Need to Know
20 : 07 : 20

London – Product design student Holly Grounds has created dissolvable ramen packaging that turns into sauce.

Replacing the plastic sachets that usually accompany instant noodles, the packaging solution is an eco-friendly, flavourless biofilm made from potato starch, glycerin and water. Once heated, the film keeps dry noodles from going stale, but its properties allow it to instantly dissolve in boiling water. The packaging itself includes herbs and flavourings, allowing it to form a sauce for the noodles.

‘While other bio-based alternatives to plastic claim to be compostable or biodegradable, from a consumer perspective it's not always that simple,’ explains Holly Grounds. ‘Many of the emerging bio-based films only break down in an industrial composter at 50°C, so they often end up in the wrong place without the consumer really knowing that they caused damage to the planet.’

With consumers increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of plastic, brands are turning food by-products from produce to packaging.

China – Nike’s latest concept store Nike Rise has opened in Guangzhou, providing members with a data-driven shopping playground.

Using insights that members have shared with Nike, as well as responding to real-time sports moments in the city, data will power the consumer experience in Nike Rise. That includes how a Nike member engages with the Nike app in-store, and how the store looks, feels and flows throughout the shopping journey.

‘Whether members are connecting through the Nike app or  joining in-store , they’re invited to experience a digitally enabled journey at this Nike Rise door that links them to the energy and activity of the city, and unites communities across Guangzhou through the power of sport,’ states Cathy Sparks, vice-president and general. manager of Global Nike Direct Stores & Services.

Data-driven stores are becoming an integral part of bricks-and-mortar retail. For more, explore our microtrend Data ID Stores.

With much of the UK ditching their commute for remote working, coffee chains that previously relied on commuter trade are struggling.

A BrandIndex study by YouGov outlines some of the losses of key British chains, including a 74% decrease in sales year on year for Pret A Manger. The chain recorded a drop in its Current Customer score by 3.9 points from March (4.9) to June (1.0). Similarly, Starbucks’ score dropped by 4.9 points and Costa Coffee fell by 12.2 points in the same period.

While Britons have been told by the government to work from home whenever possible, businesses that rely on commuters and office workers have seen their customer base decimated over the past few months, leading to business closures nationwide.

As remote working becomes increasingly normalised, and customers remain anxious about shopping and dining in city centres, brands that previously relied on Convenience Culture will need to rethink their offering.