Consumers seek shared, sensory-rich moments – and colour is the catalyst
EXBERRY Gather Together Joyful Unity (photo credit_ GNT Group).
Bold, expressive colour is emerging as a powerful tool for food and drink manufacturers aiming to tap into consumers’ growing desire for connection, cultural exploration and comfort, according to new research from the GNT Group.
Its Gather Together report reveals how instability, digital overload and rising emotional fatigue are reshaping global consumption habits. As people look for grounding, shared eating and drinking occasions are becoming key moments of expression and togetherness — and colour is increasingly central to creating these sensory-rich experiences.
Dieuwertje Raaijmakers, marketing communications specialist at GNT Group, said: “People are looking to food and drink for connection, comfort, and creativity – and colour helps spark those moments. Gather Together shows how brands can tap into this momentum using plant-based shades that resonate with how consumers want to eat and share today.”
The analysis identifies four emerging trend directions, each defined by natural colour palettes designed to inspire new product development:
- Joyful Unity – communal eating in familiar or reimagined spaces, driven by warm, hearty tones inspired by seasonal and comforting dishes.
- Cultural Celebration – rising interest in regional authenticity and hyper-local flavours, expressed through bold, saturated shades rooted in culinary heritage.
- Sensory Escape – a surge in surreal, multisensory food experiences that offer a break from routine, using mysterious, unconventional and futuristic hues.
- Branded Bites – the growth of hybrid brand collaborations in cafés, retail and limited-edition goods, leveraging fresh citrus and floral tones for uplifting visual appeal.
Beyond trend analysis, GNT is providing manufacturers with category-specific guidance, prototype concepts and application support across beverages, confectionery, dairy and bakery.
Raaijmakers added: “We want to make it easier for brands to turn insight into compelling visual experiences. Exberry offers a complete spectrum of plant-based, sustainable colour shades, helping manufacturers bring these trends to life in the food and drink consumers love to share.”
As the market leans further into shared, emotionally resonant moments, GNT’s findings suggest that natural colour will play a pivotal role in shaping the next wave of visually-led product innovation.
