Trend Taster: grandymoons edition
In this week’s edition of the Trend Taster, we round up the snackable trends, stats and insights from around the world, including:
Are tampons getting an engineering upgrade?
Gen Z parents are struggling with reading to their kids
Expedia's AI turns Instagram reels into bookable itineraries
Explainer: grandymoons
Delta Airlines has partnered with Missoni to update its cabin
69% of shoppers find beauty shopping overwhelming
A new study reveals 69% of shoppers find beauty shopping overwhelming, driving them away from physical stores that haven't evolved beyond transaction points. Meanwhile, 70% of Gen Z and millennials buy directly through TikTok links, reshaping discovery entirely. The frustrations are out-of-stock items top complaints, followed by crowded stores and long queues. Yet 65% still love trying products in person and 63% want stores to offer more than just purchasing.
Gen Z parents are struggling with reading to their kids
Gen Z parents are struggling with reading to their kids, and it's creating ripple effects we can't ignore. Less than half find it "fun", with many calling it "boring" or claiming no time. Only 41% read to under-fives now versus 64% in 2012. Screen-native parents are replacing story time with tablets, and educators see the consequences daily. Kids who can focus on YouTube for hours can't sit through one book. It's reshaping how emotional intelligence develops through shared narratives
Expedia's AI turns Instagram reels into bookable itineraries
Expedia's AI can now scan Instagram reels and turn them into bookable itineraries in 60 seconds, matching scenes from videos to actual hotels and restaurants. This shift from inspiration to instant booking signals how discovery is evolving beyond text searches to multimedia experiences. The challenge is that the creators that fuel the system, don't share the revenue when their content drives bookings.
Explainer: grandymoons
"Grandymoons" are multi-generational getaways where families treat grandparents to holidays as gratitude for countless school pickups and emergency babysitting. Airbnb reports over 80% of bookings are now group trips, with families splitting costs whilst reconnecting. Grandparents get quality time with all grandchildren simultaneously, while parents share expenses. The trend reflects how financial pressures are driving creative solutions that prioritise relationships over luxury, turning economic constraints into opportunities for deeper family bonds.
Delta Airlines has partnered with Missoni to update its cabin
Delta Airlines has partnered with Italian fashion house Missoni to update its Delta One cabin. This will transform their business class into a flying boutique, complete with zigzag duvets and memory foam pillows designed from passenger sleep data. This isn't just about comfort anymore. Delta positions premium travel as a collectible experience. The shift from plastic amenity kits to designer collaborations signals how airlines compete on identity, not just destinations, in an industry where differentiation is increasingly emotional.
