Top 10 Trends for 2010 (thus far)
09 June 2010
Sales Tip 9th June 2010
Top 10 Trends for 2010 (thus far)
Time to read this section about 2 minutes, time well spent
At RepHub, we keep a very close eye on overseas trends and how they might influence business here in NZ, and how we can help your business capitalise on being the first of your competitors to use these trends to increase sales.
Here is the Top 10* as Trendwatching.com see's it:
1. Business as unusual
2. Urbany
3. Real-time reviews
4. (F)luxury
5. Mass mingling
6. Eco-easy
7. Tracking & alerting
8. Embedded generosity
9. Profile myning
10. Maturialism
Business as unusual
This is nothing new to business, the Virgin's, Google's and Saatchi & Saatchi's of this world to know businesses that are prepared to be bold and different will stand out. Consumers preferences and desires are ever changing, so naturally businesses that are seen to change in todays more diverse, chaotic, networked society will attract more consumers who identify with these brands.
Urbany
For the first time in humanity in 2008 the world's urban population accounted for over 50% of the world's total population. This trend however has a new sub-trend, which is one for businesses to use and capitalise on, Urban Pride.
Real-time reviews
When I was talking with Andy Lark (Marketing Director of Dell Computers) in February this year, who was telling me they saw a rise in sales with every positive review of their products. Naturally, he was all over it and made sure Dell was both pro-active about getting customers to post positive reviews and reactive to negative reviews (both of Dell and their competitors).
(F)luxury
A luxury product is not just forever fluctuating, but it is also whatever you want luxury to be. Don't limit your thoughts just too biggest or most expensive. Luxury can also be most Eco-friendly, limited editions, providing access, time with loved ones, perks, craft etc. How can you position some of your products or brands as being luxury brands?
Mass mingling
Although in its infancy here in NZ, this trend is now gaining popularity as both Social Networks and mobile users are able to organise and execute Mass mingling anywhere, quickly, with minimal expense, in mediums that all users are now familiar with.
Eco-easy
Eco sustainability is now a major trend. Whether by consumer demand or forced by legislation, all companies must incorporate Eco-easy products and services (email rather than print reports) for customers to chose.
Tracking & alerting
Consumers are desperate for information (Trend Infolust), which makes Tracking & alerting the new searching. It saves consumers time, makes it impossible to forget or miss out, and thus ultimately gives them yet another level of control. Fuel prices, flights, pizza specials are already but a few already tracked & alerted. Alerting, when done well, is the ultimate in Infolust: relevant information finding consumers!
Embedded generosity
Big in 2009 this is getting bigger in 2010. It's been going for a while in NZ with McDonalds Ronald McDonald house, and Farmers offer adding $1 to your bill for various charities. It's all about making giving painless and automatic. "Purchase this and we'll donate..."
Profile myning
We're not talking about companies mining consumers online profiles to make a sale, we're talking about services protecting online profiles, services using online profile information and representing consumers interests. Services that protect, store and in-case of death, hand-over ones online presence.
Maturialism
Now for NZ's award winning trend! Let's face it: this year will be rawer, more opinionated, more risqué, more in your face than ever before. Your audiences (who are by now thoroughly exposed to, well, anything, for which you can thank first and foremost the anything-goes online universe) can handle much more quirkiness, more daring innovations, more risqué communications and conversations, more exotic flavours and so on than traditional marketers could have ever dreamed of. In short; audiences in mature consumer societies no longer tolerate being treated like yesteryear's uninformed, easily shocked, inexperienced, middle-of-the-road consumer. Air New Zealand won awards for its risqué advertisements showing staff in nothing more than body paint...this gained international media attention and is still circulating on the internet and YouTube. Afraid to offend and even lose some customers when jumping on the Maturialism wagon this year? Just think of those future, less-uptight generations you'll definitely lose if you don't!
So these are the major trends so far this year, how is your business keeping up?
*Source: www.trendwatching.com. One of the world's leading trend firms, trendwatching.com sends out its free, monthly Trend Briefings to more than 160,000 subscribers worldwide.
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