With an official recession looming, what types of innovative products and services will attract consumers?
Will they gravitate more toward free, online apps such as Google Documents rather than buy the latest version of Word if they need it, for example?
Will they be purchasing beautifully designed laptops such as the MacBook Air? Or looking for lower price tags and high value above design value above all else when making computer purchases?
And how about efforts to use design to attract customers to a brand? Will Target start seeing increased sales of their limited-edition designer clothing, or will customers gravitate to less-expensive basics?
Will fast-fashion stores such as H & M attract more people--the types who were attracted to "masstige"-driven, lower-priced lines of clothing and accessories by designers?
And how about auto purchases? Will design still be a draw for car-buyers in a recession?
It seems to me that a recession could actually spark some true innovation in terms of design, as far as use of less expensive and more durable materials, or perhaps the development of new services and software, or even gadgets and goods that defy quick obsolescence and offer updates or add-ons that might help consumers save money. And will such items be marketed as such, as recession-friendly and easy on the wallet, rather than the coolest, must-have things?
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