Signals

San Francisco, US – The luxury hotel group has announced plans to open 20 private residences in California’s Napa Valley, a scenic destination known for its hillside vineyards.

By owning one of Four Seasons’ branded homes, residents will have access to a fully operational winery and vineyard. Through an immersive experience led by acclaimed winemaker Thomas Brown, they will be able to participate in the wine-making process, from harvesting and fermentation to bottling. In addition, each residence villa will include a private wine cellar.

Four Seasons has been building branded residences for nearly three decades, but the Napa Valley complex merges hospitality and craft to create a memorable luxury experience. Elsewhere, in an effort to become lifestyle brands, alcohol companies are increasingly entering the hospitality arena, providing exclusive and often social experiences for guests. For more, explore our Bed and Beverages microtrend.

US – Having recently added blank heart-shaped spaces to its snack bar packaging, on which parents and carers can write short notes of endearment for their children, Rice Krispies has teamed up with the National Federation of the Blind to create more inclusive packaging for children with visual impairments.

The brand has introduced a set of eight heart-shaped Braille stickers that let parents share positive messages with blind or visually impaired children. The stickers include messages of encouragement such as ‘you've got this’, ‘you're a star’ and ‘love you lots’, which parents can stick to the wrapper of Rice Krispies bars. The company has also created box packaging that features a small recording device for children that have trouble reading Braille or those that are auditory learners.

Brands are beginning to understand that the packaging of products must be as inclusive and user-friendly as the products themselves. Consequently, they are thinking more creatively about design and packaging for all. For more, read our recent opinion piece here.

A recent report published by Bank of America explores employers’ and employees’ attitudes to financial wellness, revealing that a sizeable percentage of women (47%) saying they are less than financially well compared to 29% of men. Furthermore, women express more fear about key financial concerns than men, with 71% worried about running out of money during retirement, 61% concerned they will have to work longer than planned, and 57% worried about being able to pay for their children’s education.

While some businesses are becoming aware of how women’s approach to finance differs from men, many more have the opportunity to support women by developing a financial landscape that works for women, starting with the promotion of gender diversity across the workforce.