Consumers in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, are adopting new trends  in shopping and preferences as they emerged more perceptive post-pandemic, according to a new study. A study Trendipedia 2023 by Tetra Pak, a world-leading processing and packaging solutions company, monitors changes in consumer behavior, identifying and analyzing interesting consumer trends and opportunities for businesses in the food and beverage industry to take advantage of. According to the latest annual report, the main trends in Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, and Indonesia are ‘Flexi-shopping’, ‘In Control’, and ‘Eatertainment’. On flexi-shopping, this trend refers to consumers that are living with a flexible mindset, cutting back where needed but treating themselves occasionally, especially where there are perceived additional benefits around health or sustainability. “Despite rising inflation, Southeast Asian consumers say that health benefits and natural ingredients are more important factors than price, in determining if the food or beverage is of good value. Here, the ready-to-drink (RTD) category provides consumers with a convenient, accessible, and affordable way to drink beverages. This category continues to be popular due to its convenience and health-conscious varieties, supporting consumers with health-focused lifestyles,” said John Jose, marketing director of Tetra Pak Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, and Indonesia. In terms of control, this trend refers to how consumers are using the way they eat and drink to bring a feeling of control to their lives. The choice of whether to indulge or moderate their consumption can help people take their physical health into their own hands. In recent times, consumers have been embracing plant-based options in their diet to support a healthy living, and this trend shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, the global plant-based beverage category is predicted to experience a remarkable growth rate of 1.9 percent by 2024.  This increase is a strong indicator that consumers are seeking healthier and sustainable options, and plant-based beverages are the answer. On Eatertainment, the study stated that while connecting with like-minded people, some are looking to be entertained as they dare to try new flavors, recipes, and trends from cyberspace. The food community is filled with Gen Zs, gamified, and creative consumers, empowered by social media. In Singapore, 54 percent of millennials and 53 percent of gen Z experienced virtual gaming and played immersive open-world video games .“To reach new segments of consumers, brands should consider exploring online and entertainment platforms that are growing in popularity. Social platforms such as TikTok have become a source of recipe inspiration for consumers to discover, experiment and share their food experiences. Moreover, social influencers and content creators play a key role in spreading information about the latest food trends,” added Jose. Other major trends identified under the year’s five themes include ‘Life Hacks’, ‘Replenish and Repair’, ‘Climatarianism’, ‘Green Clarity’, ‘Un-masking Identities’, ‘Evolving Spaces’. The 2023 Trendipedia report will be shared with Tetra Pak’s customers to ensure they are onboard with the latest consumer shifts in consumer trends. Tetra Pak is a world leading food processing and packaging solutions company, employing 25,000 employees around the world. The company is an advocate of a sustainable approach to business.