Food & Drink
Explore the holistic future of food and drink with our range of services
Food & Drink Sectors
In 2021, the food and drink sector continued to evolve at a rapid rate. Covid-19 has transformed our diets, from the way food is produced to the way it is accessed, consumed and shared. In addition to highlighting the vulnerabilities of the global food system, the pandemic has, in many ways, humanised how we view food and drink.
From the rise of augmented reality restaurants to start-ups creating next- generation sugars, discover the trends that push progressive thinking in the food and drink sectors.
Image credits: Victoria Ling for The Future Laboratory; Nour Play With Your Food, TJ Hughes
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Trends Intelligence
More than 300 members use LS:N Global to stay ahead of the curve and keep up with tomorrow’s big changes affecting the retail industry.
Did you know you can subscribe to access our Food & Drink sector? The sector-specific packages start at just £100 per month.
Become a member of LS:N Global to read the full trends below.
Redemptive Diets:
Brands and consumers are uniting to build future-fit food systems that support changing social values, protect precious resources and secure supply chains.Total Tastes:
The food-as-medicine movement is being rebranded to fit modern lifestyles, balancing flavour and function to shape our physical and psychological states.Frivolous Foods:
The visual definition of nourishment is evolving to celebrate a less sterile approach that combines nostalgia, escapism and pleasure.On-demand Farms:
The farm-to-table movement is going direct-to-consumer as farmers and small-batch producers embrace livestreaming, digital tools and platforms for fulfilment.Eco To Go:
Packaging innovators are targeting the food delivery sector with re-usable and earth-friendly alternatives to single-use cartons and boxes.Home Eatertainment:
Changing dining dynamics have created a new convenience culture focused on elevating the experience and enjoyment of eating and drinking at home.High-tech Sugars:
As consumers, companies and governing bodies shun sugar, innovations and next-generation sweeteners are blending nutrition with science and technology.Online Event
In 2022, we’ll take a closer look at how future-fit food systems and new technologies will transform the sector. As consumers continue to realign their social beliefs to fit their dietary requirements, brands will need to respond, refocusing on niche communities, ingredients and experiences.
Join us to uncover the next frontier for food and drink. You can buy tickets for just £60, or join The Future Laboratory community and get inside access to our full programme of online events taking place in 2022.
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Download Our Trend Reports
Our trend reports include market analysis, trends rising, case studies and consumer insights to help you mitigate risks and seize opportunities for food and drink success in the years ahead. Become a member of LS:N Global to access all reports.
Redemptive Diets
In 2021 the focus is shifting towards future-proofing brand operations through better engagement with global communities
As what, where and how we eat and drink responds to global upheaval, new opportunities are emerging
A new sense of purpose is revolutionising the food and drink sector
An exclusive glance into the homes and mindsets of your future food and drink consumers
Changing the narrative on how we source food
The trends, consumer tribes and innovations shaping the future of food and drink
Strategic Services
For those of you wondering what food & drink trends are going to have the biggest impact on your business over the coming years, our Strategy team are here to help.
At The Future Laboratory, our strategic solution is a simple one: to equip you with the tools, techniques and cultural insights that allow you to navigate change, unlock opportunity and thrive in a world of continuous uncertainty.
Our strategists do this by harnessing the combined power of LS:N Global and our Foresight Research System to better understand future consumer behaviour and how you can implement these insights in ways that drive short-, medium- and long-term growth.
Find out how you can use our Strategic Services to future-proof your food & drink strategy.
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Virtual Presentations
Looking for ways to engage and motivate your team from the comfort of your own home? Book one of our world-class speakers to deliver a virtual presentation or workshop for your business. Discover our food & drink presentations below or get in touch to book something bespoke.
At a time of global upheaval, brands and consumers are uniting to build future-fit, resilient food systems that support changing social values, protect precious resources and secure supply chains.
Our Redemptive Diets macrotrend presentation is a call for new approaches and attitudes to food systems, examining the reasons why we eat – and how we should eat – companies and consumers will merge pro-people and planet practices with bold solutions. We teach you how to take a more flexible and values-driven approach to food innovation and experience.
It features key research and best-in-class case studies through the lens of Hindsight, Insight and Foresight.
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The food-as-medicine movement is being rebranded to fit modern lifestyles, balancing flavour and function to shape our physical and psychological states.
This presentation will help your brand move away from messaging and imagery that suggest that healthy habits mean you must restrict or subtract in order to feel good. It will inspire you to adopt a more holistic approach to food and drink, and become increasingly connected to the evolving definitions of wellness and self-care in the inter-Covid era.
It features key trends, hard data, best-in-class case studies, consumer insight and an exclusive sector macrotrend, Total Tastes.
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Today’s always-on customers demand seamless service, but the gap between their expectations and retailers’ responses is widening. As interactions become faster and shallower, brand loyalty is increasingly hard-won.
Our Future of Service virtual presentation will equip your team with the strategic tools to build enhanced, future-proof service offers that turn customers into life-long brand partners.
This presentation inspires innovation through thought-provoking insights, stimulating visuals and best-in-class case studies.
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Food & Drink Experts
The writers, researchers, analysts – and brains behind our research. Get in touch with our specialists if you are interested in discussing the research in more detail or if you have a press enquiry.
Christopher Sanderson is co-founder of The Future Laboratory, where he is responsible for delivering the company’s extensive global roster of conferences, media events and LS:N Global Trend Briefings, which he co-presents with the team in London, New York, Sydney, Melbourne, Stockholm and Helsinki. Clients who have booked one of his inspirational keynotes include Gucci Group, the European Travel Commission, Retail Week, Selfridges, M&S, Chanel, Harrods, Aldo and H&M.
Martin is editor-in-chief of LS:N Global, the online lifestyle news and consumer insight portal. Having written several books on trend forecasting, including The Trend Forecaster’s Handbook and The Tomorrow People, Martin contributes regularly as an expert on trends and business for the BBC, Channel 4 and ITV.
Kathryn joined The Future Laboratory in 2016, and is deputy editor of LS:N Global. Specialising in luxury, she also works on its fashion content and leads commissioning internal and external articles. She has previously written for publications including Adorn Insight, VO+, Retail Jeweller, Professional Jeweller and CityAM.
Savannah joined The Future Laboratory as a creative researcher in 2020, leading visual research and design for food and drink and retail content on LSNGlobal.com. Savannah is a regular contributor to LS:N Global's daily news and weekly articles, alongside leading visual research for a number of annual macrotrends and sector reports. She is also a member of The Future Laboratory's Diversity & Inclusion Taskforce and co-runs the company's Mental Health Network
Rachele plays a pivotal role in nurturing the Strategy team and developing the quality of our strategic thinking. With nearly 15 years of experience, she combines her creative background and strong commercial acumen to define and realise future strategies for brands such as Shiseido, lululemon, Jameson and The Chalhoub Group.
Louise is one of the lead strategists at The Future Laboratory. With over 12 years’ experience in brand and innovation strategy, she works closely with clients such as Dell, Sony, Selfridges and Gulfstream to identify inspiring and revolutionary opportunities for change, and to develop practical strategic frameworks that provide the blueprints for putting the future first.
Adam leads the team that creates bespoke reports and thought-leadership content for brands including Adidas, Volvo, Nespresso and IHG. Working across sectors, from retail and travel to finance, media and sport, Adam creates inspiring content that enables brands to develop leading strategies and disruptive innovations.
Rachael is responsible for leading research to identify and visually communicate global cultural trends across the lifestyle sectors, inspiring our clients to prepare for the future. As our fashion and retail expert, she speaks regularly at our events, and has worked on projects for clients such as Adidas and the British Fashion Council.
Darian creates tailored reports and thought-leading content across diverse industries. Unlocking future-facing strategies and new brand directions, Darian has written bespoke foresight reports for Jägermeister, Samsung and UBS. Before joining The Future Laboratory, she forecast fashion and youth lifestyle trends for Stylus.
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