And the #1 trend for the New Year is…

As the month and year closes out, so does our list of top retail trends for 2008. While it was tough to choose only 5 to talk about, #1 was pretty obvious. #5 was home-style décor, #4 was streamlined and simple, #3 was high-tech design, #2 was sensory experiences, and, without further ado, here’s our #1:

#1: Green is the new black.

So, a few friends and I got together for dinner last night when a Jack Johnson song came on the radio. I immediately began talking about how much I like his music and my friend countered with, “I don’t like his music, but I respect what he’s doing for the environment.” Among other things (like using recycled jewel cases for his CDs), I guess his record label’s office roof is completely outfitted with solar panels. My friend then made the comment, “A lot of businesses are going green these days.” A 10+ minute conversation ensued.

Reducing your negative environmental impact used to be something only the niche, nature-loving brands worked toward, but as society begins embracing the environmentally-conscious state of mind, more retailers are jumping on the bandwagon to stay in tune with their target customers.

While the initial cost of eco-friendly products is still substantially higher than their less friendly counterparts, shoppers can look forward to experiencing more green design elements in the New Year. Beginning with flooring, sustainable materials like concrete, bamboo, and linoleum will set the stage for low-VOC (volatile organic compound) wall treatments that will serve as a background for fixtures constructed from reclaimed wood, wheatboard, or other recycled materials. Natural daylight and other energy-efficient light sources will highlight the fixtures and illuminate stores. With the increased demand, there’s sure to be further innovation that will produce even more green options as well as reduce pricing for those currently on the market.

When two young 20-somethings randomly start conversing about it and Wal-Mart starts doing it, you know it has to be big. Mother Nature would be proud.

And there you have it, folks! The Dadson Diaries picks for the Top 5 Retail Trends for 2008. Think we hit the nail on the head or did we completely miss the boat? We’d love to hear what you think!