With 2025 just around the corner, various industries are gearing up for transformative changes driven by technological advancements and shifting consumer behaviors. From beauty to technology, managed services, and human resources, businesses are poised to adapt to the new market trajectories predicted for this upcoming year.
Boots, the leading beauty retailer, has released its Beauty Trends Report for 2025, forecasting significant evolutions within the beauty market. According to Paul Niezawitowski, Boots’ Beauty Director, "2025 is set to be another transformative year for beauty at Boots." The report synthesizes data from over 16.9 million Boots Advantage Card customers, combined with expert trend analysis, shedding light on prospective consumer preferences and market trajectories.
One standout trend is the undeniable growth of digitally native beauty brands. With the demand for international beauty products soaring, it’s reported one Korean skincare product sells every 30 seconds at Boots, accounting for more than 10% of the British retailer's 'Everyday Skincare' sales. Surprisingly, 94% of beauty consumers still prefer shopping for cosmetics in-store, highlighting the importance of physical retail environments.
Intergenerational beauty advice is also on the rise, flipping the script on traditional wisdom. A notable 39% of parents have consulted their children for skincare insights, reflecting the influence of younger generations on beauty standards and preferences. Interestingly, there’s been a marked 14% increase of men engaging with beauty products at Boots within the last year.
Complementing these shifts are consumer habits indicating buyers are willing to invest across various price points, opting for both premium and budget products. Grace Vernon, Head of Global Trends and Cultural Insights at Boots and No7 Beauty Company, expressed, "It is such an exciting time to shop for beauty... it’s about investing in our present and future selves," underlining the industry’s growing focus on personal wellness.
Shifting gears to technology, the smartphone market is predicted to expand, with demand projected to surpass 1.2 billion units sold globally by the end of 2024, and experiencing 2% to 4% growth anticipated for 2025. Affordable smartphones and advancements driven by artificial intelligence are contributing substantially to this growth, positioning tech companies like Xiaomi and Samsung for potentially record-breaking sales.
On the frontier of managed service providers (MSPs), there’s anticipation of considerable evolution as organizations transform their service delivery models. Michael George, CEO of Syncro, acknowledged, "MSPs will increasingly leverage AI to detect anomalies... before they cause outages or system failures." The traditional reactive model is shifting toward more proactive and strategic approaches, as MSPs strive to deliver enhanced value and efficiency through automation and AI systems.
Cybersecurity remains top of mind as data breaches have skyrocketed, marking it as the highest priority for MSPs. Heightened security challenges necessitate investment in advanced cyber solutions to protect clients effectively. Likewise, industry consolidation is expected as businesses seek comprehensive solutions, prompting increased acquisitions and partnerships among MSPs as they attempt to remain competitive.
Merging marketing and revenue management is becoming increasingly necessary for hoteliers. The recent emphasis on maximizing event spaces and catering to experience-driven travelers highlights the pressing need for detailed planning and collaboration across teams. Enhanced data analytics tools are facilitating this cohesion.
Finally, trends within human resources are emphasizing the significance of employee well-being. Kelly Tucker, Founder and Managing Director of HR Star asserted, "The future of work is not a destination; it’s ajourney. Let’s embrace it together." With increasing integration of AI, organizations are encouraged to focus on upskilling employees and ensuring hybrid work models create equitable opportunities for all workers. The emphasis on mental health, flexibility, and inclusivity is shaping the workplace environment of the future.
Overall, as we anticipate the new year, adaptability across industries will be key to successfully riding the waves of change and capturing new opportunities across markets. From beauty trends driven by generational influences to the inevitable merging of healthcare and beauty tech, and the upgrade of workplace standards, 2025 is bound to be filled with innovations and adjustments propelling organizations toward fulfilling their prospective visions.