Daily Signals 13.07.2023

Signals

Sony’s new speakers bring cinematic sound home, Fendi turns to natural materials and most unmarried adults haven’t been on a date in the past month.

Sony’s portable theatre system brings cinematic sound home

Sony HT-AX7, Global
Sony HT-AX7, Global
Sony HT-AX7, Global

Global – In July 2023, Japanese tech behemoth Sony introduced the HT-AX7, a new portable speaker system that can surround users with an immersive cinema-like sound experience. The three-part item includes a speaker and two smaller circular speakers designed to be placed in other corners of your room to create a dome of sound powered by the company’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology already used in Sony’s regular soundbars and headphones.

Connected through wireless Bluetooth and monitored through a smartphone app, the three speakers have a battery life of 30 hours and can be used to listen to music, podcasts and more. Sony has also equipped the system with a handy quick-charge mode that can give users 150 minutes of playback on a 10-minute charge. The HT-AX7 features Sony’s upmixer algorithm, which can transform stereo into three-dimensional surround sound. The speaker body uses a fabric made from 100% recycled PET bottles and incorporates recycled plastics. Available from August 2023, the portable speaker system will retail in the US, the UK and Europe for £499 ($649, €585).

In Quiet Mode, we previously analysed how Sony competitors like Apple and Flare Audio are developing innovative features to help the increasing number of consumers who crave a new kind of quiet and immersive experience that can make them forget the outside world for a while.

Strategic opportunity

As consumers look to augment their movie experience at home by turning any room or terrace into a home cinema with just three small Sony speakers, how can brands, from home design to food and drink, become part of this home ritual?

Kengo Kuma redesigns Fendi accessories with natural materials

Fendi and Kengo Kuma, Global Fendi and Kengo Kuma, Global

Italy – Presenting its spring/summer 2024 menswear collection in June 2023 in the Tuscan countryside, Fendi joined forces with the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma to re-invent some of its accessories and shoes. Iconic pieces were redesigned using waranshi, a hybrid material of cotton and tree bark, traditionally used for origami and lantern-making.

Featured pieces included the Peekaboo bag and the insta-famous Baguette Soft Trunk recreated in the Japanese craft stylewith a more organic and sustainable feel drawing from natural materials. The redesign brought the pieces a raw and imperfect finish while remaining soft and well structured.

To redesign Fendi’s Flow trainers, the architect utilised fabric made using the practice of yatara ami-weaving, traditionally made from bamboo strands for a woven lattice-like effect. ‘I’ve always thought of Kengo Kuma as a master of naturalist architecture,’ said Silvia Venturini Fendi. ‘He was one of the first to understand the importance of building nature into architecture both inside and out.’

In our report on five luxury fashion brands advancing biotechnology, we previously analysed how luxury fashion houses are increasingly recognising the potential of biotechnology and experimenting with biotextiles for a more sustainable future.

Strategic opportunity

Luxury fashion brands should consider how to uplift textile innovators who are on the cusp of changing the industry with a new wave of natural materials, upcycled raw materials and sustainable alternatives

Stat: Romance and dating on the decline in the US

Grind, UK Grind, UK

US – A June 2023 study by romance publisher Harlequin reveals a decline in romance and dating in the US since the pandemic. The research comprised two surveys involving 2,000 unmarried adults and 681 self-identified romance readers and revealed that 46% of unmarried adults are not dating at all, with 30% already in relationships. In addition, 77% of single adults say they have not been on one date in the past month, while 18% have been on one or two dates.

Despite reduced dating activity, the study also shows that 57% of adult respondents believe they can achieve happiness with or without a long-term partner, with women (63%) more likely to agree with that statement than men (51%). Furthermore, 55% associate happiness with surrounding themselves with friends and family.

The study highlights a shift in attitudes to romance and relationships, indicating a broader societal transformation in the perception of happiness and fulfilment. It also suggests an upending of current ideas we have of family, a topic we explore in Family in 2050.

Strategic opportunity

Businesses need to rethink their branding and communications, and consider whether the visual representation of their values aligns with changing societal values and ideas on family, romance and relationships in order to better connect with consumers

Previous Daily Signals Articles
Rosewood leans into modern luxury with refreshed brand identity

Daily Signals

Rosewood leans into modern luxury with refreshed brand identity

Luxury hotel group Rosewood is repositioning itself as a lifestyle and cultural leader, with a focus on storytelling and experiential travel.
Luxury : Hospitality : Rosewood
Foresight Friday: Olivia Houghton, insights and engagement director

Daily Signals

Foresight Friday: Olivia Houghton, insights and engagement director

Every Friday, we offer an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, insights and engagement d...
Culture : Beauty : Fashion
Stat: Study shows decline in social media use among younger adults

Daily Signals

Stat: Study shows decline in social media use among younger adults

Adults are spending less time on social media, following a peak three years ago. By the end of 2024, those aged 16 or older were spending an averag...
Media : Technology : Statistic
Ulta Beauty opens UB Marketplace to 100 emerging brands

Daily Signals

Ulta Beauty opens UB Marketplace to 100 emerging brands

Ulta Beauty has launched UB Marketplace, a new online platform introducing more than 100 emerging beauty and wellness brands to its website and app...
Beauty : Retail : Ecommerce
Travel platform Curated Spaces is powered by trusted tastemakers

Daily Signals

Travel platform Curated Spaces is powered by trusted tastemakers

Travel start-up Curated Spaces has launched a booking platform that puts personal style, trusted recommendations and curated experiences at the hea...
Travel : Hospitality : Digital
Stat: Gen Z women are shaping a new liberal majority in the US

Daily Signals

Stat: Gen Z women are shaping a new liberal majority in the US

New polling highlights a sharp political gender gap within Gen Z, positioning young women as the most liberal demographic in the US, according to a...
Youth : Politics : Gen Z
Heineken transforms Seoul’s rooftops into social sanctuaries

Daily Signals

Heineken transforms Seoul’s rooftops into social sanctuaries

Heineken is transforming Seoul’s empty rooftops into vibrant social spaces as part of a new campaign combatting urban loneliness and removing barri...
Culture : Drink : Loneliness
Feeling introduces transdermal energy patch to combat daily fatigue

Daily Signals

Feeling introduces transdermal energy patch to combat daily fatigue

Manchester-based wellness brand Feeling has launched a transdermal energy patch designed to address persistent fatigue in individuals who maintain ...
Health : Wellness : Supplements
Stat: Gift cards become inflation-era solution for festive shoppers

Daily Signals

Stat: Gift cards become inflation-era solution for festive shoppers

As inflation continues to put pressure on spending, gift cards are set to dominate this year’s festive period in the US. According to Blackhaw...
Retail : Consumer Spending : Inflation
Yōjō harnesses vagus nerve technology for everyday wellbeing

Daily Signals

Yōjō harnesses vagus nerve technology for everyday wellbeing

Yōjō is a new wellness eco-system using non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS), biofeedback and human coaching to help people calm their bodie...
Health : Wellness : Technology
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN