last word
2009 Consumer Trends
By Tara Rosenzweig
Trendwatching.com has determined six big consumer trends we'll see in 2009. Think of ways you can apply them to your business, whether through a new product or service, the way you relate to your customers, or how you market your business.
1. NICHETRIBUTES
These are attributes or features given to existing products to make them more practical for certain groups. Nichetributes show that a brand understands and cares about that particular group's needs. An example: Dots gloves, which have metal fingertip dots that won't scratch touch screen devices such as iPhones.
2. LUXYOURY
Luxury and scarcity usually go hand in hand, and in 2009 "scarcity is in the eye of the beholder, especially beholders who are desperately trying to be unique," according to Trendwatching.com. Anything that is too affordable, too accessible, or too common is not a luxury. Businesses should look for something different, determine the right audience, and turn it into the next big thing.
3. FEEDBACK 3.0
This is the growing phenomenon characterized by companies not simply observing feedback from their customers online, but actually joining in the conversation, providing solutions, apologies, and even soliciting product ideas from consumers. Examples include My Starbucks Idea (www.mystarbucksidea.com) and Dell Ideastorm (www.dellideastorm.com).
4. ECONCIERGE
An Econcierge is a company that, in any way, helps consumers go green. Because going green often means saving money, this year will be an especially good one for those who can help others with their greening efforts.
5. MAPMANIA
The phenomenon of map-based tracking, finding, and connecting with people and places is exploding. Location-based social networking sites like BrightKite.com and Loopt.com are growing in popularity and brands are partnering with location-based widget providers like Where.com, which helps users find anything and everything nearby.
6. HAPPY ENDING
There's a silver lining in the current economic downturn: Businesses have the chance to show customers that they really care, and they'll also have an opportunity to be creative and innovative as they adapt to smaller budgets. In addition, retailers can win customers over by helping them find less expensive options for the products and services they desire and think they can't afford. EB
| RETAIL Predictions |
|---|
| These are a few retail trends you can expect to see in 2009, according to Stores magazine. CONSERVATIVE SPLURGING Shoppers will have a new outlook on spending. They may still splurge on a luxury item, but they'll do it once a year instead of several times. TRADING DOWN This year, consumers will be choosing lower-price versions of expensive items instead of sacrificing them completely. SMALL INDULGENCES Although consumers are watching their credit card use, they will start shopping for small indulgences by mid-year as they get used to the "new normal." INSTANT GRATIFICATION. As inventories dwindle and items become scarce, consumers will buy as soon as they see something they want rather than wait for a sale. |
![]({"src":"/media/ul2bfdmd/image-not-available.png","focalPoint":null,"crops":[{"alias":"thumbnail","width":1110,"height":700,"coordinates":null}]})