The wellness industry has been growing rapidly, with technology solutions such as wearables, personalized products such as 3D printed vitamins, and in-home gym and workout equipment. In the retail sector, hot trends in healthy lifestyles are changing certain categories and creating new ones. In today’s blog, we’ll explore how trends in wellness are reshaping health-focussed retail.
Trend 1- Shifting Medical Care to Pharmacies
Across the world, a shortage of general practitioners, overrun ERs, and an aging population have created a perfect storm: access to healthcare is shrinking while demand grows. In response, governments around the world see pharmacies as a way to expand access. By allowing pharmacists to prescribe for common ailments, conduct tests on site, and screen for more serious issues, the landscape for retail pharmacy is changing.
Early starters: Following in the footsteps of CVS Health, pharmacy chains will start revamping their retail assets to include more clinic space. Designing clinical areas of the store will require new thinking to ensure consumers feel confident receiving medical care in a place where they can also buy toilet paper and toothpaste.
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Trend 2- Cold Plunges Create a New Concept
If you’re not familiar with Andrew Huberman, you may be one of the last. His podcast, The Huberman Lab, is the #1 health and wellness podcast in the world, featuring guest experts from all kinds of practices. The Huberman Protocol, a document in which he outlines daily things we can do to be healthier, discusses the benefit of cold plunges. The internet has taken this to heart, driving a new retail concept: the cold plunge spa. Currently mostly indie-operated, these locations feature cold plunging alongside other elements such as hot saunas. Some include group activities such as meditation, while others offer a completely private experience by the hour.
Early starters: A great add-on for a gym or current spa, it remains to be seen how much longevity standalone concepts have. A range of styles are emerging, from rustic Scandinavian-inspired approaches, luxurious modern takes, and minimalist gender-neutral spas.
Trend 3- Fast and Healthy
Fast food brands have dipped in and out of better-for-you trends. It doesn’t always work when you’re known and loved for burgers and fries. However, healthy fast casual food service brands are growing in popularity. Health-focused consumers seem to be ok with a $20 bowl or salad with protein, especially as food prices have pushed up the cost of fast food anyway.
Early Starters: Brands like Chopped Leaf are expanding to new regions, offering consumers great-tasting greens. Fun, fresh designs that feel lighthearted and approachable, feel right for this category.
Trend 4- Indoor Play Gets a Glow Up
Indoor playgrounds are nothing new – trampolines, paintballs, and arcades have been around for a while now. However, newer concepts that elevate the experience are creating a stir. The focus is on merging physically engaging experiences with elevated design and technology. AR and VR are making their way into playrooms, along with interactive projection mapping and lighting games. Now that most of us can play video games on our personal devices, arcade games are less of a draw on their own. Interactive, physical, and even analog experiences are rising in popularity.
Early Starters: PursuitOCR is an adult-only indoor obstacle course that uses light and color to create an exciting, unique experience. Stores like Camp are focusing on imaginative programming in a highly stimulating space. Activate, a new concept that turns video games into real-world, physical activities, is growing exponentially.
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What’s The takeaway?
The demand for access to health and wellness-driven experiences is growing. Retail brands that can play in this space should move quickly to innovate – if you’re thinking about it, odds are your competitors are as well.
