Everyone is talking about “enhanced experiences” for 2026. With the IGD trend report saying that standout moments and deeper emotional connections will be key.
But that doesn’t mean that buyers want theatre, sparkly lights and all that jazz. What it means to buyers is that they’re searching for brands that show up clearly and consistently across every touchpoint.
Experience begins long before a shopper reaches the shelf.
Experience means clarity, not gimmicks
Shoppers engage faster with brands they understand. If they can tell what you do, who it’s for, and why it matters in ten seconds, that’s already an “experience”.
Confusion is not memorable (or it is for all the wrong reasons).
Clarity is memorable.
Buyers want joined up thinking
Experience isn’t a one off moment, it’s how your brand carries through the entire journey:
- what your presentations say
- how your range ladders
- how your messages flow online
- how your packaging stands out in store
- how you support the shopper mission it sits within.
If these touch points don’t line up, the experience isn’t going to add up.
You don’t need big budgets to standout
What you actually need is:
- a clear brand story
- consistent messaging
- a clearl shopper mission
- the confidence to stick to your space in the category.
Bold ideas only work when the foundations are strong
Shoppers want emotional safety in 2026
When everything else feels uncertain, brands with a steady, confident, recognisable presence will win. That emotional connection doesn’t come from stunts or jumping on trends. It comes from consistency.
