News 09.01.2025

Need to Know

Insights from CES 2025, weight-loss medications like Ozempic are already reducing grocery spending and The Future Laboratory’s 2025 events calendar.

CES 2025 daily recap: High-tech luxury, smart textiles and wellbeing wear

Myant, Canada

US – Day two of CES 2025 saw panels unpack the opportunities in technology for the luxury sector as part of the event's new fashion and beauty conference track.

In a conversation titled ‘Tech Meets Luxury: Innovation in the French Fashion Industry’, Comité Colbert CEO Benedicte Epinay and Bain & Company executive vice president Joëlle de Montgolfier outlined operational excellence and customer engagement as the two key use cases for technology in the luxury sector.

Epinay described the luxury industry as, ‘a very versatile industry able to move and adapt to new trends, consumers and technologies,’ but pointed to the difficulties in meeting the high standards of luxury consumers who expect flawless and discreet technology in stores.

However, she also pointed out that the industry’s adoption of AI has allowed the brick-and-mortar store to ‘regain its status as a cornerstone of brand expression’ with its role changing from a place of purchase to a place where customers can experience and immerse themselves in the world of the brand, a topic we previously analysed in Third Space Retail. 

In ‘How will technology redefine the future of luxury,’ Revolve CMO Divya Mathur outlined the huge impact virtual try-on technology will have on shopping. ‘Return rates plague the industry,’ she said, detailing how reducing the need to buy five dresses to keep one will be a massive win for brands’ EBITDAs and sustainability credentials.

On the show floor, winner of the ‘Best of Innovation’ CES 2025 award Myant showcased Osmotex: Active Electroosmotic Membrane Jackets which use a controllable 'textile pump' to match human sweat rates and to dry itself even against heavy rain or water columns. The brand also presented Skiin Generation 2, a continuous medical-grade remote monitoring device that offers metrics such as ECG, cuffless blood pressure, breathing pattern and volume, core body temperature, posture and sleep quality, woven into the fabric of a chest strap or armband. Find out more about fashion’s evolution into Wellbeing Wear here. 

Strategic opportunity

Luxury brands should integrate AI-driven solutions into brand logistics to optimise inventory management, reduce returns and streamline back-end operations, enabling front-of-house employees to focus on delivering elevated, personalised experiences that enhance brand prestige

L’Oréal unveils Cell BioPrint to predict skin issues before they appear

L’Oréal Cell BioPrint, Las Vegas, US L’Oréal Cell BioPrint, Las Vegas, US
L’Oréal Cell BioPrint, Las Vegas, US L’Oréal Cell BioPrint, Las Vegas, US

Global – At CES 2025, L’Oréal has introduced Cell BioPrint, a pioneering device capable of predicting skin issues before they become visible, offering personalised skin analysis in just five minutes.

Developed in collaboration with South Korean start-up NanoEntek, Cell BioPrint uses proteomics and lab-on-a-chip technology to examine biomarkers beneath the skin’s surface. A facial tape strip is used to collect samples from the cheek, allowing the device to measure specific protein biomarkers and provide insights into skin health.

‘The ability to foresee skin issues before they appear is a game-changer in personalised beauty,’ said Guive Balooch, L’Oréal global head of Research and Innovation’s Tech Incubator, in a statement. 

By identifying biological age and future concerns, Cell BioPrint aims to reduce the trial-and-error process often associated with skincare routines. The tool will be launched in Asia later this year, marking the first step in bringing this technology to consumers. 

For more insights on cellular care, head to our Longevity Lifestyles macrotrend report. 

Strategic opportunity

Explore how personalised, data-driven insights can inform the creation of tailored skincare, supplements or haircare products

Stat: GLP-1 medications are reshaping grocery spending and food trends

Wholesome, Australia Wholesome, Australia

US – GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are gaining widespread popularity, and their influence extends beyond health to reshape grocery spending and consumer behaviour.

A recent US study by Cornell University and Numerator highlights households with at least one GLP-1 user cut grocery spending by 6% within six months, with higher-income households reducing spending by nearly 9%. This translates to an average annual reduction of £336 ($416, €404) per household, rising to £558 ($690, €670) for those earning over £101,045 ($125,000, €121,380). 

The biggest impact has been on calorie-dense, processed foods. Spending on snacks like crisps, biscuits and baked goods fell by 11% in some cases. While there was a slight increase in purchases of fresh produce and yoghurt, researchers found that overall, grocery baskets became healthier due to reductions in unhealthy items. 

Companies like Nestlé and Conagra are responding. Nestlé has launched GLP-1-friendly products under its Vital Pursuit line, while Conagra has introduced Healthy Choice meals labelled for weight-loss users. Morgan Stanley predicts the global obesity drug market will reach £85bn ($105bn, €102bn) by 2030. 

For more insights on GLP-1 weight loss drugs and the side-effect economy, read our Future Forecast 2025: Sports, Health & Wellness report, specifically the Ozempic Outcomes and Economic Effects section, and our Neozempic Futures report.  

Strategic opportunity 

Tailor grocery store offerings for GLP-1 users by curating dedicated product lines that feature portion-controlled, GLP-1-friendly options. Include educational nutrition guidance to empower customers to make informed, health-conscious choices 

Download: 2025 Events Calendar

Daisy Chain Studio for The Future Laboratory, UK

This year, we have a full line-up of new reports, events and webinars at The Future Laboratory covering what is new and next in your industry. Download our full events calendar for 2025 here.

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