Trends that are Sure to Change Consumerism in 2021

2020 was certainly a tough year for retailers and consumerism is sure to continue to change as we move toward the 2021 calendar year.

We’ve faced down the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and are now looking at the next calendar year.  You can certainly expect to have a different feeling than ever before because of the virus and the ways that businesses had to change to keep their heads above water.

Virtual Experiences Will Continue to Grow

Expect to find more virtual experiences that you can enjoy from home as we flip the calendar. While the pandemic is still with us and many countries are locking down more places than ever, we will have to continue to enjoy an escape from reality through the experiences that are offered through virtual media offerings that have become more popular than ever.

We were already spending a lot of time enjoying virtual experiences before the pandemic, but our consumerism nature will lead us to consume even more of these items as we move to the next year. Whether you purchase a set of VR goggles and enjoy an escape room experience, a virtual beach vacation, or some of the other experiences being offered, the growth of virtual engagement is going to continue to be a large part of our world.

Artificial Intelligence is More Intelligent

We already know that AI is used to offer us ads and engagement online that allow us to see things that are related to the online searches we’re enjoying. The behavior will continue to adapt to digital shopping and is expected to increase. The relationship between artificial intelligence and consumerism is greater than ever before, making it much easier for you to find everything you want right from the comforts of home.

Traditional retailers that don’t embrace AI and e-commerce are likely to shut down and be left behind. The staff of stores will soon need to adapt to being warehouse workers that are employed to fill orders that come from online shopping. As AI improves, you may have the opportunity to try an item virtually before trying it. Some items already offer this, which makes it much easier to buy items you know are right for you.

Discounters are on the Rise

Regardless of how much we try to do from home, we still need to venture out at times and try to take advantage of great discounts in person. Food discounters such as Aldi and Lidl have grown in the past few years and during the lockdown. These locations continue to be where many people are going to find the items they are looking for when they want to save money on the items they want to buy.

Consumers are becoming more price-savvy and beginning to realize that most branded items aren’t worth the additional cost of simply having a recognizable name on them. If you know what you’re buying and can trust the quality, regardless of the brand, you’ll be pleased to have the items that you know will fulfill your needs and save you money at the same time.

The Growth of the Digital Economy

More of our world is digitized and most of us now engage in some form of online gaming. Whether you’re playing a game for a few minutes a day or once a week, you’ll have the experience you want when you go online. More digital experiences are being offered than ever before and gaming systems are as popular as they have ever been. The rise of subscription-based experiences is evident as we turn to a digital world for our entertainment.

Streaming Engagement

Where are you finding the shows you love to watch? Today, you’re more likely to find them on streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. There are now some service-specific shows that are exclusive to that service. If you want to see these shows or movies, you need to have a subscription to enjoy the same entertainment as everyone else. We are paying for more of these services and turning our back on cable more often today.

Consumerism Continues to Grow for 2021

Don’t expect consumerism to slow down because of the pandemic, simply expect it to shift with these trends. Whether we engage more with the streaming services we use, enjoy the digitized economy and gaming offered, or do most of our shopping online, it’s easy to see the movement toward more virtual experiences as we flip the calendar to the next year.