does anyone still print photographs?
The hidden costs of digital nomadism
"Lipstick in the dark" stores
"Granny hobbies"
Knit-while-you-watch screenings
Does anyone still print photographs?
Young adults are reviving physical photography, with 43% of Gen Z regularly printing photographs; twice as often as older generations, according to a recent Haven study of 2,000 UK participants. Despite having fewer digital photos than Millennials (who average 2,574 images in their camera rolls), Gen Z prints photos approximately four times per year, contrasting sharply with only 5% of Boomers who regularly print digital images. This resurgence of physical prints coincides with Gen Z's embrace of retro digital cameras, suggesting a meaningful shift away from the 2015 trend where 67% of people stored images exclusively in digital formats, potentially reflecting a desire for tangible memories in an increasingly digital world.
The hidden costs of digital nomadism
A new study by bunq reveals the hidden struggles of British digital nomads, with 31% reporting mental health challenges while working abroad. The lifestyle brings significant personal costs: 31% missed important life events like weddings and funerals, while 24% believe their international lifestyle has negatively affected their career trajectory. Despite these challenges, many still find value in the experience, with one in five reporting stronger relationships while traveling and nearly a quarter feeling more financially secure due to location flexibility.
"Lipstick in the dark" stores
Japanese beauty brand KissMe Ferme has created an "lipstick in the dark" store where customers apply their new ToRiKo Touch lipstick in dimmed, spaces that remove visual distractions. This multisensory retail experience deliberately heightens awareness of the product's smoothness, texture, and scent by leveraging the psychological principle that when vision is diminished, other senses become more acute. The concept represents a departure from traditional bright, crowded beauty retail environments, creating a memorable emotional connection that focuses entirely on the product's key selling point: its "captivatingly smooth and blissful application."
"Granny hobbies"
"Granny hobbies" like knitting, crocheting, and gardening are attracting younger generations who seek relief from digital burnout. On TikTok, viral videos of handmade sweaters, crochet patterns, and sourdough starters showcase this shift toward tangible, screen-free activities. A study in the National Library of Medicine shows that knitting and crocheting reduce anxiety for more than 70% of participants, while gardening decreases depression and stress. Beyond mental health benefits, these hands-on crafts are creating new communities as people connect through shared creative pursuits.
Knit-while-you-watch screenings
South Korean theatre chain CGV is turning knitting into a social cinema experience with monthly "knitting screenings". This approach addresses the post-pandemic struggle of theatres to compete with home streaming by creating unique, community-focused experiences that give audiences a compelling reason to return to cinemas beyond just blockbuster releases. The trend reflects how businesses are adapting to changed consumer behaviours by integrating existing hobbies and passion points into their offerings rather than trying to force customers back into pre-pandemic patterns.
