Four Trends Driving Colorful Product Innovation in 2024 and Beyond
Food, Beverage, and Pet Innovation Inspired by Evolving Consumer Trends
Product innovation can take many routes, and brands looking to consumer trends have no shortage of opportunity for growth. Each year, Sensient’s consumer insights derive colorful inspiration and trends from macro drivers and current market representation. How will innovation manifest in your world this year?
Discover 4 consumer trends driving new product innovation in the global food and beverage industry:
Relationship Renaissance
Interpersonal communication has changed dramatically in recent years. Although consumers have more access to communication tools than ever before, the onslaught of social media, text chains and video calls have led to stress and burnout, instead of authenticity and intimacy. Interpersonal relationships are emerging as a facet of wellbeing that consumers are eager to explore, and as a result brands are tasked with bringing people together.
46%
of US consumers
say that spending time in-person with friends and family is a high priority for them
Mintel 2023
77%
of Peruvian consumers
believe that it is important for them to feel part of a community
Mintel 2023
67%
of German consumers
agree that senior citizens are largely forgotten about in the digital world
Mintel 2023
Impact on Product Development
Brands can deliver valuable moments to consumers through products that celebrate togetherness, unity, and/or connection.
- • Seasonal and Holiday LTOs
- • Life Celebration Line Extensions
- • Religious and Spiritual Line Extensions
Food Color Prediction
Rising interest in colors that represent times of togetherness
Consumer Trend: Relationship Renaissance
In-Market Examples
Mintel 2024
North America
Tostitos Holiday Trees Tortilla Chips
Europe
Peace & Love Fruit Gums
Asia Pacific
Festive Delight Biscuit Sticks Coated with Mixed Berry Macaron Flavor (Thailand)
Latin America
Seasonal biscuits and snacks
China
Lawson Spooky Chocolate Mousse Cake
South Africa
Kara Nicha’s Vegetarian Diwali Snacks
Consumer Trend: Relationship Renaissance
Colorful Inspiration
Seasons of Love
Human Creativity
Technology allows us to automate mundane tasks, freeing up time to pursue more meaningful activities. Unlike technologies of the past, which existed as tools, today’s rapidly advancing AI-powered technologies seem to be on track to outpace human output. While consumers and businesses learn to balance the use of this emerging technology, it will emphasize an appreciation of what makes us uniquely human – our emotions, empathy, creative ideas and desire to connect with fellow human beings. To strike a balance between progress and preservation, brands and consumers will increasingly seek out uniquely human elements as a contrast to faceless algorithms.
47%
of US consumers
who know about AI are somewhat concerned about its increasing prominence
Mintel 2023
40%
of Us consumers
are actively seeking ways to disconnect from their smartphones
Mintel 2023
1/2
of UK PARENTS
have looked to social media for ways to make their children’s meals more exciting
Mintel 2023
Impact on Product Development
Brands can preserve human skill through scratch, artisanal and handcraft-inspired creations.
- • Specialty toppings and inclusions
- • Variety of layers and textures
- • Handcrafted specialty flavors
Food Color Prediction
Demand for unique color inclusions and solutions that create a special effect
Consumer Trend: Human Creativity
In-Market Examples
Mintel 2024
North America
Walmart Canada’s Your Fresh Market Kitchen Table Classics Homestyle Macaroni and Cheese
Europe
Spooktacular Science Vanilla Flavour Cupcake Mix
Asia Pacific
Netflix Vanilla and Cookie Pieces Ice Cream (Australia)
Latin America
Creamy almond dessert
China
Ben Gong E Le Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Crisp
South Africa
Woolworths Local Celebration Almond & Cardamom and Melktert Biscuit Selection
Consumer Trend: Human Creativity
Colorful Inspiration
Swirls & Spots
Turbulent Times
Uncertainty – long-term effects of the pandemic, economic instability, the rise of generative AI, climate change and geopolitical tensions – is the only certainty there is. Brands, steering away from their sanitized portrayal of reality, must present genuine products and services that fit into the current reality and help consumers deal with uncertainty.
40%
of Chinese consumers
say they have not used but are interested in using food and drink with fortified sleep-aiding ingredients, such as chamomile and lavender
Mintel 2022
89%
of South African consumers
say they are affected by increases in food and drink prices as a result of inflation in 2022
Mintel 2022
45%
of Dutch 16-24-years-olds
say they actively seek ways to reduce stress
Mintel 2023
Impact on Product Development
Brands can serve moments of tranquility to consumers through functional, mood-altering products.
- • Ingredients supporting relief and relaxation
- • Wind-down product offerings
Food Color Prediction
A surge in purple and blue hues from botanical sources
Consumer Trend: Turbulent Times
In-Market Examples
Mintel 2024
North America
Clover Sonoma Blue Moon Organic Blueberry Lavender Milk
Europe
Blackcurrant and Lavender Flavoured Energy Drink
Asia Pacific
Lemon Flavored Natural Green Tea (Vietnam)
Latin America
Duo of sweet tea dreams
China
Glico Pejoy Chun Shui Mao Chocolate Flavoured Filled Biscuits
South Africa
Carmien Sleepy Time Rooibos and Camomile Tea with Strawberry Flavour
Consumer Trend: Turbulent Times
Colorful Inspiration
Relaxing Lavender
Fight for the Wild
We are now facing a global extinction crisis with more than one million species on track for extinction in decades. People can halt the crisis by demanding a radical and collaborative approach to address the challenges ahead for saving these species. Brands seeking to support endangered species can demonstrate commitment to environmental causes with themed launches and partnerships with activism organizations.
Hawksbill Caribbean Spiced Rum donates 10% of its sales profits each year to the Barbados Sea Turtle Project.
For every 250g of this traditionally roasted Chimpembere Blend purchased, R5 is donated to the Chimpembere Rhino foundation.
75%
of indian consumers
agree that it is everyone’s responsibility to conserve natural resources and/or protect the environment
Mintel 2022
Impact on Product Development
Brands can generate awareness and collaborate with endangered species causes.
- • Real world creature representations
- • Sustainability conversations supporting endangered habitats
Food Color Prediction
Requests for hues that bring endangered species to life in product innovation
Consumer Trend: Fight for the Wild
In-Market Examples
Mintel 2024
North America
Little Debbie Mini Panda Donuts
Europe
Organic Spicy Vegan Paprika Lentil Chips
Asia Pacific
Original 60% Rich, Dark Chocolate (New Zealand)
Latin America
Fresh prickly pear chips
China
Oreo Sandwich Biscuits with Strawberry Filling
South Africa
Masterton’s Chipembere Arabica Coffee Beans
Consumer Trend: Fight for the Wild
Colorful Inspiration
Giant Panda Pals
Unleash the Rainbow in 2024 and Beyond!
Sensient color experts look forward to seeing these trends on shelves!
To jumpstart your new product development process with benchtop color samples, request a sample here. If you’d like to dig deeper into these trends with concepts or insights, get color advice, or ask a color expert for scale-up help, request a consultation with one of our local team members.
