7 Trends That Shaped 2022
As the year draws to a close and consumers brace themselves for everything that the new year will bring, we thought we would refresh your minds with the 7 Big Things that defined 2022.
From the way consumers shopped, to the perfumes they chose and the clothes they wore - there was a paradigm shift that saw the blurring of gender lines, generational differences and the distinction between the real and hyperreal world.
1. Nootropics got normalised
As the fears of the pandemic weaned off and several individuals stepped back into physical workplaces, there was an increased desire to find supplements that could support cognitive function in a non-invasive way. Seeking out practices and products that could aid them in their quest for self-optimisation, consumers gravitated towards non-alcoholic beverages that improved focus, memory and kept them refreshed and alert.
We saw the rise and mainstream acceptance of brands like Kin Euphorics & and Aplos that came with the promise of enhancing clarity, stimulating creativity and unlocking brain power beyond a caffeine rush.
2. Metatherapy helped many
As several individuals saw a decline in their mental health following the pandemic, Virtual Reality (VR) paved the way for easy, accessible emotional support online. Providing consumers with an immersive experience that motivated and encouraged patients to get the most from the therapy sessions, this form of therapy was especially beneficial to treat social anxiety which became more rampant as consumers stayed home during the pandemic. More personal and realistic than those offered online, therapy in controlled VR environments also helped several individuals treat phobias, depression and pain.
3. Slugging kept skin hydrated
As individuals looked for ways to keep their skin hydrated, healed, soft and smooth, many individuals adopted this Korean skincare by specifically applying petroleum jelly to their face overnight to prevent dryness - which created a barrier to prevent water from leaving the skin. 2022 saw nearly 500 million views of videos featuring this skincare trick with the hashtag #slugging. As several individuals tried it and reported positive after-effects like more hydrated, radiant skin - the trend shaped skincare in 2022.
The more adventurous folk took the trend further by going back to roots of the trend - which involved applying snail mucin (A.KA mucus secreted by snails) onto their skin. This boosted collaged production and hydrated the skin in ways never seen before.
4. Women got Dolled Up
As Generation Z looked to the 90s and early 2000s for aesthetic inspiration, many found something to enjoy in the Y2K resurgence of fashion and accessories from their
childhood. Evoking a sense of familiarity and nostalgia, many high-end fashion labels referenced or reintroduced girly and childish themes from the 2000s. Which included pink barbie-themed accessories, micro-miniskirts, velour tracksuits, and dresses that were very reminiscent of the Bratz era.
5. Social Stores saved retail
As consumers began to crave physical shopping experiences following a period driven by online-only, retailers were forced to think of their brick and mortar spaces more holistically and find new ways to lure customers back into their stores.
Bridging the gap between the physical world and social media, 2022 saw the birth of Social Stores that reimagined physical retail spaces as we knew them. By creating a hydrid, personalised purchasing experience that seamlessly combined online and offline elements - these stores took online social interactions offline and enabled users to take their own communities into stores. By selling products through social media channels and tangible environments, the approach targeted the digital native’s need for a seamless experience that was both immersive and inclusive.
6. Zoomers became Scent-sitive
As Gen-Z led the charge in gender fluidity and they searched for new ways to express themselves freely devoid of social constructs, gendered perfumes took a backseat as unisex fragrances came to the forefront. Contradicting the Millennial obsession with luxury or rather ‘perceived luxury’, they dismissed sexist, misogynistic, legacy fragrance brands that were ‘stuck in time’, and instead chose scents that didn’t specify a gender and could be used by everyone.
Gender-neutral fragrance brands like Byredo doubled their sales between 2021 & 2022 as their chic and minimal packaging combined with fresh, inclusive scents it made it an uber-cool must have fragrance brand.
7. Everyone chose a Pink-Tinted Lifestyle
In 2022, pink was seen everywhere from clothing and accessories to food and home decor. As consumers seeked out bright and energetic colours that signified hope and optimism, the bold colour featured heavily on makeup containers, food packaging and even in healthcare and pharmaceutical products.
Connoting a sense of freshness, vitality and electricity which was the overall mood of 2022 - the colour became deeply embedded in the global psyche and whether consumers loved it or hated it, there was no escape.
Retail data revealed that consumers chose pink more in 2022 than ever before and over 404.9 million videos were seen with the #hotpink hashtag on TikTok, and over 35.3 million videos with the #Barbiecore hashtag (which was another word that was used to describe the consumer obsession with pink).
So there you have it - the 7 trends that shaped 2022. If you think we’ve missed out any, please feel free to write to us directly. From all of us at The Foresight Forum, we would like to wish you and your families a very happy new year. All the best for the year ahead, and see you on the other side 🚀.
The Next Big Thing 🚀
Like our content and want to apply this to your business? We can tailor make trend reports and consulting reports to suit your new or existing business needs.
Save yourself, months of researching, testing and time, and get access to our trend insights months before they happen.
Reach out now for a free consultation and find out how we can help you build the next big thing in your business.
If you liked this email from The Foresight Forum, why not share it?
We want to hear from you!
Reply to this email to tell us what you’d like to read more about.
Thanks for reading The Foresight Forum! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.
Thanks for reading The Foresight Forum! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.