Most consumers have them; many have grown during the global pandemic. From indulgent food and drink to enticing gaming and gambling, vices have been a part of human history from the very start. In this episode, Mintel analysts discuss what makes a vice so 'bad', its impact on cultures and mental health, its role in entertainment and emotional release, as well as what brands must do to help consumers balance between extremes. While vices make for good (bad) headlines, they also provide catharsis, security and community. Listen now to find out what that means for consumer and companies today.

Host: Edward Bergen (Global Food and Drink Analyst).

Guests: John Poelking (Senior Gaming Analyst, Mintel Reports US),

Marcia Mogelonsky (Director of Insight, Mintel Food and Drink),

Jonny Forsyth (Associate Director, Mintel Food and Drink).

Given the advancements in modern medicine and a keen focus on health and wellness, global populations are expected to grow significantly older over the next half-century, giving new meaning and new life to the concept of healthy ageing. Meanwhile, the working population is expected to shrink, which could have a negative effect on how seniors are cared for in their later years. Mintel's expert analysts discuss the wider societal changes that will need to be addressed in order to properly care for an ageing population, including the role that brands play. Listen now as they ponder: What does healthy ageing look like for middle-aged consumers vs. those that are well into their ageing lifecycle? How will increased automation technology create new brand opportunities?

Host: Matthew Crabbe (Director of Mintel Trends, APAC).

Guests : Richard Cope (Senior Trends Consultant, EMEA),

Stephanie Mattucci (Associate Director, Food Science, Americas),

Pongpera Mitradarmbidhaks (Senior Research Analyst, Beauty and Personal Care, Thailand).

In this episode, Mintel beauty experts discuss how COVID-19 accelerated the trends they predicted for 2030 such as 'The Panorama of Humanity,' the push and pull between science and nature, and 'Identity Traders,' toggling between connection and disconnection as consumers seek out their tribe with brands serving as the facilitator. They also discuss the importance of trust and transparency and how brands need to reconnect with consumers to rebuild brand loyalty.

Host: Andrew McDougall (Associate Director, Global Beauty and Personal Care).

Guests : Sarah Jindal (Associate Director, Global Beauty and Personal Care),

Sharon Kwek (Associate Director, Beauty and Personal Care),

Vivienne Rudd (Director of Innovation and Insight).

In this episode, Mintel analysts discuss what the outlook for movie theatres and streaming platforms will be post-pandemic. With local lockdowns forcing movie theatres to close, brands had to make temporary adjustments like drive-in movie theatres and releasing movies straight to streaming services to help consumers get their movie fix. Do consumers want to go back to movie theatres? What are movie theatres currently doing to make consumers feel safe? Listen to find out!

Host: Dana Macke (Associate Director, Mintel Reports US, Lifestyles and Leisure).

Guests : Rebecca McGrath (Senior Media Analyst, Mintel Reports UK),

John Poelking (Senior Gaming Analyst, Mintel Reports US).

With the travel industry severely impacted by COVID-19, Mintel analysts in the US and Canada discuss the current state of the travel industry and what’s to come for travel loyalty programs. They also provided insight into how loyalty programs have pivoted and what type of innovation is needed to help build the industry back up and convince consumers these types of programs are still relevant even if they aren’t travelling as often.

Host: Andrew Davidson (SVP/Chief Insights Officer).

Guests: Nicole Bensi (Director of Competitive Intelligence, Comperemedia), Carol Wong-Li (Associate Director, Mintel Reports Canada, Lifestyles and Leisure),

Mike Gallinari (Travel and Leisure Analyst, Mintel Reports US).

In this episode, Mintel beauty experts from around the globe discuss the impact that COVID-19 is having on the fragrance industry. They discuss what is currently happening in the industry and how consumers are rethinking the way they use fragrance products. They also give recommendations for how brands should appeal to consumers in the current environment and share innovations in the fragrance industry they have seen recently.

Host: Samantha Dover (Senior Beauty and Personal Care Analyst, Mintel Reports UK).

Guests: Margaux Caron (Global Beauty Analyst),

Lauren Goodsitt (Senior Global Beauty Analyst),

Amanda Caridad (Senior Beauty and Personal Care Analyst, Mintel Reports Brazil).

Mintel experts in food and drink discuss how COVID-19 has impacted innovation in the food and drink industry and what brands should be doing to progress in the next six months and beyond. Online shopping, eating at home more, interest in health benefits and sustainability are all behaviours that have changed due to COVID-19 and the experts predict whether this is short or long-term and what brands can do to enhance these behaviours. Mintel experts also compare consumer behaviour in the current recession compared to what it was in 2008.

Host: Edward Bergen (Global Food and Drink Analyst).

Guests: Lynn Dornblaser (Director of Innovation and Insight),

Alex Beckett (Associate Director, Food and Drink),

David Jago (Director of Innovation and Insight)

With the news of Clarisonic, a beauty device brand owned by L’Oreal, closing after a decade, Mintel experts in the beauty industry from across the globe discuss where it all went wrong and why beauty devices have not taken off as expected. They discuss how beauty devices have evolved and what it will take for these products to take hold and fulfil consumer’s wants and needs. Listen now to hear what the experts have to say about the future of beauty devices and products.

Host: Andrew McDougall (Associate Director, Global Beauty and Personal Care).

Guests: Reiko Hasegawa (Senior Beauty & Personal Care Analyst, Japan),

Samantha Dover (Senior Beauty and Personal Care Analyst, Mintel Reports UK).

The global pandemic has created a sea change in the way consumers live their lives and brands are shuffling their messaging to connect with them. Mintel experts from across the globe discuss how COVID-19 has accelerated and shifted global consumer trends, such as more experiences, seamless spending, humanizing technology interactions, and going live on social media. They also provide recommendations on how brands should move forward in this new era.

Host: Dana Macke (Associate Director, Mintel Reports US, Lifestyles and Leisure).

Guests: Diana Kelter (Senior Trends Analyst, Americas),

Vanessa Rondine (Senior Trends Analyst LAR),

Helen Fricker (Trends Manager, EMEA),

Elysha Young (Trends Manager, APAC).

Mintel expert analysts in beauty and personal care sit down to discuss the top beauty ingredients in the North Asia Pacific that are grabbing consumer attention. From ingredients that are safe and hygienic to COVID-19’s impact on ingredient preferences, and needing scientific information on how products are beneficial, consumers in APAC are focused on making sure they are using the best ingredients possible. The analysts also predict the best ingredients to look for in Asia as well as trends moving forward.

Host: Matthew Crabbe (Director of Mintel Trends, APAC).

Guests: Laurie Du (Senior Beauty & Personal Care Analyst, China),

Hwa Jun Lee (Senior Beauty & Personal Care Analyst, South Korea),

Reiko Hasegawa (Senior Beauty & Personal Care Analyst, Japan).