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Edition #4 | Your weekly inspiration fix • 22 - 29 June 2023
TREND DEEP DIVE
GENERATIVE PRACTITIONERS: Next-gen AI chatbots alleviate overburdened health systems

The rise of generative AI has sparked a rapid advancement in AI chatbots, with 2023 seeing a whopping 1,480% YoY surge in apps published that mention 'AI Chat' or 'AI Chatbot' in their names or descriptions. While some chatbots act as virtual pals and others write reports, a new wave of chatbots is emerging to aid overstretched health services worldwide. These chatbots help both patients and practitioners find relevant information through accessible channels and in an empathetic tone of voice. Are you prepared for… read more

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INNOVATION
🇩🇪 By uploading two selfies, Zalando shoppers now get better sizing recommendations
Shopping for clothes online continues to have a major sticking point: sizing. To solve this, online retailer Zalando has introduced a tool that provides size recommendations based on consumers' body measurements. But customers… read more
INNOVATION
🇺🇸 A drug-free approach to adult ADHD, video game EndeavorOTC boosts focus and organization
A few years ago, researchers at Oxford University analyzed people playing Plants vs. Zombies and Animal Crossing and found a (small) positive relation between video game play and well-being. Taking those benefits a step further is Akili… read more
INNOVATION
🇬🇧 Powered by AI, Nous manages household bills to help people save money effortlessly
Most people don't read through every line of their household bills. It's not the most engaging task, the paperwork can be confusing and, well, who has the time? Turns out that AI bots aren't easily bored and will ungrudgingly scan… read more
TREND
CONTACTLESS ECONOMY: Post-COVID, F&B’s robot experiments continue
In a June 2023 study by PYMNTS’ x American Express, 73% of respondents said they'd prefer automation over interacting with staff in at least one area of the restaurant experience. Although we first highlighted the Contactless Customer Journey (on Amplify) during COVID-19 lockdowns, this shows that the demand for low-touch interaction hasn’t disappeared. 

Let's have a look at this journey in today's F&B context:

This isn’t a fleeting trend: it’s an enduring reality. As consumers expect more while desiring (contact)less, the F&B industry should continue delivering — from a distance 😉

Lock-icon Review the full CONTACTLESS ECONOMY trend
INSIGHT
France's repair bonus to slash clothing waste

Recycling by fashion brands may not solve the problem of textile waste, but repairs are a step in the right direction. Encouraging people to have their clothes mended, the French government announced it will provide rebates of EUR 6–25 for repairs to garments and shoes. The initiative is designed to tackle the 700,000 metric tons of clothing that are tossed every year and push back against fast fashion while creating jobs for tailors and cobblers.

It’s time to forge sustainable alliances that connect governments, brands and consumers. Consider using brick-and-mortar stores to make repairs easier and encourage sustainable habits: in Stockholm, Asket is selling revived garments via their Revival Program. Or take an online approach, similar to how IKEA and H&M expanded their resale offerings.

THOUGHT STARTER
From niche to global growth market
For Sony, anime is emerging as a key growth market. Crunchyroll, the group’s popular anime streaming platform, has amassed over 100 million subscribers. Yet another reminder that niche can rapidly become norm. Which niche will you platform?
INSIGHT
Carbon impact app reaches half a million banking customers 🌿📈
Back in 2021, NatWest teamed up with Cogo to help UK customers understand how their day-to-day spending decisions impact the planet. Via the app, users could access real-time information about their environmental footprint and were encouraged to choose more sustainable options. Fast forward to 2023, and over half a million NatWest customers are now accessing Cogo’s carbon impact data. Officially reaching 585,000 active users, uptake grew from 334,500 in the last four months alone. 

Nearly two years ago, we published LABEL-LED, which highlighted the growing demand for evidence-based sustainability initiatives. The slow-burn success of the NatWest x Cogo partnership reveals that the demand for reliable labels remains, while also underscoring that behavioral change takes time. What sustainability-focused initiatives are you launching today that will continue to impact consumers' actions in two years?
Lock-icon Discover 10+ other recent carbon tracking innovations
TREND
Trend hunch: Is TINY-ISM the new minimalism?
In big cities, an array of tiny products are appearing: compact stores, microgyms (first seen in China), tiny forests and micro homes. Even cars are shrinking. Why is small living gaining momentum? Dwindling family sizes, rising energy costs, housing crises and the pressing urgency of climate change are some of the global economic factors propelling this movement forward.

This trend is about more than physical dimensions; it marks a profound shift in the way consumers perceive ownership. Gone are the days of relentless accumulation: 43% of consumers worldwide feel that they have more possessions than they need (EY, February 2023). Instead, people are embracing a new ethos of meaningful consumption, weighing economic considerations against the state of the planet.

As the spirit of ✨TINY-ISM✨ drives consumers towards more compact choices, is your brand ready to offer small solutions with a big impact?
INNOVATION
🇫🇷 Travel platform misterb&b reserves rentals along Pride parade routes for LGBTQ+ seniors
Elderly members of the LGBTQ+ community, who paved the way for gay rights and visibility, can feel left out of the Pride events that summer brings to cities around the world. Welcoming them back into… read more
INNOVATION
🇩🇪 Mililk introduces sheets of oat milk that just need water and 30 seconds in a blender
Can milk be flattened? Yes, says new German brand Mililk, which will soon start shipping its first product: a barista-friendly oat milk that's been 2D printed into sheets. Sleek enough to slide through a mail… read more
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MakeShift is TrendWatching's free bi-weekly trend publication, bringing you the insights and innovations that will inspire you to create with meaning ❤️

Want MakeShift in your inbox? Subscribe now and join 100,000+ other trend enthusiasts!

Keen to access all our trends, insights and innovations? Check out Amplify, our Trend Intelligence Platform 💥

promo
Free trial
Talk to us
Be sure to ping our editor, Galina Yordanov, if you're working on something we should feature on MakeShift.
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