Findings:
The 2024 confectionery colour trends emphasize the role of colour in influencing consumer emotions and behaviors, highlighting themes such as wellness, sustainability, nostalgia, and indulgence. At the 2023 Sweets & Snacks Expo, brands focused on how colour, when paired with the right flavors and marketing, can elevate the appeal of confectionery products. New innovations include vibrant colours for nostalgic connections and natural hues reflecting health and sustainability.
Key Takeaway:
Colour in confectionery is becoming more than just a visual element; it is a tool for storytelling, brand differentiation, and consumer engagement. Brands are using colour to signal quality, flavor, and emotional connections, especially as they explore luxury, nostalgia, and health-conscious trends.
Trend:
Five key colour trends dominate in 2024:
Luxury Meets Self-Expression: Rich, luxurious hues like stormy blue and sparkling grape mirror personal values and create a premium yet affordable indulgence experience.
Nostalgia-Driven Colour Choices: Soft and playful colours like pink power and magical marigold are tied to nostalgic flavours, offering comfort with a modern twist.
Health and Functionality: Bright and vivid shades like spectra yellow and persimmon orange signal energy and wellness, aligning with functional confectionery products.
Sustainability: Natural, earthy colours like textured purples and muted oranges are used to signify sustainability, supported by innovative, eco-friendly production methods like fermentation.
Breaking Boundaries with Bold Contrasts: Bright and daring colours are used in premium confectionery to create a sense of adventure and uniqueness.
Consumer Motivation:
Consumers are driven by a mix of indulgence, nostalgia, and health-conscious choices. Many seek confectionery products that reflect their personal values, such as sustainability, and that offer a combination of indulgent, exciting, and functional experiences.
What is Driving the Trend:
Nostalgia: The desire for comfort amidst economic challenges drives demand for colours and flavours that evoke memories.
Health and Wellness: Increased focus on health and functional benefits in confectionery products influences the use of vibrant, energy-evoking colours.
Sustainability: Consumers’ growing demand for environmentally responsible products leads to the use of natural colours derived from sustainable sources like fermentation.
People Referenced in the Article:
Pilar Zorrilla: Key Account Manager and confectionery lead at GNT Group, discussing the importance of colour in signaling flavour, quality, and identity.
Consumers/Products/Services:
The article highlights the confectionery industry, specifically focusing on products like chocolates, candies, and functional treats. The colours appeal to a broad demographic, with younger consumers particularly drawn to social media-driven trends like #dupe, while health-conscious and eco-conscious consumers are attracted to sustainable and functional offerings.
Conclusions:
Colour is becoming a critical tool for confectionery brands, enabling them to create deeper emotional connections with consumers. From sustainability to indulgence, colour trends are aligning with broader consumer desires for personal expression, wellness, and nostalgia.
Implications for Brands:
Brands need to carefully consider the role of colour in their products, using it to convey messages about indulgence, health, or sustainability. Pairing the right colours with innovative flavours and storytelling will be essential for standing out in a competitive market.
Implications for Society:
The increased focus on sustainability in confectionery aligns with a larger societal shift toward eco-conscious consumption. The use of natural colours and production methods that reduce environmental impact will likely become more mainstream as consumers prioritize responsible choices.
Implications for Consumers:
Consumers can expect a wider range of products that cater to their desire for health-conscious, indulgent, and nostalgic experiences. With brands focusing on personalized, colourful offerings, consumers will have more options that align with their values, from luxury treats to functional snacks.
Implications for the Future:
Future confectionery innovations will likely see more fusion of flavour and colour, with bold, experimental combinations becoming the norm. Sustainable colour production will continue to grow, and brands will use colour to differentiate their products in both premium and affordable segments.
Consumer Trend:
The key trend is colour as a tool for personal expression and indulgence. Rich, vibrant hues combined with nostalgic and sustainable messaging are driving consumer engagement.
Consumer Sub-Trend:
A sub-trend is the demand for health-conscious confectionery, where bright colours signal functionality, energy, and wellness.
Big Social Trend:
Sustainability is a big social trend shaping the use of natural, plant-based colours and eco-friendly production processes in the confectionery industry.
Worldwide Social Trend:
Globally, sustainability and eco-conscious consumerism are driving changes across industries, and confectionery is no exception. Brands worldwide are moving toward natural, responsibly sourced colours and ingredients to align with consumers' growing environmental concerns.
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