Need to Know   10 : 01 : 18
UV Sense by L'Oréal, Las Vegas

Need to Know
10 : 01 : 18

Biofit’s biophilic spaces to promote wellbeing, Moët Hennessy educates would-be champagne connoisseurs on Alexa, JD.com’s technology-enabled grocery stores.

1. CES 2018: L’Oréal launches a wearable UV sensor 2. Biofit explores the impact that biophilic design has on wellbeing 3. Amazon Alexa’s new skill offers tutorials about champagne 4. JD.com follows Alibaba in moving into physical grocery retail 5. Dry January gains in popularity as people embrace sobriety 6. Thought-starter: How can dating brands re-ignite the spark?

1. CES 2018: L’Oréal launches a wearable UV sensor

UV Sense by L’Oréal, Las Vegas UV Sense by L’Oréal, Las Vegas
UV Sense by L’Oréal, Las Vegas UV Sense by L’Oréal, Las Vegas
UV Sense by L’Oréal, Las Vegas UV Sense by L’Oréal, Las Vegas
UV Sense by L’Oréal, Las Vegas UV Sense by L’Oréal, Las Vegas

Las Vegas – Two years after L’Oréal launched My UV Patch at CES, the beauty brand’s Technology Incubator has now developed a battery-free wearable sensor that monitors an individual’s UV exposure.

At less than 2mm thick and only 9mm wide, the UV Sense is designed to be worn on the thumbnail and can store three months of data. Using NFC technology, the data is transmitted to an accompanying smartphone app, which tracks UV exposure, measures specific activities and makes recommendations on when to take shade or apply sun protection.

The sensor was designed in partnership with Yves Béhar’s Fuseproject studio, which worked to create a wearable that wasn’t a distraction but integrated into the body. ‘We didn’t want you to think of it as a product, but rather as an ornament,’ says Béhar. ‘We want it to be something that you want to wear, that you don’t have to think about charging or where it is – it accompanies you throughout your day.’

For more on UV Sense and the future of connected beauty, look out for our forthcoming full interview with Yves Béhar and Guive Balooch, global vice-president of L’Oréal’s Technology Incubator. Stay in the know with more on-the-ground reporting from CES in the News section.

2. Biofit explores the impact that biophilic design has on wellbeing

The Wardian Case by Biofit Health & Wellness and EcoWorld Ballymore, London The Wardian Case by Biofit Health & Wellness and EcoWorld Ballymore, London

London – Biofit Health & Wellness is continuing its exploration of the physical and psychological benefits of biophilia, extending beyond fitness and into the workspace. A collaboration with property developer EcoWorld Ballymore, the project will incorporate air purifying plants, circadian lighting and forest aromatherapy to help boost mood and mental clarity, while helping to reduce stress levels. Visitors to the space will be asked to fill out a short questionnaire before and after visiting, which will inform research being carried out by scientists from the University of Essex.

‘There is a growing body of evidence around the health benefits of exposure to nature,’ founder Matt Morley tells LS:N Global. ‘Our intention is to deliver at least one key piece of research each year to support the cause of healthy, biophilic design.’

As explored in our Wellness Architecture market, the importance of architecture that promotes wellbeing is increasingly being recognised across sectors as wellness becomes an integral part of everyday life.

3. Amazon Alexa’s new skill offers tutorials about champagne

New York – Moët Hennessy USA has launched a skill for Amazon’s personal assistant Alexa. Named Bottles and Bubbles, the skill aims to teach consumers more about drinking champagne at home.

Users can interact with Alexa to get recommendations for champagne pairings alongside a Champagne 101 course that offers basic knowledge around the sparkling wine and information about Moët Hennessy’s specific offerings. Alexa will also recommend dates where popping open a bottle of champagne might be appropriate.

Brands are still in the experimentation phase when it comes to tapping into the potential of both Google Home and Amazon Alexa. But it is clear that tuition is an area where the Voice Retail Market is coming into its own.

Bottles and Bubbles by Moët Hennessy Bottles and Bubbles by Moët Hennessy

4. JD.com follows Alibaba in moving into physical grocery retail

7Fresh by Alibaba, Beijing 7Fresh by Alibaba, Beijing
7Fresh by Alibaba, Beijing 7Fresh by Alibaba, Beijing

Beijing – The online retailer has opened its first premium grocery store, 7Fresh. Following Alibaba’s move into bricks-and-mortar grocery with its Hema brand, 7Fresh will similarly combine the lessons learned in online retail with offline.

7Fresh enables customers to shop and pay via a mobile app to complement its in-store browsing. The store also has smart shopping trolleys that can guide shoppers to their desired aisle to get the food they are looking for.

A partner of Walmart, JD.com believes that its control of its supply chain will differentiate it from Alibaba’s Hema stores. Alongside integrating technology along every step of the path to purchase, 7Fresh is focused on premium groceries to cater for growing middle class tastes, offering imported foods such as meat from Australia and Iberico ham from Spain.

5. Dry January gains in popularity as people embrace sobriety

More people than ever are choosing to abstain from drinking during the first month of the year. The Dry January campaign was first launched in 2014 by Public Health England to raise awareness of drinking habits.

Since its inception it has helped to facilitate a more mindful approach to alcohol throughout the year, a behaviour that LS:N Global noted emerging in our Party-totallers tribe. ‘Dry January is growing year-on-year as more people across the country decide to take control of their drinking and reap the benefits, both in how they feel now and for their future health,’ says Richard Piper, CEO of Alcohol Concern.

6. Thought-starter: How can dating brands re-ignite the spark?

With consumers ditching dating apps in favour of meeting in real life (IRL), foresight writer Rhiannon McGregor examines how matchmaking brands can re-ignite people’s passion for these services.

Evidence suggests that younger consumers are increasingly exhausted by the shallow nature of Tinder, with many now believing these matches to be inferior to meeting IRL. ‘Looking for a date on Tinder is like going to the petrol station for dinner at 2:00am bc [sic] everything else is closed’, states one cynical user on Twitter.

So how can dating brands avoid the threat of break-up and re-ignite the spark with consumers? Earlier this week online dating site OKCupid launched its first advertising campaign, Dating Deserves Better, which playfully addresses dating fatigue, with its shrewd take on the popular hook-up acronym Down To Fuck.

Tapping into a Gen Viz mindset of social activism, the campaign is provocative in its use of lines such as Down To Filter Out the Far Right and Down To Fight About the President.

Read the full Opinion piece here.

Dating Deserves Better by Wieden & Kennedy for OKCupid, US Dating Deserves Better by Wieden & Kennedy for OKCupid, US
Discover More News
AirCar readies for launch, ushering in an era of casual air mobility

News

AirCar readies for launch, ushering in an era of casual air mobility

Slovakia’s Klein Vision has announced that its AirCar – a road-legal vehicle that converts into a certified aircraft in under two minutes – will be...
Mobility : Air Travel : Transport
Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

News

Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

Every Friday, The Future Laboratory team offers an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, ...
Foresight Friday : Gen Z : Gen Beta
British Gen Alphas are listening to CDs and vinyl

News

British Gen Alphas are listening to CDs and vinyl

Nearly half of Generation Alpha are turning to physical music formats, according to new research from Key Production.
Gen Alpha : Music : Media
Social media star Kai Cenat launches Streamer University

News

Social media star Kai Cenat launches Streamer University

Twitch sensation Kai Cenat has launched Streamer University, a weekend-long experience for aspiring creators to collaborate, learn and produce cont...
Media : Entertainment : Education
De Beers to close its lab-grown diamond jewellery brand

News

De Beers to close its lab-grown diamond jewellery brand

De Beers Group has announced the closure of Lightbox, its lab-grown diamond jewellery brand, signalling a strategic retreat from the synthetic jewe...
Luxury : Sustainability : Jewellery
Financial mansplaining endures for a majority of British women

News

Financial mansplaining endures for a majority of British women

Gender bias in money matters is pushing British women out of financial conversations, according to new research commissioned by digital wealth mana...
Finance : Diversity : Inclusion
Avanade Intelligent Garden gives trees a voice at Chelsea Flower Show

News

Avanade Intelligent Garden gives trees a voice at Chelsea Flower Show

This year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show invites visitors to interact with AI-enabled trees in the Avanade Intelligent Garden.
Technology : Nature : Sustainability
ITV launches deaf-led drama with BSL and silent ad break

News

ITV launches deaf-led drama with BSL and silent ad break

ITV is pushing the boundaries of inclusive storytelling with the launch of its new prime time drama Code of Silence, starring BAFTA-winning actor a...
Media : Diversity : Inclusion
Stat: Boomerang generation return home due to cost of living crisis

News

Stat: Boomerang generation return home due to cost of living crisis

The rising cost of living and unaffordable housing are fuelling a surge in adult children returning to the family home.
Family : Home : Youth
Manchester City brings grassroots spirit to kit launch

News

Manchester City brings grassroots spirit to kit launch

Manchester City Football Club has marked the launch of its 2025/2026 home kit with a short film that playfully blends football fandom, nostalgia an...
Sports : Design : Creative
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