News 28.05.2021

Need To Know

reMarkable turns the tech store into a library, Beats brings Brazilian reality tv to Instagram and US seniors ditch digital grocery shopping.

A technology retail space for digital respite

A Better Place to Think by Snøhetta for reMarkable, Oslo. Photography by Calle Huth A Better Place to Think by Snøhetta for reMarkable, Oslo. Photography by Calle Huth
A Better Place to Think by Snøhetta for reMarkable, Oslo. Photography by Calle Huth A Better Place to Think by Snøhetta for reMarkable, Oslo. Photography by Calle Huth
A Better Place to Think by Snøhetta for reMarkable, Oslo. Photography by Calle Huth A Better Place to Think by Snøhetta for reMarkable, Oslo. Photography by Calle Huth

Oslo – Tablet brand reMarkable is offering consumers a space for stillness and reflection as an antidote to digitised living.

The brand's Oslo-based pop-up shop, designed by architecture firm Snøhetta, takes inspiration from libraries to provide customers with a space for contemplation and concentration, with timber desks, leather banquettes and small domed reading lamps. By creating a library space that is more commonly associated with reading physical books, the spatial design also references the paper-like surface of reMarkable tablets.

In today's fast-paced and digitalised society, finding places for focused thinking can be a challenge, says Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, founder of Snøhetta. For the reMarkable pop-up store, we wanted to echo the serene environments of libraries – the clean and open spaces, sombre aesthetics, tidy structures and focused reading zones.

Consumers are rejecting overstimulation in favour of contemplation. As such, brands have a key opportunity to create restful retail spaces that foster a mindset of Enlightened States.

Japan publisher Kodansha brings manga to the masses

Kodansha branding by Gretel, Tokyo Kodansha branding by Gretel, Tokyo
Kodansha branding by Gretel, Tokyo Kodansha branding by Gretel, Tokyo

Tokyo – Literary and manga magazine publisher Kodansha has undergone its first rebranding in 112 years.

The publisher's reworked identity, spearheaded by creative agency Gretel, aims to uplift the brand beyond its native Japan. Having gained worldwide exposure for publishing successful manga titles such as Akira and Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Kodansha is now seeking to ‘communicate who we are on a global scale’.

The rebranding includes a promotional film in which Kodansha books are shown taking flight from Tokyo and appearing in the hands of international audiences, showcasing its global journey. This cross-cultural rebranding includes a new universal logo, which takes inspiration from a traditional Japanese Hanko stamp. Sue Murphy, creative director at Gretel, explains: The brand logo represents Kodansha’s position at the crossroad of all cultures, where many ideas, voices and stories intersect.’

Brands that were once rooted in their native cultures are crossing borders to reach new audiences, which is in turn inspiring their visual identities. We've been tracking the evolution of this trend since identifying New Bricolage Living back in 2015.

Beats hosts Brazil’s first Instagram reality show

Brazil – Beats, a beverage brand by Ambev, is driving new forms of fan support through a reality show on Instagram.

Marking a first for the brand and for Brazil, the Instagram reality show, Islanded with Beats, was led by Brazilian pop star Anitta alongside 10 influencers. Broadcast live on Beats’ Instagram, the show featured participants taking part in several challenges – with all content encouraging viewer interaction via Stories, Live and IGTV.

By merging entertainment with the travel and parties that young Brazilians are missing out on, the show was hugely successful. Beats gained 1.3m new followers within just 72 hours of the show being broadcast, and the three days of live coverage reached a total of 10m views.

By taking a creative approach to social media marketing, Beats was able to boost loyalty among customers, using interaction opportunities with stars to tap into the market for digital fandom.

Beats Zodiac Instagram TV reality show by WMcCann and Endemol Shine Brasil, Brazil Beats Zodiac Instagram TV reality show by WMcCann and Endemol Shine Brasil, Brazil

Stat: US seniors are losing interest in grocery e-commerce

Amazon Key, US Amazon Key, US

While lockdown measures caused a surge in online grocery shopping among seniors, new research shows that many are now returning to physical stores.

According to data from Bricks Meets Click and Mercatus, the number of seniors in the US using web-based grocery services declined by 25% in April, compared to 2020. This change in behaviour represents the biggest shift in any age group. And while online grocery specialists like Instacart helped about 300,000 senior customers to use its service, the platform is now losing customers as they revert to pre-pandemic mindsets.

But Jody Holtzman, former head of market innovation at the AARP, believes this demographic may take a hybrid approach to grocery shopping. She says: ‘Seniors will probably split their shopping in the future, using the web periodically to stock up on staples like canned goods and cereal, and reserving in-store trips for produce, fish and meat.’

To discover more insights about the physical and digital spending habits of this generation, read our Money Market: Baby Boomers report.

Previous News Articles
Nike and Dazed re-imagine sport culture with new Dazed Maxx magazine

News

Nike and Dazed re-imagine sport culture with new Dazed Maxx magazine

Nike and Dazed have launched Dazed Maxx, a 54-page print special spotlighting sport subcultures and Nike athletes, including NFL player Bijan Robin...
Sports & Leisure : Fashion : Pop-culture & Media
Off-Broadway classic uses AI to break the language barrier

News

Off-Broadway classic uses AI to break the language barrier

New York’s longest-running play, Perfect Crime, is harnessing AI to welcome non-English speakers into the theatre.
AI Translation : Wordly : Perfect Crime
Stat: Gen Z and Millennials power health and wellness industry growth

News

Stat: Gen Z and Millennials power health and wellness industry growth

According to recent Bank of America (BofA) data, Gen Z and Millennial consumers are driving a significant surge in wellness spending, helping to in...
Gen Z : Stat : Statistic
1001 Optometry launches The Hidden Eye Test Campaign for eyecare awareness

News

1001 Optometry launches The Hidden Eye Test Campaign for eyecare awareness

1001 Optometry, an Australian eyewear company, has unveiled a thought-provoking campaign, The Hidden Eye Test, developed in collaboration with VML ...
Advertising & Branding : Fashion : Health & Wellness
Coach Play rethinks retail to capture Gen Z shoppers

News

Coach Play rethinks retail to capture Gen Z shoppers

Coach’s experimentation with its immersive Coach Play stores is paying off. Compared to traditional Coach stores, these concept locations see four ...
Retail : Coach : Gen Z
Stat: Consumers reject corporate storytelling as scepticism and fatigue mount

News

Stat: Consumers reject corporate storytelling as scepticism and fatigue mount

Consumers are growing increasingly sceptical of corporate storytelling, with 56% believing brands spend too much time talking about their values – ...
Brand Purpose : Citizen Brands : Conran Design Group
Dehydrating Book highlights the global water crisis

News

Dehydrating Book highlights the global water crisis

Water for People, Edelman and Toronto studio The Gas Company have designed a book that can only be read when wet.
Design : Pop-culture & Media : Sustainability
Foresight Friday: Fiona Harkin, director of foresight

News

Foresight Friday: Fiona Harkin, director of foresight

Every Friday, we offer an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, director of foresigh...
Foresight Friday : Ff : US Economy
Stat: HNWIs in China shift towards luxury travel rather than possessions

News

Stat: HNWIs in China shift towards luxury travel rather than possessions

China’s wealthy elite are increasingly prioritising cultural and immersive luxury experiences over traditional material possessions, according to a...
Stat : Statistic : China
SmartSKN introduces AI-powered customised Korean skincare

News

SmartSKN introduces AI-powered customised Korean skincare

South Korean beauty company SmartSKN has launched K-OWN, an AI-driven skincare platform that uses real-time diagnostics and on-demand manufacturing...
AI Skincare : Skincare : AI In Beauty
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