Five Products: How brands are pushing sensory boundaries to excite today’s consumers.

Wherever you look, brands are turning to multi-sensory experiences to add sparkle to the weekly shop. Aptly, it’s even happening in toothpaste, with options to 'whiten, brighten, and awaken your senses'. It’s as if FMCG brands are on a mission to deliver our next sensory thrill.

From the crunch of a potato chip to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, our senses are being bombarded with stimuli every day, with brands going above and beyond to create experiences that are as memorable as they are enjoyable.

Phiala Mehring, Sensory Experience Director at MMR Research, notes that "today’s consumer is seeking more than just a product—they're looking for an experience that resonates at a deeper level. The most successful brands are those that understand how to engage multiple senses simultaneously, creating a product experience that lingers in the mind long after the initial interaction."

With this in mind, we have rummaged supermarkets around the world to find five products that are pushing the boundaries of sensory innovation, offering unique experiences that go beyond the ordinary.

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1. Summer Friday’s Ice-Coffee lip balm (U.S.A):

Summer Fridays' relaunched Iced Coffee Lip Butter Balm is a treat for coffee lovers. Originally released as part of a limited-edition trio for the holidays, this product quickly became a fan favorite, leading to its permanent addition to the brand’s lineup. The balm does more than just moisturize lips; it also promises to deliver a subtle, aromatic hint of iced coffee that lingers, making the experience as much about enjoyment as it is about care. This product highlights how sensory experiences can elevate everyday items, transforming a simple lip balm into a moment of indulgence. This trend is also seen in OLEHENRIKSEN’s Pout Preserve Peptide in Crème Brûlée, which offers a beige nude tint and a warm vanilla brown sugar scent, addressing both aesthetic appeal and sensory pleasure.

2. Hello Day! Magico Nata de Coco Lychee Juice

For consumers seeking new indulgences, Agus has crafted a beverage that’s both unique and satisfying: Hello Day! Magico Nata de Coco Lychee Juice. This innovative drink blends the contrasting sensations of liquid and solid, offering a truly distinctive product experience that begins with a sip and ends with a bite. The drink features springy nata de coco jelly cubes suspended in juice, creating an interesting contrast between the chewy and the refreshing. Available in flavors like mango, lychee, and coconut, this drink caters to consumers who crave new sensory experiences. The combination of textures—a smooth liquid with bouncy jelly—promises to satisfy even the most demanding pleasure seekers, offering a memorable sensory journey with every sip and chew.

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3. Ice Nine Drinks Passion Fruit Martini Shots (U.K)

Ice Nine is reimagining the classic shot moment by making it less intimidating and more experiential. This bite-sized ice sphere is filled with a smooth vanilla vodka and passion fruit liqueur, with the low freezing point of alcohol keeping the center liquid while the outer shell remains frozen. When popped in the mouth, the shell slowly melts, releasing a burst of tangy passion fruit flavor before the smooth vanilla vodka hits. After just nine seconds, the shell implodes, releasing the spirit in a way that's both surprising and satisfying. The combination of cold, crunch, and the sudden burst of flavor creates a memorable moment that redefines what a shot can be. It's a playful, sensory-driven approach that makes drinking more interactive and enjoyable.

4. ASMR Fragrances Chocolate Crush

ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) has become a global phenomenon, known for its ability to trigger tingling sensations and deep relaxation through sound and touch. ASMR Fragrances taps into this trend by pairing their scents with immersive videos that enhance the overall sensory experience going beyond the traditional perfume experience by integrating ASMR elements that engages multiple senses. Their latest addition, Chocolate Crush, is an eau de parfum featuring notes of dark chocolate, praline, malted cocoa, nuts, and roasted vanilla. The combination of scent and sound offers a deeper, more emotional connection, turning the simple act of applying perfume into a full-body sensory experience.

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5. Butter & Me Body Lavender Rosemary Choco Scrub (U.S.A)

Butter & Me, an AAPI-owned artisanal self-care brand, has reimagined the traditional body scrub with its innovative Body Choco Scrub. Inspired by the look and feel of a chocolate bar, this luxurious scrub offers an indulgent skincare experience. What sets this product apart is its playful design and sensory appeal. Consumers can break off a piece of the scrub, much like a piece of chocolate, adding a touch of fun to their self-care routine. As the scrub is applied, it transforms into a satisfyingly rich and foamy lather. This innovative approach transforms a routine body care product into a moment of indulgence, offering consumers a multi-sensory experience that combines visual appeal with aromatic pleasure.

These products serve as inspiring examples of what’s possible when creativity meets consumer preferences. For FMCG brands looking to innovate, they need to consider how they can integrate unique sensory elements into their products. Think flavors that evoke emotions, textures that surprise, or scents that transport.

Ellie King, AMER & EMEA Sensory Director at MMR Research adds, "Innovation isn’t about playing in the shallow end—it’s about diving into the deep end and making waves. Brands that dare to go beyond the expected and create immersive, multi-sensory experiences are the ones that will redefine the market and leave a lasting legacy."

If you’re inspired to push the sensory boundaries of your products, MMR Research can help you unlock new levels of innovation. Contact us today to discover how our expertise in sensory research can guide your brand toward creating unforgettable consumer experiences.