LSN : News : Swoon sets out to redefine sweetener

Snøhetta uses architecture to propose slower tourism

Path of Perspectives, Snøhetta, Innsbruck

Path of Perspectives by Snøhetta, Innsbruck

Innsbruck, Austria – The Path of Perspectives introduces 10 structures to highlight the unique features of an alpine trail.

Snaking along the Northern Limestone Alps, Snøhetta’s architectural interventions are designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. By allowing visitors to experience the alpine mountains from different perspectives, the structures encourage people to spread equally throughout the area, rather than gathering at a single viewing point.

The 10 elements, each shaped from Corten steel, are inscribed with quotes from Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. ‘The words invite visitors to take a moment and reflect, both inwardly and out over the landscape, giving a dual meaning to the path of perspectives,’ reads the studio’s press release.

As travel becomes cheaper and tourist numbers grow, Snohetta is offering a solution to the overtourism epidemic by discouraging crowding.

Swoon sets out to redefine sweetener

Swoon, US

New York – The brand has launched a new liquid sugar substitute naturally sweetened with monk fruit.

Swoon’s first-of-its-kind sweetener feels, tastes and acts like simple syrup, meaning it can be used to sweeten a variety of hot and cold beverages, from tea and coffee, to cocktails and lemonades. According to the brand, Swoon can be swapped for refined sugar or syrups on a 1:1 ratio.

The product contains zero sugar and is an all-natural alternative to artificial sweeteners, such as sucralose and aspartame. Instead, Swoon’s natural sweetness comes from monk fruit, a melon that has zero glycaemic impact and is safe for diabetics. In fact, developing a product that doesn’t raise blood sugar was key focus for co-founder Jennifer Ross, herself a Type 1 diabetic.

As consumers – particularly Generation Z – try to reduce their refined sugar intake, food and beverage brands must consider their sugar-free offerings.

Sainsbury’s pub challenges binge-drinking culture

London – The supermarket has launched The Clean Vic, a traditional take on the British pub that will only sell no and low-alcohol beverages.

Serving a wide range of alternatives to beer, wine and spirits, each drink available at the pub is entirely non-alcoholic or has an ABV of just 0.5%. Visitors also have the chance to taste Celtic Soul, the UK’s first non-alcoholic dark distillate, which offers a refined drinking experience similar to that of drinking whiskey.

The Clean Vic is also offering masterclasses hosted by Millie Gooch, founder of Sober Girl Society, for those looking for inspiration on how to cut down their alcohol intake. According to Sainsbury’s, the launch coincides with a 31.8% increase in its sales of no and low alcohol products, recorded over the last 12 weeks.

With this space, Sainsbury’s is targeting Low-proof Drinkers, who are eschewing the extremes of binge-drinking and abstinence in favour of a more considered relationship with alcohol.

The Clean Vic, Sainsbury's, London

Symbiotic bodycare inspired by the Balkans

Wake-Up Droplets by Saint Iris Adriatica

London – Wellness-inspired skincare brand Saint Iris Adriatica has developed a brightening serum for both face and body.

The brand’s Wake-Up Droplets are the latest addition to its line of whole-body skincare – or what it refers to as symbiotic bodycare – which uses naturally active ingredients inspired by the Adriatic Sea. Containing vitamin C for its antioxidant properties, as well as prebiotic pomegranate enzyme and Adriatic mountain daisy extract to target pigmentation, the gel-like serum is intended to be used all over.

Further blurring the lines between skincare and bodycare, the packaging design reflects the Balkan's spas and apothecaries, while offering a gender-neutral, contemporary take on its Adriatic heritage. As such, Saint Iris Adriatica demonstrates how brands are developing more efficacious formulas and highlighting the benefits of a body-centric approach to skincare. For more, read our Rethinking Bodycare microtrend.

Stat: Women’s attitudes shift around shared finances

An increasing number of women in the UK are choosing not to share their wealth with their partner, according to a study by Netwealth. The survey of nearly 4,000 British women found that more than a quarter of those between the ages of 16 and 34 are opting to keep their financial assets separate, while 55% of women aged over 55 choose to share their wealth.

As many as 45% of women say keeping their wealth separate is to maintain financial independence, while 40% prefer to manage their money themselves. ‘The traditional approach to managing finances jointly is being overturned by a new generation of financially more autonomous females,’ says Charlotte Ransom, CEO of Netwealth.

In this age of Uncoupled Living, financial brands must ensure they are catering to the Women’s Wealth Market.

Thought-starter: Is it time for a re-usable packaging revolution?

Growing concern about the environmental impact of plastic packaging is driving innovations in re-usable and refill concepts among retailers and FMCG brands. Foresight writer Alex Hawkins explores this burgeoning market.

The pressure is mounting on brands and retailers to address the issue of single-use packaging and the glut of waste it creates, with consumers, environmental organisations and new legislation calling for immediate action.

In response, a growing number of retailers are embracing packaging-free initiatives – from dedicated aisles in supermarkets to entire stores. ‘Retailers recognise how important it is to tackle plastic pollution, removing it where possible and ensuring all packaging is recyclable,’ says Peter Andrews, head of sustainability policy at the British Retail Consortium.

Online platform Useless, for example, is a directory for zero-waste stores. Created by ethical agency Nice and Serious, the Useless website helps shoppers find London-based retailers offering loose or unpackaged produce, alongside refill services for home cleaning products and toiletries.

Read the full the Re-usable Packaging Market here.