Some trends are here for a moment, until preferences change or something new takes hold. Others have real staying power, evolving into cultural shifts that fundamentally influence how people behave, what they value, and where they spend their money.
But what’s the point of following “trends”?
Many people have an aversion to the concept of “following trends.” They wish to avoid being caught up in something that is a fad, and rightly so. Reacting to trends without carefully considering if it is right for your concept or brand is shortsighted. But being early to understand what is generating interest is an important part of a creative process. Operators must translate trend insights into experiences that drive relevance - and relevance drives revenue.
Sometimes, however, trends reach a tipping point, evolving from something new and exciting into something consumers expect. Then it becomes the price of admission to the consideration set.
And that’s where not paying attention to trends becomes something much more consequential for hospitality brands.
With our partners at af&co, we just released our 19th Annual Hospitality Trends Report. So today, we’re taking a look back at five trends we called in previous years that we’ve watched grow from a spark into having lasting influence.
Sign up for one of upcoming livestream presentations of the 19th Annual Hospitality Trends Report to find out what’s coming next.
