News 15.08.2018

Need to Know

48North promotes the health and wellness benefits of cannabis, ClassPass offers free at-home audio workouts and women are stressed about money.

48North rebrands cannabis for women

48North, Canada. Branding by Blok Design
48North, Canada. Branding by Blok Design
48North, Canada, branding by Blok Design

Canada – The female-led collective has recently launched Latitude, a platform dedicated to women who wish to improve their health and wellbeing with cannabis.

As an increasing number of nations and states begin to legalise cannabis, brands are becoming aware of the need to cater for a more diverse audience. To bring to life 48North’s brand philosophy, Latitude features stories from a variety of women about their use of the plant. Those featured include a business owner who uses cannabis as a balm for her soul and psyche, and a trauma care worker who uses the plant as an act of self-care. By sharing stories from real women, the platform hopes to reduce the stigma and change the conversation surrounding women and cannabis.

In October 2018, to mark the full legalisation of cannabis in Canada, 48North will deliver its second consumer launch with a yet-to-be-announced product designed for recreational use.

Four Seasons launches wine-making at luxury residences

Four Seasons Residences in Napa Valley, San Francisco Four Seasons Residences in Napa Valley, San Francisco
Four Seasons Residences in Napa Valley, San Francisco Four Seasons Residences in Napa Valley, San Francisco

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.

ClassPass introduces free audio workouts

US – Flexible fitness membership program ClassPass has launched a free app that hosts a range of guided audio workouts.

The platform, ClassPass Go, offers a new approach to fitness that can be undertaken at a time best suited to the user. ‘Audio workouts are one of the fastest-growing categories in digital fitness, given the convenience and flexibility,’ says Fritz Lanman, CEO at ClassPass. With more than 500 classes available and more being added each month, the app provides an extensive library of audio content across a variety of fitness genres including running, cycling, yoga and HIIT.

While the app embraces convenience, ClassPass Go is also considerate of wider audiences. In our Inclusive Fitness microtrend, we explore how fitness companies are introducing sliding-scale memberships to accommodate a more varied user base. ‘I’m particularly excited that this offering will be free, removing one of the biggest barriers to entry for people looking to develop a fitness routine,’ explains Dhaval Chadha, senior product manager of ClassPass Go.

ClassPass Go, US

Rice Krispies creates inclusive packaging

Rice Krispies, US

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.

Stat: Financial wellness a concern for American women

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.

Thought-starter: Is this digital mind gym the future of wellbeing?

Happy Not Perfect is a mental wellness brand best known for its daily lifestyle app. Likened to a digital mind gym, the app aims to make relaxation and mindfulness interactive and easier for people to do throughout the day.

The app’s routine comprises seven interactive steps, including guided breathing exercises, creating gratitude lists, a compassion step in which users pay themselves a compliment, and a function called Write and Let Go, in which users type in what’s been bothering them and then, by rubbing their finger over the screen, set virtual fire to their worries, watching them go up in flames.

‘I began by working with neuroscientists and training with leading breathing experts to help understand the science of happiness,’ explains Poppy Jamie. ‘For example, neuroscience consultant Dr Alex Korb, author of The Upward Spiral, which explores how small lifestyle changes can reverse depression.’

Jamie notes that among her generation in particular – Millennials – at the end of busy and highly stimulating days, it is almost impossible to sit still and relax. ‘When investigating the science behind mental health, I found that interactive exercises such as writing a gratitude list, keeping a journal, playing games and compassionate activity are not only more fun but also tremendously beneficial to your mental wellbeing,’ she adds.

Read the full interview with Poppy Jamie here.

Happy Not Perfect Instagram account
Previous News Articles
Louis Vuitton brings La Beauté to life with immersive Soho pop-up

News

Louis Vuitton brings La Beauté to life with immersive Soho pop-up

Louis Vuitton has marked the launch of its first cosmetics line with a limited-time pop-up in New York’s Soho, transforming 104 Prince Street into ...
Retail : Luxury : Beauty
Foresight Friday: Dan Hastings, deputy foresight editor

News

Foresight Friday: Dan Hastings, deputy foresight editor

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
Stat: US adults are losing confidence in capitalism 

News

Stat: US adults are losing confidence in capitalism 

Stat : Statistic : Money
Knight Frank’s research signals the rise of wellness in luxury real estate

News

Knight Frank’s research signals the rise of wellness in luxury real estate

In The Residence Report, released in September 2025, global real estate consultancy Knight Frank explores the future of luxury residential developm...
Luxury : Real Estate : Wellness
Nike changes Just Do It to Why Do It? in new campaign

News

Nike changes Just Do It to Why Do It? in new campaign

Nike has re-imagined its iconic Just Do It slogan for today’s athletes with the launch of its latest campaign, Why Do It? 
Visual : Nike : Campaign
New Zealand’s Department of Conservation merges sustainability and local pride

News

New Zealand’s Department of Conservation merges sustainability and local pride

The Department of Conservation in New Zealand has unveiled a three-year campaign with Deloitte Digital and Deloitte’s Sustainability and Climate te...
Conservation : National Branding : New Zealand
Stat: The majority of Gen Alpha consumers buy clothes to create content

News

Stat: The majority of Gen Alpha consumers buy clothes to create content

Clothing retailer PacSun’s study of more than 6,000 Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers in the US reveals how fashion purchases are increasingly made for...
Gen Alpha : Fashion : Retail
John Lewis celebrates 100 iconic products for its centenary

News

John Lewis celebrates 100 iconic products for its centenary

John Lewis is marking 100 years of its Never Knowingly Undersold promise with a new multi-media campaign created by advertising company Saatchi &am...
Brand Heritage : Heritage : Branding
Monzo tackles financial literacy with The Book of Money

News

Monzo tackles financial literacy with The Book of Money

British online bank Monzo has launched The Book of Money in response to research showing that half of Britons (51%) feel they are not reaching thei...
Finance : Gen Z : Education
Stat: Light preventative personal care routines on the rise

News

Stat: Light preventative personal care routines on the rise

Kenvue, owner of brands including Neutrogena, Aveeno and Listerine, has launched A New View of Care: The Power of Personal Care Routines, a global ...
Stat : Statistic : Health
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