How culture, climate and crisis are rewriting consumer preferences

I’ve been analysing supermarket shelves for 35 years, and if you look closely, you will see they are a reflection of a changing culture. The shifts are subtle but profound. A plant-based yoghurt here, a no-alcohol wine there. A product that proudly announces its carbon footprint on the pack. Another that promises “regenerative farming” or “gut-mind balance”. These are not fleeting trends; they are the visible signs of deeper, invisible forces reshaping what consumers value – and how food and beverage brands must evolve to stay relevant.From climate anxiety to economic pressure and cultural re-evaluation, macro forces are quietly but powerfully shaping what shoppers seek from today’s brands.Supermarket shelves are a cultural mirror. Pay close attention to the rise and fall of certain SKUs, formats and claims, as well as the ebbs and flows of categories; you’ll notice food and beverage products are signals of belief systems, sustainability, wellness, identity – even politics. Today’s consumers aren’t merely shopping for value; they are shopping for values. Culture, climate and crisis have become powerful, interconnected forces redefining consumer behaviour. While the guardians of FMCG brands are well-versed in brand differentiation and promotional levers, the next competitive edge lies in decoding macro-contextual change and embedding it into brand strategy, product innovation, packaging and marketing.Let’s unpack the three invisible influencers shaping the new rules of retail.Economic pressure: From less consumption to conscious consumptionThe traditional narrative is that rising costs drive consumers toward private labels and budget brands. That’s true, but it’s only part of the story. The modern consumer isn’t just trading down; they’re trading off, making more deliberate, values-based decisions about where and how to spend.This mindset shift is particularly evident among Millennials and Gen Z. Faced with economic stress, these cohorts are asking deeper questions: Does this brand align with my values? Will it make me feel better – physically, emotionally, ethically? And will it be better for the planet?The result? A move from ‘more is better’ to ‘better is better’.Consumers are splurging selectively, investing in high-quality coffee, organic pantry staples, or craft snacks, but skipping conventional indulgences.Health and wellbeing are reframed as everyday essentials, not luxuries. Think: magnesium-rich sparkling water, adaptogenic chocolate, or nootropic beverages.The ‘little luxury’ effect is on the rise – it offers small upgrades that deliver emotional reward without financial guilt.The key implication here is that value is no longer synonymous with price; it’s measured in emotional return, trust and meaning. FMCG brands must reframe value propositions to signal mindful indulgence, not mass utility.Cultural shifts: Rewriting the food narrativeFood has always been cultural, but the narrative is changing. Today, food is no longer just fuel or family tradition. It’s a tool for identity, ritual, self-care and self-expression.We’re seeing a convergence of subcultures that are influencing mainstream consumer expectations, including the sober-curious movement, which is reshaping beverage aisles, with brands like NON and Yes You Can creating sophisticated non-alcoholic drinks that don’t feel like compromises.Ancestral eating and “food as medicine” trends are drawing on tradition, gut health and ancient grains to cater to a new holistic health consumer, while “flexitarianism” – a primarily plant-based diet with the occasional addition of meat and fish – is becoming the default, with shoppers seeking balance rather than strict dietary tribes.Likewise, the mental wellbeing movement has spilled into the grocery cart with everything from mood-boosting teas to affirmational chocolate.Even how people eat is changing. As work-life lines blur, the rise of micro-rituals – think solo breakfast smoothies or 3pm pick-me-ups – is driving demand for snackable, experiential formats.Even the pet aisle, once full of Pal, now appeals to the conscious shopper and the ‘humanisation’ of pets with a focus on welfare, providing ethical and sustainable options for your four-legged friend. The key implication here is that brands must cater to moments and mindsets, not just categories. Messaging should reflect intention (“calm your mind”, “power your day”) as much as functional claims or ingredient descriptions. Climate consciousness: Greenwashing fatigue and the rise of the informed consumerThe climate crisis has moved from the periphery to the pantry.Consumers, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, are increasingly conscious of their carbon footprint. But it’s not just about doing the right thing. Climate-smart choices are now framed as personal wellbeing – clean air, clean water, clean food.Yet these consumers are also sceptical. Sustainability fatigue and greenwashing backlash are real. They want receipts. And they’ll pay more for them – but only if they believe them.Give them proof over promises: certifications, lifecycle impact, and transparent sourcing. Seek out design cues that feel authentic, such as recyclable materials, natural textures and minimal printing.Think local over global. Provenance matters. ‘Made in Daylesford’ holds more emotional weight than ‘Organic’ alone.Shift the focus from sustainable to regenerative. Forward-looking consumers want brands that restore, not just reduce impact.The key implication here is that sustainability must move from your brand’s corporate social responsibility report into the core brand story, expressed through packaging, supply chain, pricing and communication. It’s no longer positioning; it’s a hygiene factor.What does this mean for FMCG brand strategy?Whether you’re a local disruptor or a global leader, there are steps you can take to meet the changing needs of today’s consumer. Listen to the culture, not just the category: Most brand teams are too category-led. Category norms will tell you only what the competition is doing, not where the consumer is going. Tune in to broader cultural shifts and subcultures. That’s where growth lives.Design for mindset, not demographics: Start with the emotional state of the consumer. Are they anxious? Curious? Tired? Empowered? Design packaging and experiences that align with that mood or moment.Turn your pack into a micro-story: Your packaging is the first and often only brand touchpoint in a low-engagement category. Use it to tell a story, even if it’s only a sentence long. Make people feel something in three seconds.Show, don’t tell: Claims are table stakes. What really matters is how you show care, quality, and consciousness, through materials, tone of voice, colour, layout and restraint.Anchor innovation in human needs: Use insight tools like ethnography, semiotics and occasion-based mapping to find unmet needs, not just flavours, formats and fads.Balance the head and the heart: Pair functional superiority with emotional relevance.In a world where volatility is the new normal, brands that ignore macro-cultural forces do so at their peril. But those that harness them, embedding the why behind the what, will not only win shelf space, they’ll win long-term relevance. Because the new generation of consumers isn’t just buying what you’re selling, they’re buying what you believe in.Grant Davidson is the principal, brand growth, at branding agency Principals. Further reading: What makes shoppers truly loyal? It’s not price – it’s brand love