As we head into the new year, it’s important to look back and see what events occurred that will lead us into future trends. Trendwatching.com has compiled a fantastic report on important consumer trends that will take center stage in 2008.
Items like the iPhone has created a revolution about “status spheres”. It’s all about lifestyle and having the latest. But, there are many different kinds of spheres, according to Trendwatching.com, high net work individuals increased 8.3% this year creating more disposable income and more of a market for premium products (like $17,000 pacifiers). These people make up we we call the “traditional” status sphere. Then there’s the online sphere which is all about online presence and status or the eco sphere which includes people trying to greenify their lives.
This ties in with the next trend for 2008: Premiumization — making any product into something even more, like high-end $20 bottles of Evian water. It’s about catering to the rich and making those in debt, poorer, on the road to nowhere with transporte de carros.
Just when I think I have seen it all, I come across a new online company. Brilliant!More trends to bloom in ‘08: Need for instant gratification, obsession with the web, narrower–more local–social networks, ecommerce solution, eco-awareness, and make-it-yourself and personalized products.
Read the full trend briefing here.
