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4. Home Fitness While home fitness was popular prior to the pandemic, the closings of gyms and fitness clubs have driven sales of home workout programs and exercise equipment to an all-time high. Many people have adjusted to the convenience and ease of home workouts. In the future, gym-going might become more of a hybrid activity, like employees who split their time between home and the office. 5. Working from Home The Harvard Business Review reports that the number of employees working at home will probably increase, now that "most professionals found ways to be productive outside the office." Yet not everyone sees it that way. Many workers feel a lack of community and creativity when working from, according to New York Times columnist Kevin Roose. "Studies have found that people working together in the same room tend to solve problems more quickly than remote collaborators, and that team cohesion suffers in remote work arrangements," said Roose. 6. Retreat from Supermarkets Jim Hertel, senior vice president of analytics at the data and analytics firm Inmar Intelligence, told Supermarket News that the online grocery shopping trend "is likely to continue even as restrictions are lifted." That's because shoppers have grown accustomed to this routine, with convenience being the main driving force, he said. 7. Increased Hotel Hygiene Hotel bookings have taken a blow during COVID-19, but the industry is trying to bounce back by adding measures to ensure their customers' health and safety. The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Fla., for example, has made permanent some initiatives it implemented during the pandemic, like hand-sanitizing stations throughout the resort, touchless guest transactions, advanced cleaning measures and air filtration systems.
8. Hybrid Work and Conferences The hybrid approach offers the ability to gather a small group in person and to involve a larger, virtual audience, said Nancy Davis, chief creative officer of the Global Wellness Summit. The result, she noted, is that those who can access an event virtually feel they are part of something dynamic and those in person have a wider audience with whom they can connect. 9. Comfy Fashion Casual Fridays have become casual everydays, as companies like Banana Republic launched work-from- home collections featuring relaxed styles with comfort and function in mind.
But how will fashion re-emerge once we're back out into the world?
Beauty historian, author and trends expert Rachel Weingarten predicts a move toward what she calls “high concept comfort.” "When there's an industrial revolution of sorts, fashion follows. Although our current fashion world isn't exactly fashionable, in many ways it's become a lot of fun," said Weingarten. "You might see sequins or embellishments on the comfy clothing; it will likely be unlike anything we've worn previously."
Read the full story 9 Things We Learned During COVID-19 That Will Endure at NextAvenue.org
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