LSN : News : Stat: Halloween retail to hit record highs, despite tariff concerns

Blackdot’s AI tattoo device aims to make ink safer, smarter and less painful

Blackdot, US

US – Austin-based start-up Blackdot has developed an AI-powered tattoo device designed to make tattoos faster, more precise and significantly less painful than traditional methods.

Rather than replacing tattoo artists, the machine automates the application process using pre-designed artwork. As founder Joel Pennington explains: ‘Blackdot is a tool, not a replacement… it performs the work of a tattooist, but not a tattoo artist.’

A human operator guides the client through placement and preparation, while the device uses image processing algorithms and a digital microscope to adjust needle depth based on skin type and tattoo location. By depositing ink at the junction between the epidermis and the dermis, where there are fewer nerve endings, pain is dramatically reduced. ‘Most clients say our tattoos register as 0/10 to 2/10 on a pain scale,’ says Pennington.

With two machines now in operation at Bang Bang New York and Blackdot’s Austin HQ, the company has completed about 500 tattoos. A third device will be launched next year in partnership with Canadian studio Steel N Ink. Blackdot is also developing a remote guest feature to virtually connect clients with tattoo artists in real time.

Explore our macrotrend report, The Synthocene Era, to unpack more of the innovations and opportunities that lie in this new age of merging human and machine intelligence.

Strategic opportunity

Consider how machine precision can be paired with human creativity in your business to unlock new services, redefine job roles and enhance consumer experience

Heston Blumenthal creates menu for appetite suppressant users

UK – Renowned chef Heston Blumenthal has launched a new tasting menu, The Mindful Experience, tailored for diners taking weight loss and appetite suppressant medications.

Priced at £275 ($370, €315) per head, the menu offers a scaled-back version of Blumenthal’s flagship Journey tasting menu at The Fat Duck while preserving its signature texture and flavour.

‘Millions of people are eating much less food, drinking less, losing interest in restaurants, losing interest even in food,’ says Blumenthal, highlighting how these medications are reshaping consumer behaviour. The chef uses weight loss drugs himself to manage weight gain caused by bipolar medication, giving him first-hand insight into the changing needs of diners.

As noted in LS:N Global’s Neozempic Futures and Weight Loss Market Futures reports, the rise of appetite suppressant use – including drugs such as semaglutide – is transforming industries worldwide, from food service to hospitality.

Consumers are increasingly seeking mindful eating, wellness-focused dining and lower-calorie options, presenting opportunities for chefs and brands to rethink menus, portions and the overall dining experience.

Kebab Queen, London

Strategic opportunity

Design dining and hospitality experiences that support appetite suppressant lifestyles – balancing short-term pleasure with long-term health by offering smaller portions, mindful menus and nutrient-dense options that protect muscle mass and sustain wellbeing

Stat: Halloween retail to hit record highs, despite tariff concerns

Photography by Kristina Paukshtite, Estonia

US – Halloween 2025 is set to beat spending records, with consumers projected to spend £9.7bn ($13.1bn, €11.2bn), according to a report by the National Retail Federation (NRF). This marks a sharp rise from £8.6bn ($11.6bn, €9.9bn) in 2024.

Despite concerns over rising prices linked to tariffs, 73% of consumers plan to celebrate, sustaining last year’s levels. Confectionery remains the most popular purchase, with spending set to hit £2.9bn ($3.9bn, €3.3bn), followed by costumes at £3.2bn ($4.3bn, €3.7bn) and decorations at £3.1bn ($4.2bn, €3.6bn).

Costumes continue to drive cultural trends: 2.3m children will dress as Spider Man, while 5.6m adults will choose a witch outfit.

Discount stores are set to benefit most, with 42% of shoppers seeking out budget-friendly options, up from 37% in 2024.

In our latest Communities report, The Value Vanguard, we identified emotional spending as a new consumer currency. Halloween’s record-breaking spending illustrates how joy, nostalgia and seasonal rituals can drive engagement even amid economic pressure.

Strategic opportunity

Tap into the Halloween economy by creating limited-edition, playful products and campaigns that align with consumers’ appetite for seasonal joy while reinforcing brand presence in peak cultural moments