A growing trend for 2009 is Nichetributes, the power of making products and services relevant by incorporating “attributes” and features that cater to distinct consumer lifestyles and situations.For example, glove designers know that their customers need to keep their hands warm, but still want dexterity to dial their cell phone. Enter Dots, knit gloves with metal dots on the fingertips that don’t scratch iPhones, iPods or other touch-screen devices. Another brand bares only the wearer's index finger and thumb, and a third offers the first hands-free cell phone glove for winter sports.
Nichetributes are about tailoring a product to a specific audience. It's about integrating the "now" into your activities and being relevant to your customers in an environment that has never been more about the "now" than, well, now.Nichetributes often can be created at low costs — it's really about understanding your customers’ needs. Anything practical and useful will be accepted and, when a brand cares about its customers' interests, it will be met with appreciation and goodwill.
Adapted from trendwatching.com’s January 2009 article, "Half a Dozen Consumer Trends for 2009."