Mintel Little Conversation

Ahead of the start of season three, we have a special episode today with a discussion on the popularity of Veganuary - the annual challenge of following a vegan lifestyle for the month - and the future of plant-based foods. With January already a time when many consumers make new year's resolutions often for better health and wellness, Mintel global food and drink experts and Veganuary CEO, Ria Rehberg, chat about some of the reasons why the vegan trend is gaining momentum (and mainstreaming in some markets) around the world, as well as what food, drink, and foodservice brands need to consider when developing innovative strategies to support vegan and plant-based products and campaigns.

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

Guests: Dasha Shor (Mintel Global Food Analyst),

Ria Rehberg (Veganuary CEO).

In our Season Two Holiday Bonus episode, the Little Conversation hosts discuss the year ahead and share their predictions for how consumer spending, demand, and optimism (or lack thereof) will impact markets worldwide. We saw some trends, like the rise in ecommerce, accelerate in 2020. Others experienced fundamental shifts, like the focus on local business. What is the trajectory of these changes and will they stick? The events of 2020 have resulted in a consumer divide: those who are eager to get back to pre-pandemic habits, to 'revenge spend', travel, and make up for time lost during lockdowns; and those who will keep their newly-adopted habits and spending practices, still cautious to re-enter in-person experiences and favouring quality over all else. Brands' strategic planning for 2021 must take this divide into account as everything from urban spaces, convenience shopping, and wellbeing to sustainability, transparency, and value come into question. Listen now to find out what's coming in 2021!

Mintel's 2021 Global Consumer Trends and 2021 Global Food and Drink Trends are referenced in this episode. Mintel clients can learn more by logging in to clients.mintel.com now or speaking with their Account Manager. For everyone else, check out mintel.com in January for summary insights.

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

Guests: Andrew Davidson (SVP/Chief Insights Officer),

Matthew Crabbe (Director of Mintel Trends, APAC),

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

Edward Bergen (Global Food and Drink Analyst),

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

In the season two finale, Mintel retail experts look ahead to the winter holidays. We know there is a willingness from consumers to have a good holiday season, given the events of the last year, but what barriers could stand in their way? How important are cleanliness, safety, and convenience? With discounting now expected, how else can retailers show value? Experiences were a popular gift in 2019; how will that evolve this year given social distancing restrictions? The consumer experts share their opinions and make recommendations for how retailers should engage with consumers during the festive time of year.

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

Guests: Nick Carroll (Associate Director, Retail, Mintel Reports UK),

Alexis DeSalva (Senior Research Analyst, Retail and eCommerce, Mintel Reports US).

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)