The development of sensor technology has launched many different technology devices in the past decade. From FitBits to iWatches, the technology we see in these small devices is, simply put, incredible. As the technology becomes more accessible, we are seeing more and more industries getting involved with not just smart wearable devices, but smart apparel.

Unity Marketing's look at the five most important trends for marketers targeting the U.S. affluent customer in 2015

2015 is shaping up to be a challenging year for luxury marketers, following last year, which wasn't particularly bright for luxury brands worldwide. Newly-affluent Chinese consumers cut back on luxury indulgences, and affluents in many Euro countries were impacted by a downturn in macroeconomic forces. Japan, the world's number two market for luxury, remains caught up in a long-standing recession, which only deepened at the end of 2014. And, while the U.S. economy looks stronger on paper, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the government agency that calculates the GDP, just reported that consumer spending declined by .3% in December, despite reported growth in personal income and disposable income. That means one thing: consumers are saving their gains, rather than spending them.

Unity Marketing's look at the most important trends for marketers targeting the U.S. affluent customer

In recent blog posts, we’ve explored the top trends shaping the luxury market in 2015. The overriding trend that will impact all marketers at the high-end is that affluents have settled into a mood of austerity. One way that affluents' austere mood is expressed is in a new style of shopping which trends toward mass rather than 'class,' and preference for premium, rather than heritage luxury brands.

Customer loyalty programs are one of the fastest growing marketing techniques among various different industries. American Airlines was one of the first companies to launch a successful loyalty program in 1981, and since then, loyalty programs have only increased in popularity and diversity. Because such programs are so common, not to mention the number of types of loyalty programs to choose from, it is important that you use market research to help you understand which program works best for your organization.

Unity Marketing's look at the five most important trends for marketers targeting the U.S. affluent customer in 2015

The American affluent shoppers – those with the money that affords them the opportunity to buy luxury goods – are caught under a dark cloud of austerity. In my last blog post, Affluent Austerity: Top Trends Shaping the Luxury Consumer Market in 2015, the trend toward affluent austerity was explored. It is this trend that is giving rise to the second most important luxury trend for 2015:  Affluent consumers are expressing luxury in a brand new style.

New technologies and trends are projected to make big changes in the retail and consumer goods industry for 2015. Trends are going to change the customer experience both in store and from home. Some of the biggest trends include: product customization, increased self-serve options, industry crossover, and increased mobile app usage.

Even with all the different traditions and customs, one thing remains consistent during the holiday season: consumers shop. For almost all retailers, the end of the year holiday shopping brings in the biggest profits all year long. Presents, decorations, food, and many more items are purchased in abundance to prep for days spent with families and gifts for loved ones.

Unity Marketing's look at the five most important trends for marketers targeting the U.S. affluent customer in 2015

The United States affluent consumer has never been more important to luxury brands worldwide. While the BRIC developing country markets for luxury (i.e. Brazil, Russia, India, China) grab all the headlines, the United States is by every measure the market that counts the most. The U.S. has eleven times more millionaires than China -- 11.53 million in 2013 according to the Federal Reserve Board vs. 1 million in China, as reported by Shanghai-based Hurun Research Institute.  

This season has seen the introduction of many new marketing trends for Black Friday. The news has covered the rumors of many stores’ plans for products, hours, and deals. Because of the hype and increased competition surround this single shopping day, it’s important for retailers to create great marketing strategies for Black Friday weekend. It is a mark for the kickoff of holiday shopping, and for many companies, it’s the biggest sales day of the year. Researching what consumers are looking for can make or break a company’s Black Friday success.

Cat products account for over a third of sales in the CAN$2 billion Canadian pet products market, and Canadian cat owners are fully in step with the pet pampering and product premiumization trends that have long characterized the U.S. market. By some measures, in fact, Canadian cats are more than a whisker ahead. According to pet owner surveys conducted by Packaged Facts over the April to June 2014 period, 30% of Canadian cat owners purchase cat food formulations that feature poultry or meat as the first ingredient, compared with 19% of U.S. cat owners.