Trend: Comfort. Topic: Kid-Ulting & The Great Regression. Recent cultural debates surrounding high-profile retail visits—such as singer Kelly Clarkson shopping for a $15,000 mechanical bird at a Brooklyn toy store—have highlighted a massive shift in consumer behavior. Known as "kid-ulting" or "the Great Regression," adult consumers are increasingly driving the toy and leisure markets. According to industry milestones, adult-only households now account for the majority of U.S.

As uncertainty, information overload and constant connectivity become part of everyday life, Gen Z is turning comfort into something they actively prepare for. From viral anxiety bags to sensory products, familiar snacks and calming rituals, a new Anxiety Economy is emerging around products that help consumers feel reassured, prepared and more in control. Why Everyone Is Talking About It: Gen Z Is Packing for How Life Feels The viral rise of the “anxiety bag” or “panic pouch”