Mintel Little Conversation

In today's episode, Mintel analysts discuss changes in consumer behaviour and market shifts in China, the US, and Europe resulting from the global spread of COVID-19, as well as lessons learned from Asia. With safety and wellness quickly rising to the top of consumers' priority lists, what does the future hold for sustainability, new product development, and distribution innovation? Will industries like retail, ecommerce, and digital marketing be forever changed? And how is all of this impacting local business communities? Join us as we discuss the legacy of COVID-19 on consumer markets.

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

Guests: Ruyi Xu (Head of Mintel Reports, North Asia)

Toby Clark (Director of EMEA Research)

Marissa Gilbert (Associate Director, US Reports, Health and Wellness)

In this episode, we discuss trending diets with specialised nutritionist Rick Miller to glean his insights on the science behind certain food fads, why they are so popular, and whether or not they are a smart nutritional decision for consumers to make. Wondering if keto, intermittent fasting, or gut health supplements are the way to go? Maybe matcha tea or the werewolf diet are better suited? Find out if you're on a path to nutritional health and balance or doomed to fall off the fad diet wagon.

Host: Edward Bergen (Global Food and Drink Analyst)

Guest: Rick Miller (Associate Director, Specialised Nutrition)

To kick-off season two, we're turning the spotlight on ourselves with a discussion about the business of insights. Joined by experts in data science, data analytics, research methodology, and consumer behaviour, host Andrew Davidson explores the evolution of consumer research (including the role that technology plays), and what the future holds. From the importance of cultivating a curiosity for human behaviour to data visualisation and storytelling, join us to learn about the state of the insights industry.

Host: Andrew Davidson (SVP/Chief Insights Officer)

Guests: Toby Clark (Director of Research, EMEA)

Mark Brechin (Global Director of Consumer Research and Data Analytics)

Ben Korallus (Head of Data Science and Analytics, Mintel Futures)

The much-anticipated release of Mintel Little Conversation season two is just around the corner. Interested to discover what consumer quarks we'll investigate next? Anxious to hear our experts' opinions on the staying-power of current trends? Are you dying to know what brands, products, and services are winning, which are losing, and what innovations are set to revolutionise consumerism as we know it? Today, host Sam Dover gives you a sneak peek of some of the topics our experts are diving into this season. Stay tuned for the official launch of season two on 17 March!

Host: Samantha Dover, Senior Beauty and Personal Care Analyst, UK

In the final episode of Little Conversation season one, we are unwrapping some of the major trends this holiday season, including nostalgia and veganism. Whether it's through holiday cards, advent calendars, or aided by modern technology, nostalgia offers innovative ways to connect with consumers during the festive holiday season. Growing in popularity in recent years, 'Vegan Christmas' will see more vegan food on the table and vegan gifts under the tree than ever before. Finally, we end the year with a discussion about what's top of mind for our hosts in 2020. Happy holidays, from Mintel Little Conversation!

Host: Edward Bergen (Global Food and Drink Analyst)

Guest: Andrew McDougall (Associate Director, Beauty and Personal Care), Samantha Dover (Senior Retail Analyst, UK),

Dana Macke (Associate Director of Lifestyles and Leisure, US),

Andrew Davidson (SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia)

In this episode, three Mintel analysts review their predictions for Black Friday/Cyber Monday and discuss how the holiday shopping event has evolved over the years in the US and UK. Did the promotional period creep from days to weeks? Did some retailers reject hyper consumerism messaging in favour of promoting sustainability initiatives? What role did loyalty and repeat purchase programs play? Find out how their predictions fared and what brands won in the end.

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

Guest: Alexis DeSalva (Senior Retail and eCommerce Analyst, US),

Nick Carroll (Associate Director of Retail, UK),

Lierin Ehmke (Senior Digital Marketing Analyst, US)

Today, we're unpacking Mintel's newly released 2030 Global Beauty and Personal Care Trends. Whether you're a beauty junkie or curious about how the world will look in 10 years, this episode gives you serious food for thought. Navigating between science and nature, connection and disconnection, cultural shifts will require beauty and personal care brands, manufacturers and retailers to be more proactive than ever to stand out and remain relevant. And while developments in neuromarketing, biotechnology and artificial intelligence will change the way we shop, an intrinsic need for authenticity and transparency will determine success across categories.

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

Guest: Sarah Jindal (Senior Global Analyst, Mintel Beauty & Personal Care), Sharon Kwek (Associate Director, Beauty and Personal Care)

Introducing Mintel's 2030 Global Consumer Trends! Today, we're taking a closer look at the 7 Drivers and how they will impact consumer behaviour over the next 10 years: wellbeing, surroundings, technology, rights, identity, value, and experiences. It's not (ony) about predicting the future, but anticipating what will matter to consumers in the next one, five and 10 years, from their individual needs to their hopes, concerns, and expectations.

Host: Samantha Dover (Senior Research Analyst, UK)

Guest: Simon Moriarty (EMEA Director of Mintel Trends),

Gabrielle Lieberman (Director of Trends and Social Media Research, Americas), Matthew Crabbe (Regional Trends Director, Asia-Pacific)

Today, we talk about purchase decision making or, more simply, the complicated process consumers go through before parting with their hard-earned cash. As companies go bust and in-store footfall declines, it may be tempting to declare the death of the high street/main street. The truth is, consumers are simply changing the way they approach shopping. Online and offline practices are more fluid than ever, while factors like social media, direct-to-consumer brands, and data-driven marketing contribute to further disruption. Join our analysts for an insight-packed conversation encompassing decision fatigue, the redefinition of value, and the impact of ethical practices and sustainability.

Host: Samantha Dover (Senior Retail Analyst, UK)

Guest: Carol Wong-Li (Associate Director of Lifestyles and Leisure, Canada), Diana Kelter (Senior Trend Analyst, US),

Jane Hurh (Senior Analyst, Mintel Purchase Intelligence)

It may be hard to believe, but there was a time when avocados were called 'alligator pears'. It wasn't until 1915 that it was officially rebranded as avocado, which led to its commercial success. In today's episode, we're talking about the language of food and exploring how words can change the way products are perceived by consumers, even impacting sales and legislation. As an array of start-ups launch innovative food and drink products created with boundary-pushing scientific processes, they are coming up with an entirely new vocabulary. But how do brands entice consumers and ensure they understand what they are buying?

Host: Edward Bergen (Global Food and Drink Analyst)

Guest: Emma Allman (Junior Food Analyst),

Kate Vlietstra (Global Food and Drink Analyst)