Episode 105

What Sweatpants Can Teach Us about Generational Differences and Segmentation

Published on: 18th November, 2025

Consumer companies are facing a new reality: demand is maturing, competition is intensifying, and generational preferences are diverging. Justin Vincent, part of BCG’s leadership team for consumer and fashion, explains how businesses can avoid fading into the background by choosing a durable purpose, serving real consumer needs, and mastering digital discovery. 

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Chapters: 

00:00-01:19 Introduction/Justin’s ‘So What’ 

01:20-02:32 The evolution of athleisure 

02:33-03:46 Why has growth slowed? 

03:47-04:56 Who is winning and will they continue to? 

04:57-06:06 What is a ‘for purpose’ mindset? 

06:07-08:38 How are different generations served? 

08:39-10:29 How do brands decide what markets to serve? 

10:30-12:32 How can you make your brand stand out? 

12:33-16:03 How should companies decide where to focus? 

16:04-17:39 How do brands decide where to localize and where to stay consistent? 

17:40-18:52 What can consumer companies learn from sportswear brands? 

18:53-19:55 What are the biggest challenges the industry is facing? 

19:56-21:24 Justin’s ‘Now What’ 

21:25-21:38 Outro 



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About the Podcast

The So What from BCG
This podcast from Boston Consulting Group looks around the corner of today’s big business and social issues. The goal–the so what–is to make sense of today and prepare busy leaders and executives for the day after tomorrow.
Award-winning British journalist Georgie Frost interviews the leading thinkers and doers at BCG on the trends, developments, and ideas that will shape and disrupt the future. This is not your typical business strategy podcast.

About your host

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Nick Howard