October 25, 2011
Laurie Pressman, Vice President, Pantone Fashion, Home + Interiors, and I were recently interviewed by Home Furnishings Now (HFN). Here is an excerpt and a link to the full article.
“There is an inherent human tendency to be drawn to color. Intrinsic to our visual experience, color is part of the stimulation we feel and is a vital factor in consumer purchasing decisions. We would urge retailers today to address the strategic use of color in their product selections and believe it is important that they be mindful of creating visual excitement in their stores. Historically when the economy is uncertain there is a concern about the longevity of a color and some consumers have a tendency to play it safe with neutral shades. This is especially the case with products that are higher priced or take up a larger amount of real estate such as furniture and floor or window coverings. However, introducing some unexpected splashes of color or unique color combinations to play against these more neutral hues will attract and engage the eye, excite the imagination and ultimately tempt the consumer or client. Color is, in fact, the catalyst that can spark the sale. In an environment where consumers are cutting back on their spending, it would be a mistake to overlook this fundamental element of human psychology.”
This is a very interesting article. I made a copy and will put it into one of my notebooks on color. I’m excited today because I was just asked by Kansas City Homes & Gardens magazine to help them pick out paint colors for their new office space! This will be my first commercial job since I do residential. Although it’s not a retail space, I’ll keep these suggestions in mind.