The hottest Consumer behavior Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways

Meatless Future or Vegan Delusions? The Beyond Meat Valuation

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 12 Jun 19

Beyond Meat is leading the plant-based meat market, but competition from companies like Impossible Foods is growing. Both companies are focusing on taste and texture to attract meat-eaters looking for alternatives.
Health concerns, environmental impact, and improved taste are pushing more people to try meatless options. These trends are likely to strengthen, leading to more growth in the meatless products industry.
The meatless meat market is still relatively small compared to traditional meat. While it has potential for growth, it may take time to reach a significant share of the overall meat market.

High and higher: The Money in Marijuana!

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 16 Oct 18

💼 Business Market Trends Investing Entrepreneurship Regulations Consumer behavior

The marijuana market is growing quickly, with many people using it and spending significant money on it. Legal cannabis sales in places like Canada and California are generating billions in revenue.
Even with legalization, the illegal marijuana market will likely continue because legal options are more expensive due to taxes and regulations. This makes it harder for legal businesses to compete.
Investors should be cautious as not all cannabis companies are profitable yet. Choices include investing in specific companies, buying a variety of stocks, or looking at established businesses already involved in the cannabis market.

Deconstructing Amazon Prime: Loss Leader or Value Creator?

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 17 Oct 17

💼 Business E-commerce Economics Marketing Consumer behavior Valuation

Amazon Prime has grown rapidly since its start in 2005, reaching around 85 million members by 2017. This makes it a vital service for Amazon's business.
The value of a Prime member is significant because they tend to spend much more on Amazon than non-members, often over $1,300 a year compared to around $700.
Amazon faces challenges managing shipping costs and maintaining member growth. If these costs rise too much, it could negatively impact the value of new and existing members.

What's in a name? Of Umlauts, The Alphabet and World Peace!

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 09 Sep 15

💼 Business Marketing Corporate strategy Branding Consumer behavior Business valuation

Changing names can help businesses escape negative associations, like when Philip Morris became Altria to distance itself from tobacco.
Sometimes a name change reflects a shift in focus or values for a company, like when Apple dropped 'Computer' from its name as it began selling more phones and tablets.
Names matter in marketing and can influence a company's value, as shown by how stock prices react to name changes, even if the business itself doesn't change much.

Losing, sustaining and building on brand names

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 19 Apr 09

💼 Business Brand Management Marketing Corporate strategy Crisis Management Branding Marketing Consumer behavior Crisis Management Competitive advantage

Brand names can add a lot of value to a company, but they can easily lose that value due to bad events or actions, like in the case of Domino's.
Companies need to understand where their brand value comes from and actively maintain it. Mistakes, like Coca-Cola's New Coke, can harm a brand significantly.
Brand names can last a long time, but if companies don't connect with younger customers and avoid overextending their brand, they risk losing their appeal.

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Valuing brand names

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 10 Apr 09

💰 Finance Branding Valuation Marketing Finance Consumer behavior Corporate strategy Valuation Methods Market Analysis Consumer behavior

Brand names can significantly add value to a company, making it important to try estimating that value. It's interesting to think about what would happen if a company suddenly lost its brand name.
Estimating the value of a brand is easier when there are no significant quality differences among products. For example, Coca Cola and generic sodas are very similar except for the brand.
For companies like Sony or Apple, their higher profits might come from factors besides their brand names, like quality and design. So, valuing their brand may include a mix of different advantages.

The power of a brand name

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 02 Apr 09

💼 Business Branding Valuation Marketing Corporate Finance Consumer behavior Branding Valuation Marketing Corporate Finance

A strong brand name can significantly increase the price of a product, even if the product itself is the same as a less popular one. Think of how much more you pay for Mickey Mouse merchandise compared to generic items.
Companies with valuable brand names tend to have higher overall value than similar companies without strong brands. This value comes from their ability to attract customers and charge more.
When valuing a business, the brand's worth should already be reflected in the financial data, such as profits and margins. Adding an extra value for the brand can lead to counting it twice, which isn't accurate.

Get your users into the habit of upgrading

CommandBlogue • 0 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24

💼 Business Marketing User Experience Product Design SaaS Consumer behavior

Make it easy for users to take actions like signing up or upgrading. The simpler it is, the more likely they are to do it.
Using a consistent button for similar actions helps users form good habits. They will associate that button with success and keep using it.
Be careful with what you make easy to do. Some actions, like deleting data, should have extra steps to prevent mistakes.

Reversals make brands more memorable

Creative Samba • 0 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24

💼 Business Marketing Branding Advertising Consumer behavior Media

Using reversals in branding helps people remember the brand better. It creates a surprising twist that catches attention.
Engaging younger audiences requires understanding their habits, like spending lots of time on social media platforms.
Food brands should consider the cultural context of their audience to connect more meaningfully, like how family interactions are affected by technology.

Whats The Point Of Chewing Gum?

jsfour • 0 implied HN points • 24 Sep 24

💼 Business Marketing Entrepreneurship Industry Trends Product Development Consumer behavior

When thinking about business ideas, consider if they solve a real problem (painkillers) or just offer something nice (vitamins).
Chewing gum has a lot of purposes, like freshening breath or relieving stress, but it may just be good marketing.
Even if your product isn't a 'painkiller', like vitamins, it still has value and a market. So, don't give up on your idea!

DGAF: Why unhinged brands could be the safest marketing path

{grow} by Mark Schaefer • 0 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24

💼 Business Marketing Branding Advertising Consumer behavior Market Trends

Unhinged brands are becoming popular because they grab attention and spark conversations. They prioritize standing out over sticking to traditional marketing rules.
Brands like Liquid Death and Nutter Butter are showing that being weird or edgy can resonate well with consumers. This approach allows them to connect with those who feel disconnected from mainstream products.
Indifference is a big problem for brands. By being bold and different, these brands create their own unique identities and stay relevant in a crowded market.

The Nutter Butter campaign explained. Yes, this nightmare makes sense

{grow} by Mark Schaefer • 0 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24

💼 Business Marketing Branding Advertising Consumer behavior Social media

Nutter Butter's new marketing campaign is loud, weird, and grabs attention. They're using strange videos to stand out in a crowded market.
The goal is to evoke strong emotions, whether good or bad, because that makes people remember and share the content. This makes their ads go viral.
Gen Z loves brands that are different and a bit bizarre. Nutter Butter is taking a risk, but it's working because they had nothing to lose and needed to be noticed.

159 | Spotlight on Shigella | Superweeds (Super Bad) | Loving Fakes |

The Rotten Apple • 0 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24

🍲 Food & Drink Food Safety Food Fraud Agriculture Health Risks Consumer behavior

Shigella bacteria can cause severe foodborne illness and mainly spreads through contaminated hands. Proper handwashing and careful food sourcing are crucial to prevent its spread.
Superweeds are plants that have become resistant to common herbicides like glyphosate. They are a growing problem for farmers, leading to higher costs and reduced crop yields.
Consumers sometimes buy counterfeit food products as a way to challenge social inequality. They may feel that buying fakes helps them reject expensive brands and achieve a sense of equality.

Global smartphone shipments rise 5% in Q3 2024

philsiarri • 0 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24

🕹 Technology Smartphones Market Trends Consumer behavior Emerging Markets Product Launches

Global smartphone shipments went up by 5% in Q3 2024, which is the best it's been since 2021. This means more people are buying new phones than before.
Samsung and Apple were the top smartphone sellers, with strong sales from new models like the iPhone 16. These companies have been successful in reaching both developing and established markets.
Emerging markets like Southeast Asia and Latin America are growing the fastest due to competition and price incentives, while rich countries see more demand for high-end phones with smart features.

From FDs to IPOs: The Investor Shift Shaking Up Financial Institutions

Decentralised • 0 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24

💰 Finance Investments Markets Banking Fintech Consumer behavior

More people in India are moving their money from safe savings options like fixed deposits to investing in the stock market. This trend is growing quickly.
There are now many more retail investors actively participating in the stock market, with millions of new investment accounts opened recently. This is changing how people invest.
Financial institutions like banks need to update their technology and adapt to the changing market. If they don't, they risk losing customers to newer fintech companies that provide better services.

How DTC brand JUDY made prepping cool with PR, podcasts, and joyful branding

the case for brand 💼 • 0 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24

💼 Business Marketing Branding E-commerce Retail Consumer behavior

JUDY, a go-bag brand, makes emergency planning fun and accessible. They focus on turning disaster prep into smart and positive emergency plans.
The brand uses celebrity endorsements to gain popularity. Having the Kardashians support them helps JUDY stand out in the market.
JUDY emphasizes the importance of community and expert partnerships. They collaborate with organizations like the Los Angeles Fire Department to build credibility and trust in their products.

10 Charts That Capture How the World Is Changing (Part I)

Digital Native • 0 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24

💼 Business Finance Venture Capital Market Trends Consumer behavior Startup Ecosystem

Prediction markets are gaining popularity as people can now bet on real-life events. This trend allows individuals to use their knowledge and insights to potentially earn money.
The venture capital landscape is shifting, and experts believe 2025 could see a turnaround with more returns and IPOs. There's hope that a new wave of companies might provide big payouts to investors.
People are increasingly spending on experiences rather than just goods. This trend reflects a cultural shift where memorable experiences are valued more, driven by social media and a desire for unique moments.

Beauty Is in the Algorithm of the Beholder

Digital Native • 0 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24

🎭️ Culture Beauty Standards Health trends Social media Consumer behavior

Beauty standards are always changing based on what is seen as desirable. For a long time, being plump was a sign of wealth, but nowadays, being thin is often seen as the ideal.
New drugs like Ozempic are making weight loss more accessible, which could shift beauty standards again. If everyone can easily lose weight, we might see a change in what is considered beautiful.
The rise of social media and technology is influencing how we perceive beauty. With tools for photo editing and cosmetic procedures becoming more common, people are more focused on looking good in photos and online.

Stimulus, Rent the Runway, and do people know how angry the average consumer is?

Alex's Personal Blog • 0 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24

💼 Business Economics Consumer behavior Market Trends Corporate Finance Investment

China's economy is struggling with low inflation and falling producer prices, leading to the need for monetary stimulus to boost growth.
Rent the Runway is facing significant market challenges, even as it takes steps to improve its business and reduce losses.
There is a growing divide between business leaders and the general public regarding consumer anger, particularly about issues like health insurance.

FIFA: Beanie Babies in football form

The Rectangle • 0 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24

🎭️ Culture Gaming Economics Consumer behavior Nostalgia Collectibles

Digital items, like football players in a game, can create strong emotional attachments for players. Losing these items can feel really upsetting, even if they are just part of a game.
People often assign value to things that are not inherently valuable, similar to beanie babies. This happens because of perceived rarity and people's willingness to pay for them.
The feelings tied to these digital goods reflect a hope for improvement in life, like achieving success in a game. This optimism is what makes people value both digital items and collectibles.

Thar Roxx Review: Only for SUV Usage

Kartick’s Blog • 0 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25

🎭️ Culture Automobiles Product Reviews Consumer behavior

SUVs like the Thar Roxx are designed for off-road use and towing. If you don't plan to do those things, a crossover might be a better choice.
The Roxx isn't as comfortable or smooth as other cars meant for city driving, like the Creta. It can be noisy and the ride isn't very smooth.
If you're looking for an SUV, make sure it fits your needs. Buying one just for city use is like getting a TV for listening to music; a dedicated speaker will do better.

Don't Confuse Need and Timeline in Sales

Kartick’s Blog • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25

💼 Business Sales Marketing Customer Relations Business strategy Consumer behavior

In sales, it's important to recognize the difference between a customer's need for a product and their timeline for buying it. Some people might need something now but are not ready to buy right away.
Salespeople often mistakenly try to convince customers who have already expressed a need that the product is good, instead of focusing on when the customer plans to make the purchase.
Understanding the BANT criteria in sales, which stands for Budget, Authority, Need, and Timeline, can help clarify these distinctions and improve sales strategies.

How to Monetize a Cult Following: Lessons from MrBeast and Notion

Divinations • 0 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25

💼 Business Marketing Entrepreneurship Consumer behavior Branding Growth Strategies

A cult following is about belief, not size. Fans are deeply engaged and support the brand like it's part of their identity.
To monetize your following, create products that involve fans and allow them to participate in your community. It's about building relationships rather than just selling stuff.
Keep your core product strong and control it closely, while letting the surrounding community and ecosystem thrive. This helps maintain loyalty and manage growth.