In the ever-evolving landscape of societal consciousness, sustainable living has become a focal point for industry leaders. Recognised as a thriving topic, the sustainable home is emerging as a crucial element in addressing resource scarcity and mitigating the negative impacts of resource scarcity and climate change on consumers’ quality of life. This article explores the imperative of sustainable homes, the challenges they face, and the opportunities they present in the context of a rapidly changing world.
Consumer tolerance for knowing we are trading down to receive low quality as well as low prices has collapsed, with frugal shoppers falling out of love with disposable consumption, rewarding longer lasting and more durable products. Investments in materials, coatings and treatments that increase the service life are visible in food storage, cutlery and glassware. This comes at a time when inflated dishwasher usage due to hybrid work patterns is visibly harming failure rates for homewares.
Taking care of a pet is going beyond nutrition and calorific intake. A more holistic approach is being applied in managing a pet’s health with attention being paid to longevity and quality of life. Beyond pet food, it is pet dietary supplements that are enabling pet owners not just to manage health issues but to enhance their pet’s overall health and wellbeing.
Despite growth and innovation across pet care, global supply chains continue to grapple with instability. Faced by climate change, labour shortages, political tensions, and more, key players across pet care are seen expanding domestic manufacturing capabilities. Expansion efforts however, fuel competitive landscapes, with industry giants scooping up facilities previously key to private label production. Consequently, private label manufacturers will face challenges meeting demand.
Gardening is more popular than ever, experiencing a renaissance over the pandemic and becoming more interesting for investment and broader export opportunities. Three trends drive gardening spend priorities. Lawn space has been giving way to growing space. Compost sales indicate regional priority gaps between the rise of growing-your-own food versus decorative plants. Peat-free claims and innovation grow, because global compost leaders face strict UK regulation in their home market.
The human-pet bond has been evolving over the years. From simply being viewed as guard animals to now being considered as family members, companion pets have come a long way in their relationship with humans. The pandemic further improved this bond. While pets helped in combating loneliness and isolation, pet owners started paying more attention to the health, wellness and wellbeing of their furry, feathery or even scaly companions.