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Boots and Anya Hindmarch bring everyday joy to the bathroom

Anya Hindmarch, UK

Insight -

UK – Anya Hindmarch has partnered with Boots on a limited-time beauty concept store on Pont Street in London and co-created a whimiscal essentials range.

Running until 8 March 2026, the pop-up is a 1970s-inspired homage to Boots’ pharmacy roots and draws from the retailer’s archives. Apothecary-style fixtures, retro tiling and vintage artefacts reimagine historic Boots stores.

At the centre of the installation is a limited-edition range of bathroom essentials priced between £5 ($6.70, €5.80) and £10 ($13.40, €11.50), combining Boots’ trusted formulations with Hindmarch’s signature eyes motif.

Two limited-edition wash bags inspired by vintage objects from the Boots archive will also be available in-store, alongside a new line-up of items featuring the branding of Berocca, Advil, Imperial Leather and Nurofen.

Created to bring ‘a little joy to the bathroom’, the range reflects demand for design-led products that elevate the everyday without pushing into luxury – a topic we explore in our Bougie Basics report.

Strategic opportunity

Design affordable, playful products that bring consumers small moments of joy, creating accessible entry points into luxury brands and turning heritage into experiences customers can engage with daily

Heinz redesigns packaging for mess-free eating on the move

US – Heinz has launched the Heinz Dipper, a fry carton with a built-in ketchup compartment, designed to reduce spills and make condiments easier to use outside traditional sit-down settings.

According to the company, 70% of ketchup and fry consumers have spilled sauce while dipping on the go, while 80% have considered skipping condiments altogether due to impractical packaging. By integrating the dip into the fry box, the brand has removed the need for separate sachets or sauce cups, creating a more contained and intuitive experience.

The innovation, now available at participating restaurants and sports stadiums in 11 countries, responds to changing eating habits, with more people eating in transit, at events or via drive-through formats.

‘The Heinz Dipper is a fun and relevant way to innovate to meet fans where they are and strengthen our role in their everyday lives,’ says Nina Patel, vice president, Global Heinz Brand.

The launch reflects a broader shift highlighted in The Future Laboratory’s Grab-and-Go Cuisine report, which tracks how convenience brands are rethinking formats, packaging and functionality to better suit mobile lifestyles.

Heinz, Global

Strategic opportunity

Observing how people use products intuitively – beyond their original design – can reveal hidden pain points and unmet needs. Tracking these behaviours allows brands to identify opportunities for innovation, including new formats, services or applications across categories

Stat: Gen Z rethink drinking as Dry January gains momentum

SHOR, US

US – Gen Z may not fit the stereotype of a sober generation, but many are re-assessing their relationship with alcohol. New data from EduBirdie, based on 2,000 American Gen Z participants, shows a cohort balancing social drinking norms with growing concerns about wellbeing, finances and control.

While 29% of Gen Z abstain from alcohol, 44% drink at least weekly and 8% almost daily; nearly half (47%) have questioned whether they drink too much. Alcohol-related consequences are common: 68% report mishaps including embarrassing photos (31%), injuries (29%) and even turning up to work drunk (19%).

Dry January is considered a reset moment. Almost a third (32%) plan to go alcohol-free and 28% are considering this option, driven by mental health concerns (63%) and financial motivations (57%).

What replaces alcohol matters. While 43% swap drinking for snacks and 28% turn to cannabis, many redirect time into healthier habits: 47% focus on sports or hobbies and 24% turn to meditation.

Gen Z is a paradoxical cohort. As highlighted in our Gen Z Wellness Rebellion report, cigarettes and cocktails have resurged as tools for control amid self-optimisation and wellness culture. Yet, at the same time, the sober-curious movement is on the rise as Gen Z seek alternatives to traditional nightlife, as examined in our Sober Social Fix report.

Strategic opportunity

Gen Z reject excess but resist absolutes. Consider creating flexible options such as mid-strengths and half measures that support consumer choice and moderation without demanding abstinence