Need to Know
30 : 04 : 19

UK – Æcorn Aperitifs is a new range of non-alcoholic aperitifs created to be paired with food and stimulate the appetite.

Designed to be served as a spritz or within a variety of no-or low-alcohol cocktails, the range launches with three varietals: Dry, Bitter and Aromatic. Each is made from Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay grapes grown in England, which are pressed early and blended with herbs, roots and bitter botanicals.

‘We are thrilled to be following in Seedlip’s footsteps and breaking new ground in the category they created,’ says Claire Warner, managing director of Æcorn Aperitifs. ‘Since Seedlip’s launch, the world of non-alcoholic has shown itself to be dynamic and exciting, and we hope that the introduction of Æcorn Aperitifs will now give everyone who is not drinking, a seat at the table.’

For more on how innovators are rethinking the non-alcoholic category, read our Evening Waters microtrend.

Beijing – Dalziel & Pow has created an elevated retail experience merging tech and transparency for fashion brand SELECTED.

The Future You store seamlessly integrates technology into brick-and-mortar retail, with projections, kinetic signage and a live social media feed behind the cash register. Its changing rooms are kitted out with magic mirrors, which allow customers to swipe through products as they would a dating app, and share their outfits with friends via WeChat.

Adding an element of transparency to apparel shopping, clothing rails in the store feature pocket-sized screens called ‘debriefs’ that display product information, educating customers on the origins the garment, its materials and how to style it. The Future You concept is set to be rolled out across all of the Danish apparel brand’s Beijing stores.

In order to evolve, physical stores must embrace technologies that have helped their online counterparts succeed. For more, read our macrotrend Storefront Salvation.

Ireland – The mobile network has partnered with the remote island of Arranmore to transform its residents' lifestyles through better connectivity.

Until now, Arranmore’s lack of connectivity has restricted societal and economic growth. The partnership with Three will help its community of 469 people to create new business and employment opportunities. The initiative is also part of the island’s efforts to encourage its diaspora to consider returning home.

Building on Arranmore Business Council’s work to establish Ireland’s first offshore digital hub, and facilitate an effective remote working environment, Three has provided fast connectivity and bandwidth, as well as fitting-out the interior of the hub and installing new hardware. ‘We believe this partnership will go a long way in helping to future-proof Arranmore and will make the island sustainable for the next generation,’ says Seamus Bonner, a representative of Arranmore Business Council.

To discover more ways the internet is empowering rural communities, read our debrief of the fifth annual IAM Weekend

Google is setting an example for how companies can avoid food waste in the workplace. As part of its mission to become a leader in sustainability, the company calculates that it has avoided more than 6 million pounds of food going into landfills or compost.

In 2014, Google teamed up with Leanpath – which provides equipment to measure and track food waste – to ensure the 200,000 meals it serves in its office cafes every day are made with minimal wastage. Using this data, Google has been able to adjust its food quantities and repurpose ingredients effectively, for example turning leftover risotto into arancini balls.

As threatened supply chains and shortened food miles bring us closer to a future of Uprooted Diets, brands must consider how they can implement tools and technology to help solve our food waste epidemic.