January 18, 2023
Discover our learnings from CES 2023 and how themes such as sustainability and access to technology will shape brands connections to their consumers.
Katie Scherer - Sr. Account Executive | Maeve Casey - Sr. Account Executive
The 2023 CES show in Las Vegas debuted a wide range of buzz-worthy technology that will shape the consumer electronics space in the year to come. While some of the technology may seem like prototypes with a distant launch in the consumer space, brands can find value in understanding how these trends affect their business and then adapt strategies to capitalize on them in their infancy.
The smart home takeover
In 2022, the launch of Matter 1.0 standardized the way smart home products work together. Major players are participating in this new platform, removing the friction in purchasing products from multiple brands. This new standard has caused a surge in smart home advancements and more connected ecosystems than ever before.
Why this matters
Matter will lead to a new standard of expectation from consumers. Brands will not only need to adopt this platform, but they will also need to find a way to provide differentiation and value through simplifying and enhancing the experience for their consumers.
The sustainable footprint to the future
A theme that was threaded among brands was that sustainable technology is designed for the consumer’s lifestyle.
Why this matters
Consumers are becoming increasingly savvy and will prioritize some brands over others depending on their sustainability efforts. Brands should not only pull together a sustainability plan, but weave their practices into play with the products they sell.
The in-car technology revolution
The car cabin is evolving to include more digital, immersive and connected experiences. Traditional car brands are working closely with tech companies to incorporate advancements such as augmented reality, telematics, driver assistance and premium entertainment.
Why this matters
The new players entering technology spaces will cause market disruption as they steal consumers from traditional brands. Brands should be considering how their organization uses technology to chase new business models outside their status quo.
The buzzworthy AI personalization
CES shared how brands are adapting AI into their technology offerings to infuse personalization into their consumers daily lives.
Why this matters
Consumers are getting personalized experiences at home, online and even with their food. Brands should leverage AI to provide relevant experiences, such as chatbots for customized product education and help.
The world of XR and virtual commerce
Virtual reality devices infiltrated the CES show floor. A common theme was how extended reality will drive advancements in commerce, health, social connection and more — and this technology is not going away anytime soon.
Why this matters
XR technology will continue to find practical uses in areas outside of gaming and consumer entertainment. As 3D graphics advance and headsets become more mainstream, virtual stores will be a key retail strategy in 2023. Brands should keep a pulse on XR advancements and explore the feasibility of creating virtual shopping experiences.
Though these displays might not feel like an immediate representation within the retail environment, these are topics that consumers will expect to see moving forward — especially if brands find a way to make all these innovations affordable.
Understanding trends like these, even in the conceptual and prototype stage, is incredibly important to brands future business strategies. It’s also central to what the experts on our emerging technology team think about every day here at MERGE.
To learn more about MERGE’s experiential and emerging technologies capabilities, drop us a line.
