Q1 Consumer Trend Report

Decadent Maximalism

Millennials and Gen Zers are embracing the decades of decadence. They’re searching for bolder multi-colored jewelry, convenient simple pleasures, and joymaxxing. Consumers want to add luxury any way they can from fine jewelry to faster food delivery.

Bright + Chunky / 80s / Y2K / Decadence / Joymaxxing 

Pinterest search terms YoY:

• Maximalist accessories: +105%
• 80s luxury: +225%

What it means: 

1. Brighter and bolder colors and silhouettes 

2. Assets that evoke 80s and Y2K nostalgia and ease

3. Leaning into loud(r) aesthetics

The Resurgence of “Real”

Every new technology brings opinions on that new technology and consumers are no different. With the rise of AI, consumers want to know what is real, what is artificial, and how they can use it to make their lives better. 

Touch Grass / Adventure / AI Art / Sora / Chat GPT

Pinterest search terms YoY:

• alien core aesthetic +80%
• adventure tourism +75%

As of early 2026, roughly 37% of consumers now start their searches with AI, not Google.

What it means: 

1. Tagging social content with #AI when posting

2. Analyzing consumer preferences for content creation

3. Use AI as a tool for art, not as the artist

4. Lean into the zest of living AND the fantastical of AI

Example: Coca-Cola’s winter commercial used AI for their last 2 winter commercials to mixed reviews

Example: Apple TV’s new intro was created with exclusively practical effects to huge applause from viewers.

Verticals: The Next IP Frontier

As of January 2026 Tiktok has 1.9 billion monthly active users and TikTokShop is projected to exceed over $20 billion in US Sales in 2026. More and more brands are creating vertical content to capitalize on social stories' rapid growth. It’s not just about flash in the pan virality, but building new stories, IP, and brand devotion.

FYP / 9:16 / Microdrama / Romance Tropes / Brain rot

Vertical Stories YoY:

• For actors in America, 90% of the jobs on major casting platforms are verticals

• Revenues in the sector are up 8,000% year-on-year

What it means: 

1. Investing in content capturing that works for vertical platforms

2. Creating narrative stories, participating in trends, and pioneering social content

3. Exploring TikTokShop integrations