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Project Yellow Canteen uses yellow paint to repel flies

Yellow Canteen, Indonesia

Indonesia – If colour in living spaces can positively affect mental health, Project Yellow Canteen demonstrates how savvy use of colour can improve physical health too. The corporate social responsibility project, carried out by creative agency Innocean Indonesia and paint producer Dulux, aims to make dining rooms healthier and safer in school canteens across Indonesia.

Due to the hot and humid climate, open spaces like school canteens in Indonesia are prone to droves of flies, representing a health hazard as they carry diseases including typhoid fever, cholera and more. Drawing on research that showed that flies avoid the colour yellow, the project experimented with painting tables, benches and walls in yellow. The pilot experiment was successful in confirming the efficacy of yellow’s fly-repelling powers, prompting Dulux to decorate dining spaces in more schools.

Project Yellow Canteen makes the case for simple yet innovative preventative solutions. Repelling flies and brightening school canteens in the process, the initiative echoes the increasing demand for collective public health solutions, explored in the Urban Wellness Market.

Strategic opportunity

This project is a prime example of the effectiveness of using aesthetics for tangible health benefits. Consider how your business – whether it is the work environment, products or services – could enhance collective wellbeing without compromising on design

Thai spa launches Blue Zone-inspired longevity retreat

Blue Zones Group Retreat, Kamalaya, Thailand

Thailand – Kamalaya, a holistic spa and wellness sanctuary on Koh Samui in Thailand, is launching a Blue Zone group wellness retreat for guests to discover the secrets to longevity and wellbeing from the world’s longest-living regions.

Blue zones are regions across the world such as Okinawa, Japan, and Ikaria, Greece, with high rates of centenarians and low rates of chronic disease. While Koh Samui is not a blue zone itself, the retreat has been designed in collaboration with the official Blue Zones organisation and draws on 20 years of research into these zones and the factors contributing to long, healthy and happy lives.

For six nights in May 2024, guests will undertake a programme filled with meditation, movement, massage, cooking classes and nutritional guidance sessions, in addition to activities such as tea ceremonies, walks, local temple tours and games nights.

By collaborating with Blue Zones, Kamalaya is setting the standard for a new genre of wellness retreats focused on longevity over rejuvenation or relaxation. This is a smart move as interest in Longevity Lifestyles grows and improving and elongating lifespans becomes the mainstay of the wellness industry.

Strategic opportunity

Hospitality venues such as spas, gyms and hotels should consider incorporating the key lifestyle concepts of the Blue Zones into their offerings to elevate wellness credentials and appeal to health-conscious consumers

KIKI World creates NFC-embedded press-on nails

Chipped by Kiki, US

Global – KIKI World, a beauty brand embracing crowdsourced product development, has introduced Chipped, a range of NFC-embedded press-on nails. Breaking free from the conventional exchange of contact information, Chipped nails enable wearers to effortlessly share their details with a simple tap.

Each set of Chipped nails features built-in NFC chips akin to those in contactless credit cards. Before application, users pair the NFC chips with their smartphones, linking them to their KIKI World profiles, which can seamlessly integrate with social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn and Telegram.

In a collaborative effort with Winny.eth, a blockchain consultant and early KIKI World member, Chipped aligns with KIKI’s co-creation ethos, determined by customer polls. Users even get to vote on the initial colour release, with options like the iridescent Celestial, lavender Miuccia and fiery orange Feu. Chipped emerges as a stylish and tech-savvy alternative to traditional business cards, reflecting KIKI World’s commitment to innovation especially among younger users who are more tech-literate, as revealed in Neo-wealth Wears.

Strategic opportunity

Gen Z hate hassle, so brands should take a cue from KIKI World’s press-on nails and consider how to integrate technology into everyday products that offer younger audiences streamlined, multi-level experiences

Stat: UK and US adults admit using cannabis or alcohol to sleep better

Veri, Finland

US, UK – In its Snooze Report released in October 2023, meditation and sleep app Calm suggests that US and UK consumers struggle to get a good night’s sleep to such an extent that they use conventional and unconventional sleep aids.

Based on a survey of 9,500 adults aged 18–65 living in 10 cities in the US and 10 cities in the UK, Calm concludes that over half (55%) of consumers surveyed turn to medication, cannabis or alcohol to sleep better. Over three in four say they do not want to depend on sleep aids, but almost half (42%) can’t sleep without them.

The report highlights the impact of poor sleep on mental health, with 78% of respondents agreeing that their quality of sleep affects their mental health. More than two in three adults (69%) also said they need over seven hours of sleep to improve their mental health.

Hinting at opportunities for health and wellness services to enable better sleep, the report also reveals that almost three in four surveyed are open to trying new things to improve their sleep (73%).

As explored in our analysis of the Sleep Enhancement Market, brands are answering consumers’ need for the perfect night’s rest by turning to technology, sound and space innovations.

Strategic opportunity

As an alternative to medication, cannabis and alcohol, food and drink brands should consider how to develop new products designed as sleep aids for consumers and promoted as healthier alternatives