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Episode 45: Beauty behaviours during lockdown Jul 06, 2020

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As consumers look for ways to spend their time stuck at home during the pandemic, beauty routines have been a focus for some. From advancing their skincare routine to giving themselves a haircut due to closed salons, consumers have taken their beauty and personal care into their own hands. In this episode, our beauty experts in the UK discuss how consumer behaviours and purchases have changed due to the pandemic and what brands can do moving forward past the lockdown stage.

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

Guests: Lucy Cornford (BPC Content Manager, EMEA),

Alex Fisher (Associate Director, Beauty & Personal Care),

Margaux Caron (Global Beauty Analyst)

Episode 44: What does the future hold for food and drink startups? Jun 29, 2020

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On this week’s episode, Mintel analysts sit down to discuss the current food and drink startup landscape. With the global pandemic creating major shifts in consumer behaviours and buying habits, is there still a focus on new experiences when it comes to food and drink or are consumers looking for familiarity and comfort - and how is that playing out across various food and drink sectors, the use of flavours and ingredients, and brand preference? There is no doubt that it is a challenging time for food and drink startups and small businesses, but there are also key opportunities in the short, medium, and long term with consumer behaviour at the core of future potential.

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

Guests: Caleb Bryant (Associate Director, Food and Drink, Mintel Reports US),

Emma Allmann (Junior Analyst, Mintel Disruptor),

Jack Duckett (Associate Director, Consumer Lifestyles, Mintel Reports UK)

Episode 43: 2030 Global Household Care Trends: Changes over the next 10 years Jun 22, 2020

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How we clean and care for our homes have taken on new meanings following the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially changing behaviours forever. In this episode, Mintel household analysts discuss the 2030 Global Household Care Trends - released at the start of 2020 - specifically looking at if and how the crisis is accelerating their predictions. And, while we have them, we ask their opinions on some innovative new household care products, including a device that turns tap water into a disinfectant, self-cleaning surfaces, and a cleaning product with just nine, simple ingredients.

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

Guests: Jamie Rosenberg (Senior Global Analyst),

Rebecca Cullen (Senior Household Care Analyst, US),

Richard Hopping (Global Household Analyst)

Episode 42: The Black Lives Matter movement: Why consumers want brands to speak out Jun 17, 2020

Show notes

The evolution of the brand-consumer relationship is gaining momentum. Brands ask a lot of consumers, who, increasingly, are demanding more in return. Following the death of George Floyd in May 2020, brands were compelled to make statements admonishing racism and supporting racial justice. However, consumers want more than words. In this episode, Mintel experts in the fields of consumer behaviour, culture, trends, and lifestyles analyse what accountability, authenticity, and honesty mean for today's brand-consumer relationship, how it evolves within cancel culture, and what brands must consider when speaking up. In a world where public image is meticulously crafted, words are good, but action is what's important. If brands can't afford to be static, but can only be reactive for so long, the question remains: what's next? [Disclaimer: This episode was recorded June 12, 20202; since then Starbucks has reversed its decision to allow employees to wear Black Lives Matter apparel.]

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

Guests: Toya Mitchell (Senior Multicultural Analyst, Mintel Reports US),

Lisa Dubina (Senior Analyst, Mintel Reports US, Culture and Identity),

Alex Milinazzo (Trends Analyst),

Jeannette Ornelas (Senior Digital Marketing Analyst, Comperemedia)

Episode 41: What is the future of work? Jun 08, 2020

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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)

Episode 40: Social isolation trends: DIY beauty and fashion Jun 01, 2020

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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)

Episode 39: Frictionless retail: How brands are removing barriers on the path to purchase May 26, 2020

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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)

Episode 38: Innovation battle: Our favourite food and drink products launched in 2019 May 18, 2020

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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)

Episode 37: Department stores: Do they have a place in the future of retail? May 11, 2020

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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)

Episode 36: Podcasts: why we listen and how the channel is evolving for marketers May 04, 2020

Show notes

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)

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