Five Products: Elevating Consumers' Experiences
Let’s face it, most products just do their job and move on. But every so often, something lands on the shelf that actually makes you pause. It looks different. It feels fun. It surprises you when you try it. That’s product experience, and in the world of FMCG, it’s becoming the new competitive edge.
According to Andrew Wardlaw, Chief Ideas Officer at MMR Research, product experience is fast becoming the best tool brands have to stand out. "Consumers are tuning out the marketing. What they remember is how something made them feel. the first use, the texture, the taste. That’s what creates loyalty.”
Dan Jenkins, Head of Product Hub, sees this as part of a wider shift into what he calls the Discovery Era. “We’re seeing a real appetite for small, exciting moments in everyday life. People want to discover something new — and products are increasingly where that discovery happens. It's becoming more evident than ever that consumers are craving for sensory interaction, touch, smell, flavour, and texture. It’s a way to feel more grounded when so much of daily life is happening through screens.
So here are five new launches doing just that — helping consumers feel more, not just buy more.
1. Dirty Dough’s NERDS Sugar Crush Cookie (U.S.)
Dirty Dough has launched a new limited-edition NERDS Sugar Crush Cookie, created in collaboration with the iconic candy brand. The cookie features Dirty Dough’s signature soft-baked format, filled with vanilla crème and topped with pink frosting and crunchy NERDS Rainbow Candy, offering a multi-textural, nostalgic twist on the classic sugar cookie. The product is currently available across Dirty Dough outlets in the U.S. and online via the brand’s direct-to-consumer platform.
2. Fix Dessert Chocolatier’s Time to Mango (UAE)
Fix Dessert Chocolatier, known for its dessert-stuffed chocolate bars, has released Time to Mango, a new tropical-inspired flavour. Designed to offer a sensorial experience with every bite, the bar pairs white chocolate with mango and passionfruit fillings, enhanced by popping candy to add surprise and texture. This flavour joins the brand’s existing line-up of limited-run bars and is available for purchase through its Dubai flagship store and regional delivery via its online store.
3. Allkinds Whipped Shower Foams (A.U)
Australian body care brand Allkinds has rolled out a limited-edition collection of Whipped Shower Foams designed for kids and teens. Offering a playful alternative to traditional soaps, these moussey formulas come in fruity scents like Strawberry, Watermelon, and Grape, and are packaged with bubblegum-themed designs and sticker sheets to add a layer of fun to hygiene routines. The range is currently available through Allkinds retail locations across Australia and online through their e-commerce site.
4. Skittles Pop’d (U.S.)
Mars Wrigley has launched Skittles Pop’d, an official freeze-dried version of the classic candy, tapping into a consumer trend that previously played out via third-party sellers and TikTok creators. The format delivers a crisp, puffed texture that contrasts with the original’s chewy bite, while maintaining the familiar fruity flavours Skittles are known for. The product is available now in resealable pouches across major U.S. retailers including Walmart and Target.
5. Sprite Chill Strawberry Kiwi (U.S.)
Sprite has introduced Strawberry Kiwi as the latest addition to its Chill range, a seasonal line that enhances the brand’s signature citrus flavour with a subtle cooling effect. This variant blends strawberry and kiwi notes to create a fruit-forward option that feels more refreshing thanks to the added sensation. The product is being distributed as a Walmart exclusive in the U.S., available in both 12-packs of 12-ounce cans and 20-ounce bottles.
What these products have in common is not just novelty, but how they offer intentional design that elevates the moment of interaction. Whether through texture, temperature, format, or progression, each launch adds friction in the best way possible, making the act of using or consuming the product more memorable.
As life becomes increasingly virtual, products with real-world sensory payoff are gaining new meaning. They break through routine. They create memory. And in many cases, they offer moments of playfulness and presence that are becoming harder to come by. Brands that recognise this and design for it are not just responding to a trend, they’re setting themselves up for relevance in the experience economy.
If you’re exploring how to bring more product experience into your innovation strategy - get in touch with us. We’d love to help shape your next launch into something consumers don’t just buy, but actually feel.