April 2026
ertonline.co.uk
Pantone inspiration At the show, colour was positioned as a key tool for responding to evolving consumer mindsets, with calm, comfort and joy set to shape home trends in the coming years.
In her keynote, Leatrice Eiseman of the Pantone Color Institute unveiled the Pantone View Home + Interiors 2027 forecast, highlighting how design is adapting to meet consumers’ emotional and sensory needs in an increasingly fast-paced world. Built around the concept of “Sense-abilities”,
the forecast emphasises multi-sensory design, where colour works alongside texture and other elements to create more immersive and meaningful home environments. Ms Eiseman noted that consumers are seeking sanctuary at home, using design to disconnect from external noise and reconnect emotionally.
A wide range of influences is shaping
future palettes, from fashion and film to technology, nature and culture, underlining the psychological as well as aesthetic role of colour. Soft, calming tones remain important, alongside more nostalgic and expressive hues driven by popular culture. Ms Eiseman also highlighted Cloud Dancer, a versatile white reflecting a growing desire for simplicity and clarity, with broad appeal across seasons and categories. The 2027 palettes balance subtle, nature-led shades with more dramatic and playful colours, offering flexibility to meet different consumer moods. Directions range from gentle, meadow- inspired tones and cool blues and greens to warmer hues linked to comfort and nostalgia, alongside more eclectic combinations for bolder styling. For retailers, the implication is clear: colour is not just aesthetic but strategic, with the power to influence mood and purchasing decisions.
Translating these trends into product and merchandising will be key to meeting demand.
AI is here to stay
Artificial intelligence is rapidly shifting from a back-office efficiency tool to a core driver of commercial strategy, with retailers and suppliers urged to act quickly or risk falling behind. That was the key message from a keynote at The Inspired Home Show 2026, where speakers highlighted the need for immediate experimentation and adoption. Udayan Bose, Founder of NetElixir, joined
Aaron Conant of BWG Connect to outline how AI is reshaping e-commerce and decision- making. While consumers are already engaging with AI through search and generative tools, Mr Bose argued that many businesses are still only beginning to explore its full potential. He urged companies to move beyond simple automation towards predictive analytics that can actively drive growth. For a sector managing extensive product ranges and facing margin pressure, this offers significant opportunity. AI can uncover hidden value in underperforming lines, with one example showing more than 1,000 SKUs revitalised, delivering a 39 per cent increase in orders and $1m in incremental revenue within three months.
AI is also transforming how consumers discover products. Conant pointed to a shift from traditional SEO to Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO), requiring brands to rethink website structure and content strategies to remain visible in AI-driven search. Without this, brands risk being excluded from key discovery channels. Both speakers stressed that AI should enhance, not replace, human roles. By automating routine tasks, businesses can free
up time for creativity, strategy and decision- making. Mr Bose described AI as a starting point for insight, rather than the end result. He encouraged businesses to focus on outcomes rather than technology, keep humans involved and adopt a test-and-learn approach. This includes challenging long-standing processes and encouraging cross-functional collaboration to drive innovation.
The message was clear: as AI evolves rapidly, those who fail to adapt risk losing competitive ground. Retailers and suppliers must start experimenting now and embed AI into core strategies to unlock future growth.
Understanding the consumer Understanding the “why” behind consumer purchasing decisions is becoming increasingly critical for retailers, as generational differences continue to shape demand in the home and housewares sector. That was the key message from a keynote at The Inspired Home Show 2026, where new research highlighted how shoppers define value today. Presenting findings from the 2026 Value Equation Index, Tom Mirabile of Springboard Futures said that while trends come and go, the data behind them provides a more reliable guide for long-term strategy. Developed with the International Housewares Association, the study examines how Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X and Baby Boomers evaluate products, brands and retailers.
Mr Mirabile stressed that generational context
remains highly relevant in lifestyle categories, where purchases are closely tied to age, life stage and identity. Consumers are not simply buying products, but reflecting who they are or aspire to be, increasing the need for brands to connect authentically. >>
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