Trends and Topics in Print Media

Every Monday morning, a team of Access media mavens gathers to read the latest trends and topics covered in print media (yes, we still read print media!). The team shares these insights agency wide to ensure we’re all informed and equipped for the week ahead. Every week, we’ll share learnings from the consumer, business and tech spaces here on the Access Point.

This week, we learned about the evolution of gendered toys, retail hardships and the latest and greatest in wellness.

• Mattel, The Owner Of Barbie Products, Announced a New Line of Gender Neutral Dolls

Gendered items of any kind have been a conversation topic for a few years now, as brands in the toy space are quickly realizing that one size does not fit all (looking at you, Lego). Target stopped labeling toys for girls and boys in its stores in 2015 – the same year Disney stopped labeling its Halloween costumes. Now, this new product from Mattel, called Creatable World, aims to be a “relatable” and “inclusive” toy for all kids. The dolls are available in a range of skin tones and each comes with two different hair lengths styled in various ways and colors. While Barbies are marketed as “aspirational” and modeled after adults, Creatable World dolls are “designed specifically to have a youthful, gender-neutral appearance” that celebrates positivity (Maya Salam, The New York Times).  

• Other Trends We’re Noticing: Retail and Wellness

Forever 21 is the latest retailer to announce hardship. The brand said it would file for bankruptcy, citing shifting consumer tastes and a decrease in shopping malls. The end of an era? Not quite! The company will continue to operate its online shopping platform (Sapna Maheshwari, The New York Times).

According to health experts, foam rolling post-exercise, acupuncture and CBD oil are all the rage right now! Fun fact: acupuncture needles are 40 times smaller than the needles your flu shot comes in, “so they won’t hurt a bit!” (Danielle Blundell, Rachael Ray Magazine).