Trends

Trends

Demographic/Generational

* Rapid aging population and changing family structure

* Generation Y coming through as a dominate buying force

* Exposure to technology happening earlier in life

Geographical Trends

* Cities are spreading and therefore travel time to and from work is increasing

* Increase in air travel has allowed people to visit and relocate to other countries

* The threat of terrorism has resulted in borders becoming tighter and visa's/immigration becoming more secure

Social Trends

* Growing trend of online social networks and the demise of the local community group

* Equality between men and women has increased pressure on females to be able to have a career and look after a family

* Change in family dynamics has seen the modern family unit move away from a traditional family structure of two parents and two children

* There is a growing trend for lower and middle class consumers to aspire to and purchase luxury products previously considered only for the upper class

* The life cycle in the 21st century has slowed down due to the extended life expectancy allowing people to put off marriage and children to later in life

Economic and Work trends

* Rise in purchasing power in the last decade has allowed for more disposable income, this is the result of Australia's improvement in trade agreements with other countries

* The current value of the Australian dollar has resulted in imported goods becoming cheaper and the ability to buy products from overseas more likely

* In 2005-2006 there was a distinct increase in disposable income and as a result this increased the consumer consumption nationally

* Housing affordability has decreased and first home buyers are more likely to continue to rent or return to their family home to save money

* International working relationships