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5 Bonus YPulse Predictions for 2026

But wait, there’s more! From employee influencers to butter obsessions, YPulse has even more predictions for brands to stay ahead of young consumer trends this year…

Written and Edited by the YPulse Editorial Team

Jan 5 2026
North America

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Wellness: Gen Z will embrace new “super drug” trends and butter brand collabs will be everywhere
Shopping: Community-driven thrifting events will grow as social and sustainable experiences
Marketing: More everyday employees will act as brand influencers and brands will publish think pieces

Every year, YPulse experts closely track the behaviors, cultural shifts, and emerging patterns shaping young consumers, identifying which trends are most likely coming next. In our 2026 Predictions report, we took a deep dive into 10 shifts we expect young people to fuel in the year ahead. From the collapse of the trend cycle to celebrity wedding mania, we see Gen Z reshaping how trends are created, shared, and revived. But we couldn’t fit everything in one report, and our experts have even more to say about what brands should think about as they plan for 2026! YPulse is always...