Although consumer behavior had been evolving prior to the pandemic, the crisis prompted a surge in new shopper behaviors. Whether they were unable to find their favorite brands on the shelf or were looking for less expensive options due to changing economic situations, consumers began shifting brands at unprecedented rates.

The world has endured great change as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Habits that had already begun to form have accelerated, and the way we go about our lives will never be quite the same. In this article, we take a look at three trends that have risen to the forefront in the past year and how they'll continue to impact our lives going forward.

Over the past year, the pandemic has thrown a wrench into even the best-laid of plans. For those looking to purchase or lease a new vehicle, it's no different. According to the 2021 Deloitte Global Automotive Consumer Study, 34% of Americans have been forced to either accelerate or slow their auto purchasing plans due to the pandemic.

As vaccine roll-out efforts continue to gain momentum, there are signs of hope for a return to normalcy in 2021. Consumers across the country are looking forward to resuming their typical day-to-day activities, but comfort levels can vary drastically from one person to the next. Below, we take a look at nine things to know about where consumers stand on the return to normal this year.

While the world of virtual experiences has offered a blank canvas for creativity and an opportunity to reach massive crowds of people from afar, the desire for in-person experiences — and the connection that comes with them — won't be going away. That's why the future will be about hybrid event experiences.

With the success that brands and marketers have seen through leveraging social media giants like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, there’s always great attention paid to new entrants to the social conversation. Last year, TikTok truly exploded in the United States, which has caused the platform to go mainstream and led to rich opportunity for brand marketers.

When the pandemic struck last year, brands and marketers with plans for in-person experiences had to pivot quickly. Though the inability to host live events presented many challenges, it also served as an innovation incubator that brought virtual events to the forefront. 

Much to the dismay of athletes and fitness enthusiasts, gym closures and confinement to the home has greatly disrupted their routines. However, just as consumers have adapted to the other challenges of the pandemic, so, too, have they found ways to exercise from the comforts of home. In turn, these changes in behavior have ushered in a new era of fitness. As we look forward through 2021, let's take a look at the ways the world of health and fitness continues to rapidly transform. 

With many consumers avoiding gyms for the time being — or unable to access them altogether — they’re resorting to the great outdoors and makeshift home gym setups to get their exercise in. Running, in particular, has been one of the most popular forms of exercise during the pandemic, with a Trend Insight survey indicating that 61% of fitness consumers have done so in recent months. In this infographic, we take a look at avid runners, their habits, and their needs from a consumer perspective amidst the pandemic.

Throughout the course of the pandemic, governments, businesses, and everyday people have been forced to adapt to the changing reality on a seemingly constant basis. While every year brings change in the way we go about our lives, 2020 was a year in which trends accelerated at a rapid pace. Below, we take a look at some of the trends that have taken hold in the food and beverage industry and discuss how they will evolve moving forward in 2021.