Mintel Little Conversation

You can’t talk about the future without considering the past. On this week’s episode, Mintel experts discuss the evolution of work and share predictions for what's coming next. How have issues like technology, automation, workers' rights, diversity, the gig economy, and later retirement ages changed everything about the way we work? Are brands keeping up with the pace of change in order to meet evolving consumer needs as work and leisure time continue to blur? As more entrepreneurs enter the economy, what does that mean for the power struggle between employers and employees? Listen now to hear what our experts have to say.

Host: Andrew Davidson (SVP/Chief Insights Officer)

Guests: Lily Harder (Vice President, Comperemedia Research),

Behice Ilhan (Senior Trend Strategist and Brand Futurist),

Richard Cope (Senior Trends Consultant)

In this episode, Mintel experts from the retail, beauty, personal care, and lifestyle sectors discuss some of the trends taking shape while consumers follow stay-at-home mandates. More time at home often means more time for the things consumers have been putting off, whether that's learning a new skill or developing a more personalised skincare regime. What at-home activities are keeping consumers sane during the COVID-19 crisis? How are they prioritising their wellbeing? What trends will linger on post-pandemic? Listen now to find out what trends are shaping consumer behaviour today and what that means for brands moving forward.

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

Guests: Alexis DeSalva (Senior Research Analyst, Retail and ecommerce, Mintel Reports US),

Lauren Goodsitt (Senior Global Beauty Analyst)

In this episode, our retail experts in the US and UK discuss the trend of frictionless retail, the idea of seamless, barrier-free shopping, in both the pre- and post-COVID-19 landscape. Some retailers have gone so far as to develop technology to help consumers completely avoid certain nuisances, for example during the checkout process, in order to create a more enjoyable shopping experience. But is that one step too far, removing too much of the path to purchase that consumers don't get the same purchase satisfaction? As the global COVID-19 pandemic is currently creating an entirely new meaning of frictionless retail, what can retailers and consumers expect next? Listen now!

Host: Andrew Davidson (SVP/Chief Insights Officer)

Guests: Alexis DeSalva (Senior Research Analyst, Retail and ecommerce, Mintel Reports US),

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

Diana Smith (Associate Director, Retail and Apparel, Mintel Reports US)

Back by popular demand, the second annual Innovation Battle. Mintel food and drink analysts from around the world make their case as to why their favourite new food and drink product (launched in 2019) should win 'most innovative'. What do the innovation experts (with over 60 years of combined experience) think about nighttime ice cream, lower sugar yoghurt, and caffeinated sparkling water? Will products like sorbet packaged in hollowed-out fruit and a vegetable-based rice alternative find broad commercial appeal? Listen to find out.

Host: Edward Bergen (Global Food and Drink Analyst)

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

David Jago (Director of Innovation and Insight)

With news of large department store brand, Neiman Marcus, filing for bankruptcy, our expert retail analysts from across the globe discuss how department stores have been affected by online shopping and how COVID-19 has exasperated stores’ troubles. Do you remember the last time you went into a department store? Would you join a zoom call to have a virtual consultation with someone at the store? Listen now to hear what our experts think the future for department stores looks like.

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

Guests: Alexis DeSalva (Senior Research Analyst, Retail and ecommerce, Mintel Reports US),

Matthew Crabbe (Director of Mintel Trends, APAC)

Chana Baram (Senior Retail Analyst, Mintel Reports UK)

This is a podcast episode about podcasts. Our experts in consumer behaviour, multichannel marketing, and social media discuss why podcasts are so popular, shifts in short- and long-term engagement, and how the channel is evolving - from both the consumer and brand perspective. Podcasts have historically been a popular tool for personal development and entertainment, boasting loyal, captive audiences. But is the COVID-19 pandemic changing how - and if - we enjoy them? As a perfect channel for mass and mid-funnel marketing strategies, the experts also share best practices for brands and what the future holds for marketers with regard to the blurring lines between podcast and influencer marketing and what happens if networks go private.

Host: Andrew Davidson (SVP/Chief Insights Officer)

Guests: Laura Ziemer (Director of Insights, Digital Media, Comperemedia), Jeannette Ornelas (Senior Digital Marketing Analyst, Comperemedia),

Simon Moriarty (Director of Mintel Trends, EMEA)

The focus of today's episode is the global food and drink industry - one hit particularly hard by COVID-19. Our experts focus their discussion on three ways food and drink companies and brands are adapting. With certain health conditions making some more susceptible than others to the coronavirus, consumers are looking for ways to boost immunity, presenting opportunities for brands to reinvigorate product innovation strategies. Meanwhile, some brands are shutting down production in order to retool their manufacturing processes to create much-needed masks, hand sanitisers, and medical devices. Finally, the once-neglected centre aisles of the grocery store are now very attractive to consumers, reintroducing them to products with a long shelf life and the ingredients used in home cooking.

Host: Edward Bergen (Global Food and Drink Analyst)

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

Jodie Minotto (Research Manager, Mintel Food and Drink, Asia Pacific),

Rick Miller (Associate Director, Specialised Nutrition)

Following the news that Google and Apple are teaming up to develop a COVID-19 contact tracing app, Mintel experts in technology and consumer trends discuss what contact tracing is and what it means for consumers. With data privacy and security breaches top of mind for many, will consumers see value in participating or will they opt out? How will marketing, incentives, education, trust, and social pressure play a role? Listen now to find out what our experts predict for the here and now of contact tracing.

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

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

Buddy Lo (Senior Analyst, Technology and Consumer Electronics, US),

Scott Stewart (Senior Analyst, Technology and Media, Canada)

In this episode, Mintel experts discuss the power the senses - specifically smell and taste - have on the human experience. As the world becomes more digital, how are food, drink, beauty, and personal care brands adapting their innovation and messaging strategies to engage the senses and elicit emotion? Certain scents or tastes can transport consumers to a different place or time and evoke a strong memory (you're thinking about one right now, aren't you?). This can be a powerful tool for brands to wield - when done correctly. Join us to find out more!

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

Guests: Ayisha Koyenikan (Global Food and Drink Analyst),

Margaux Caron (Global Beauty Analyst)

In today's episode, host Dana Macke and her guests - experts from the food and drink, lifestyle, grocery retail, and multicultural consumer sectors - take a stroll through the grocery store and discuss the reasoning behind the international food aisle. With increasing globalisation and the growing influence of diversity across consumer groups, is there a benefit to categorising all 'ethnic food' into one aisle of the grocery store? And what roles do food and drink manufacturers and brands play in educating consumers about international ingredients and recipes?

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

Guests: Jenny Zegler (Associate Director, Mintel Food & Drink),

Juan Ruiz (Director of Hispanic Insights),

Melanie Zanoza Bartelme (Global Food Analyst),

Carol Wong-Li (Associate Director, Mintel Reports Canada, Lifestyles and Leisure),

Joel Gregoire (Associate Director, Mintel Reports Canada, Food and Drink).