Fresh thinking, breakthrough products
Articles
What a Room Full of R&D Leaders Reinforced About the Future of Innovation
There was enormous warmth in the room, and it was very special to see established colleagues reconnecting while new relationships were being formed. Alongside the celebration, however, there was also a serious and important conversation taking place about the future of R&D. Listening to our keynote speakers, expert panel and…
The Future of Beverage R&D: Six Innovation Priorities That Will Shape the Next Five Years
The beverage industry is being fundamentally reshaped. Consumers no longer expect drinks simply to refresh them. They increasingly expect beverages to hydrate, energise, calm, support digestion, provide protein, replace alcohol or fit a healthier lifestyle. Taste remains essential, but function…
What AI, Ecosystems and Product Stories Have in Common
After two inspiring days at ISPIM and the Innovation Conference Board in Granada, I returned with fresh ideas, new connections and renewed confidence in the future of innovation.
A clear theme emerged: innovation isn’t just about technology. It’s about understanding people,…
Protect the Product, Protect the Margin: 10 Reformulation Lessons for R&D Teams
Reformulation is one of the most constant and commercially loaded challenges in CPG R&D. Raw material costs shift, regulations evolve, packaging components are discontinued, and through all of it the expectation remains the same: consumers must continue to love the product and the business…
Quirks London 2026: AI: Possibilities and Pragmatism for Research & Insights
It was great to spend time at the Quirk’s Media Event in London this week, immersing in the latest thinking and case studies from the research and insights industry. There was only really one topic of conversation …. AI and…
How to reformulate without losing customers, protecting brand and margin
Reformulation can feel frustratingly inefficient, with functional teams pulling in different directions, costly iterations, and uncertainty around what really matters to consumers. Untapped’s Ideal Product Model Blueprint addresses this by giving R&D a clear, evidence-based framework to focus on what…
the beauty evolution: from appearance correction to systemic longevity
In-Cosmetics 2026 reveals a major shift from surface-level beauty to biology-driven longevity.
Discover the trends shaping the future of skincare, wellness, and innovation for R&D.
How R&D Teams Can Avoid the Rabbit Hole of Polarised Niche Trends
In today’s fragmented, AI-driven market, innovation teams risk chasing amplified micro-trends instead of real human needs. This article explores how R&D teams can cut through cultural noise, avoid the “rabbit hole” of niche trends, and refocus on meaningful, need-led innovation.
What FMCG R&D Leaders Can Learn From The Beauty Industry’s Legal Minds
At the Beauty & Wellness Law Summit in London, legal experts revealed how regulation, claims, and consumer trust are reshaping innovation in beauty. For FMCG R&D leaders, the message was clear: the future of product development goes far beyond formulation.
R&D’s Role in ‘theatre’
As FMCG and healthcare giants streamline and refocus, retailers are investing in immersive, experience-led “retail theatre.” But without insight-driven R&D, even the most dazzling store concepts risk becoming generic. This frontline perspective explores how R&D can elevate product stories, shape…
The Future of Packaging: What R&D Can learn from Empak 2026
At Empak 26, experts across R&D, data and branding explored how consumer-first packaging is evolving beyond protection and compliance to deliver emotional connection, trust and smarter digital experiences. From QR-enabled simplification to behaviour-led design and luxury brand equity, the discussion…
The Power of Product Stories for R&D Market Success
Product Stories are not marketing polish, they’re a practical R&D tool for exploring, stress-testing and translating innovation into real-world impact. Across three very different use cases, they helped teams unlock better ideas, move faster and protect return on R&D…
CES 2026: A Turn Toward Practical Use
CES 2026 marked a clear turn away from spectacle and toward technologies designed to fit seamlessly into everyday life. Rather than headline-grabbing breakthroughs, the most compelling innovations focused on usability, trust, and integration into real human routines, signalling a more…