Gender-neutral Products: Gender out, mindset in, Marketing & Advertising News, ET BrandEquity

Marketers, take note. Traditionally female-dominated or male-dominated buying categories, like skincare or automobiles, are no longer just so. A recent Economic Times report found that almost 25-30 per cent of Hamleys’s sales marketed for a particular gender are actually bought by customers of the other gender. With gender fluidity gaining traction, Shweta Mulki and Prasad Sangameshwaran explore this new shift.

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The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on October 15 introduced guidelines that restricted the use of such terms in advertisements unless backed by scientific evidence or third-party certification, aiming to promote transparency. Greenwashing, according to the government, is a tactic used by some companies to exaggerate or fabricate environmental claims. Firms often use vague terms such as ‘natural’, ‘sustainable’ or ‘eco-friendly’ without proof, misleading consumers and undermining real sustainability efforts.

India's supercar market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with sales projected to reach 1,200-1,300 units in 2024. This surge is driven by a booming economy, rising disposable incomes, and a growing cultural acceptance of supercars as status symbols. Leading brands like Audi, Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are reporting record sales, fueled by high demand for their high-performance models.