After a decade of relentless advancements in technology, manufacturing and ‘need for speed’, we started past year with a screeching halt. While the inertia of shock came without much absorption, it did allow us to reassess our values, retune our frequencies and revisit ourselves. Consumers who were living in outward-focused culture shifted their lifestyle to match new normal and rediscovered their way of living in new light.

The slowdown was always intended, but nature became its great amplifier birthing an act of nurture long overdue. This shift bought in the new perspective on fashion, accompanying economic and societal crises fundamentally rewired the way consumers live and paved the discourse to the balance between real and virtual. They are living an evolved yet simpler lives picking the products that seamlessly blend into their personal ecosystems.

One of the most defining features of our world is the unabated up-gradation in technology giving rise to a seamless phygital experience and lifestyle. Consumers are finding ways to balance their offline & online worlds. From virtual fashion and trade shows to zoom parties and work from home, lifestyle shifts have impacted every way in which consumers interact with the products.

As tech became more normalised, the digital experiences became hinge point of the spending habits. The way generations shopped changed more quickly and ease of access on internet became major motivator. However, this breakneck pace and hyper-connectivity has come with its set of complexities, ranging from emotional, psychological and social disorders; boosting instant-gratification and the “now culture”, but also de-humanizing and spawning an attention poor generation.

The virtual connectivity plays key role not only in buying decisions but also impacting emotional behaviours. Brands and tech giants course-correct to envision the start of a Re-Smart era, defined by mindful tech consumption, healthier ‘cobotic’ relationships, circular alt-materials, responsible gamification and responsive ecosystems.

 

KEYWORDS
Mindful tech, Balance , Hyper-connectivity, Phygital Experiences, Cobotic relationships, Slowdown, Now culture, Re-smart era