Need to Know
14 : 10 : 20

Global – The sports brand has unveiled Strung, a new textile and manufacturing process that uses data and robotics to change how footwear is created.

Part of the Futurecraft incubator at adidas, the tech-driven textile innovation draws on athlete data, additive manufacturing and robotics.To create strong but lightweight textile uppers, each individual thread is data-mapped and woven together for a seamless fit that supports the foot’s natural movement. The uppers are also produced using one piece of material, as each thread can be set in any direction to provide support and flexibility.

In a bid to deliver the optimal experience for forefoot striking runners, the design and fit aim to improve running times by five metres per second or faster. The company has hopes for further athletic applications across different runner profiles, and intends to include Strung uppers across the adidas sports range.

Apparel and footwear brands are turning to robotics to adopt automated manufacturing processes. For more on this, read our microtrend Fast Fabrication.

UK – Good Candles is a candle brand that enables civic action through each of its scented products.

The small-batch candles are playfully labelled and scented based on different civic concerns. For example, every purchase of the School Dinners candle, which is designed to evoke memories of school puddings, guarantees a donation to food banks. Meanwhile, the Forest Fire candle is inspired by the nostalgia of campfires, and for every purchase the brand will fund the planting of 20 new trees as its philanthropic benefit.

Leaning into the rise of home purchases, Good Candles is targeting consumers who are keen to improve their living spaces while feeling good about the added benefit of philanthropic spending.

With lockdown measures having accelerated the Homebody Economy, people are increasingly seeking pleasure and comfort in their home environments.

In the US, adults who have chosen not to have children commonly say that climate change was a key factor in their decision to remain child-free.

In a recent study by Morning Consult, some 11% of child-free adults said climate change was a major reason for not having children, while 15% said it played a minor role. Child-free Hispanic respondents were particularly likely to say climate change had affected their plans, with 41% stating it was a major or minor reason that they don’t have children.

Although climate change was among the least-cited reasons for remaining child-free, behind financial, political and career concerns, the data suggests that its impacts are becoming increasingly visible to the public.

From environmental concerns to financial impacts and other lifestyle considerations, many adults are rethinking their plans to have children.