LSN : News : Need to know 14 : 11 : 17

1. Gossamer caters for the affluent cannabis consumer

Gossamer, US

US – Gossamer is a new lifestyle magazine that explores art and culture, outdoor activities, travel and food through the lens of cannabis. The biannual print magazine will be supplemented by a series of travel guides for cannabis-friendly cities in the US and an interview-based podcast. Co-founded by Verena von Pfetten and David Weiner, Gossamer is aimed at ‘discerning and affluent cannabis consumers’ who enjoy the drug but do not let it dictate their lifestyle.

As LS:N Global explored in our Cannabusiness Market report, the legalisation of cannabis in some US states is opening up new opportunities for brands and driving innovation in the market.

2. Selahatin takes a high-end approach to oral hygiene

Selahatin, London

London – Premium toothpaste brand Selahatin has launched a range of whitening toothpaste products with non-traditional flavour profiles. Comprising three varieties – Amorist, Escapist and Hypnotist – the collection features aromatic ingredients such as cinnamon, orange and star anise. At £13 ($17.50, €15) for one tube of toothpaste, Selahatin is aimed at the luxury market, and each variety contains antioxidants such as betaine and edelweiss extract, which has anti-inflammatory properties.

New luxury brands are offering premium versions of household products with a high-end aesthetic. Read our Luxe Laundry microtrend to find out more.

3. Healthy food delivery service Kitava opens first restaurant

San Francisco – Kitava Kitchen, which specialises in gluten-free, dairy-free and paleo options, has opened its first fast-casual physical location in San Francisco. Tapping into the growing demand for healthy meals, the brand promises nourishing dishes, served in 10 minutes or less. In line with our High-low Dining microtrend, Kitava offers good-quality, locally sourced ingredients at affordable prices, starting at £3.80 ($5, €4.28). The average meal costs £10.67 ($14, €12).

‘There are people walking by our location all the time that haven’t necessarily had access to the food we serve, and we think we can reach a new audience,’ co-owner Bryan Tublin told Eater San Francisco. ‘We want to serve delicious food that’s nourishing for the people – and community – we serve.’

Kitava Kitchen, San Francisco

4. Whisky-Me is an affordable single malt subscription service

Whisky-Me, London

London – The founders of Black Rock, a forward-thinking whisky bar designed to make the spirit more desirable and accessible to all, has launched a monthly subscription service to attract a new generation of whisky aficionados.

A subscription costs £7.95 ($10.40, €8.95) for a month or £84 ($110, €94.50) for a year, and subscribers receive a 5cl pouch of hand-selected malt whisky with an explanation of what the spirit is and where it comes from, allowing people to educate themselves without committing to buying a full bottle.

Whisky-Me is delivered in pouches, which can be conveniently posted through the letterbox without the need for a signature. See our Global Spirits Market report for more on the evolution of the whisky sector.

5. Millennials back low-cost, own-brand food over big-name brands

Price-conscious Millennial consumers are increasingly overlooking big-name brands in favour of more cost-effective own-label options as they search for healthy food at a more affordable price. More than a third (37%) of those surveyed in North America by Mintel said they preferred to buy supermarket own-brand goods, with many saying they believe private-label items are more innovative. In our Accessible Premium microtrend LS:N Global explored how consumers are rejecting the elitism typically associated with healthy food products in favour of a more democratic approach.

6. Thought-starter: Are cult Instagram brands changing beauty?

With Instagram a thriving environment for cult beauty brands, journalist Josh Walker explores how retailers are bringing their niche products and loyal followers to the mainstream.

The combination of Instagram’s pivotal role in the growth of cult beauty brands online and the recent success of physical beauty retail has prompted some large retailers to explore how they can bring cult brands into a physical space.

In September, Forever 21 co-founders Linda and Esther Chang opened Riley Rose for Millennial and Generation Z consumers to buy hard-to-get brands. ‘A lot of our customers find out what products they should be using from Instagram, and we wanted the store to be a place where they can purchase these products,’ Linda Chang tells LS:N Global. Bloomingdale’s Glowhaus concept is another, and features 30 brands popular on social media.

Alongside a focus on bringing Instagram-based brands to physical retail, innovators such as ShopThat, which enables users to buy beauty products by liking an Instagram post, are looking at how they can make consumer social feeds shoppable. It comes at a time when, according to Dana Rebecca Designs, 72% of polled Instagram users say they have made fashion, beauty or style-related purchases after seeing something on the platform.

Read the full market report here.