The way we live is changing. Mintel’s new “Global Consumer Trends 2025” report shows how people rethink their homes, connections, and traditions in response to a more uncertain world.

Homes are becoming less about perfection and more about comfort. Rising costs mean fewer big renovations and more small upgrades, with 79% of UK consumers favouring the latter.

In the US, 37% of adults reorganize their spaces to feel more relaxed.

For many, home is about adaptability. Sunderland in the UK showcased a smart home filled with assistive tech, including AI-driven curtains and refillable dog bowls. However, affordability remains a distant dream for 51% of Americans who don’t own a home.

Communities, too, are being redefined. The pandemic heightened feelings of loneliness, and now people are finding new ways to connect.

Hybrid communities blend physical and digital spaces, offering local engagement and online interactions.

Brands are stepping in to help foster connections. Heineken turned laundromats in South Korea into late-night sports bars. Taco Bell’s “early retirement” Cantinas created vibrant, playful spaces for anyone craving connection and fun.

The numbers back this up: 91% of UK consumers say social activities help them bond with others and 71% of Argentinians value community support. But while technology enables connection, people worry it might deepen isolation.

Traditions are also in transition. Climate change, technology, and generational shifts reshape how people approach the familiar. 

78% of Japanese adults stress the importance of preparing for uncertainties, and Ambev in Brazil halted beer production to distribute water during floods.

Technology is changing expectations. While 63% of Americans fear AI is replacing human jobs, 51% of Brits see tech improving health outcomes.

Meanwhile, new trends in beauty, like weight-loss drugs, are prompting calls for more transparency and safety.

Even tourism is evolving. In Copenhagen, eco-conscious tourists are rewarded for activities like cycling instead of driving. It’s part of a growing push to make sustainability an everyday priority, not just an option.