Looking for inspiration to launch a new product or add a fresh a new look in your retail shop? Look no further than Pantone’s Color of the Year, Ultra
Violet.
Said to evoke originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking, shades of
Ultra Violet are increasingly used in packaging and graphic design by
forward-looking brands seeking to stand out, according to The Pantone Color Institute.
Incorporate
Shades of Violet into Products and Merchandising
Since it was first introduced in December, ultra violet has been the inspiration for apparel, cosmetic and home decor brands as well as well-known personalities and artists. Let ultra violet light the way for your product development efforts and even when ordering gift items and other merchandise for your retail shop.
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| Photos: Disco Strawberries, Spring Flower Lollipops by Sprinkle Bakes and Blackberry Marshmallows by The Road to Honey |
Create cosmic strawberries with metallic violet luster dust or take a more literal approach by incorporating edible violets into your candies, like Sprinkle Bakes (click here for easy lollipop tutorial). For a fresh spin on homemade marshmallows, add blackberry puree to get a natural violet hue (check out recipe).
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| Party City |
Make an Impact with an Ultra Violet Candy Buffet
For maximum impact in your store, group together your favorite ultra violet (and
other shades of purple) treats in a candy buffet. Consider adding violet
lollipops, foil-wrapped chocolates, Jordan almonds, taffy and jelly beans to create
more of a variety.
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| Gain inspiration from brands like Sephora and Gap for their use of the color of the year in past product promotions. Images: xrite and Selectism |
Create a Color of the Year Promotion
Pantone is recognized globally as the leading source of
color information and trend forecasts. If you’re not already familiar with
Pantone, there’s a good chance consumers in your community are, especially if
your retail shop is near a university. According to an article published on
NYTimes.com, “Pantone [has] tremendous influence over the visible elements of
the global economy — the parts of it that are designed, manufactured and purchased.”
December is pretty much the Super Bowl for Pantone, after
the Color of the Year is officially announced. You can expect consumer products
in industries spanning from fashion to home décor, packaging and beauty
products to jump on the bandwagon, why not the candy industry? If this seems
like a good fit for your business, now may be a good time to identify these consumers.
Pantone’s color of the year could just be the spark of
inspiration you need for a new product launch or fresh merchandising plan. Have
you ever used Pantone’s color of the year as inspiration in your business? If
so, please share in the comments below.
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