We have officially reached the month of September as almost half of a year passed with a global pandemic. We have gone through several phases including the mania phase where we hoarded masks, sanitizers and food supplies. Then comes the "obedient" phase in which the majority follows strict large-scale social restrictions. During this pandemic, most of our time is spent at home. Currently, we are entering a transitional phase where activities, businesses and recreation areas have been gradually allowed to be back in operations.
This pandemic has changed the world in such a way where a trend has emerged that is expected to last for a long time. In general, the trends we see during this pandemic rely on four main pillars, which include virtual lifestyle, home-oriented items or activities, wellness and kindness economy. First, we have become more dependent on virtual assistance since more time is spent online from work, study and shopping. This has led to the emergence of new trends on online. Online products trending during the pandemic include application (Tiktok), games (Animal Crossing), challenges on social media (Untiltomorrow), until new practices such as virtual photoshoot.
Even the current culinary trends are also influenced by online realities. Many F&B items have been popular lately and were first introduced through social media such as Instagram and TikTok such as Dalgona coffee and Korean garlic cheese bread. When it comes to food, many of these F&B trends encourage people to be more creative in making their own food. This separates us from the next pillar of the trend, namely home-oriented items or activities. Since the pandemic we have seen a lot of friends turn into master chefs or bakers. More time spent at home makes people need to start looking for activities that can be done at home such as cooking, planting, home decorating as well as making ikat dye crafts are some of the most popular.
Furthermore, this pandemic forces people to be more aware of maintaining health and fitness. The topic of wellness has become a mainstay in recent months. Healthier lifestyles and more nutritious food choices are becoming more popular as people strive to maintain and improve their health and immune systems. A healthy diet can help prevent disease and make recovery easier. Since the pandemic began, the natural products industry has gained more than 15 million new customers. In addition, people are increasingly interested in mediating and exercising at home.
Finally, we are introduced to the concept of a 'kindness economy' where consumers are more aware of how businesses treat workers and the planet. This is not just a trend but also a change in mindset. In addition, there is a growing desire to shop for local products as a form of support to get through this difficult time.
Even though these trends may be born out of a pandemic, they will continue to affect the industry in the future. One thing is for sure; this pandemic will not leave our world in the same condition as before. Keep up the trends that are good for us and keep innovating to make it even better.
Over the past approximately 6 months, we have watched many things went viral. Below is some list of the most talk about topics/ items in each month
March: Dalgona Coffee
April: Animal Crossing
May: Planting
June: Garlic Cheese Breed
July: Loungewear
August: Drive in cinema
Bibliography:
The trends of a modern pandemic — The Finery Report. (2020). Retrieved 13 September 2020, from https://www.thefineryreport.com/articles/2020/9/4/the-trends-of-a-modern-pandemic
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