This chapter provides a very brief introduction to minimalism as a phenomenon in contemporary consumer culture. It begins by outlining the societal context marked by excessive consumption and materialism. The chapter then reviews critical perspectives on consumption, highlighting the emergence of minimalism as an anti-consumption movement that challenges traditional notions of happiness and success tied to material possessions. It discusses minimalism’s growing academic relevance and its connection to sustainability concerns, media attention, and shifting generational values. The chapter further examines the role of minimalism in marketing. Finally, it describes the research methodology underpinning the book, which integrates a rigorous literature review, student theses, and qualitative interviews with minimalists in Germany. This foundation establishes the thematic and empirical basis for this book.