Ecommerce and DTC brands that exist primarily online face a unique challenge: creating memorable, meaningful experiences in a space where customers can’t physically interact with their products. Without in-person retail, how do you replicate those sensory moments that spark emotional connection and inspire action?
Sensory marketing is emerging as the answer. By tapping into the five senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste—brands are finding innovative ways to bridge the digital gap. One approach gaining momentum? Food-centric visuals that leverage the emotional appeal of food.
In a world where shoppers can’t always touch or try products before buying, brands face the challenge of making their products irresistible online. Sensory marketing blends tactile, visual, and auditory cues to grab attention and tap into instinctual and cognitive reactions. Whether it’s the appeal of glossy textures or the nostalgia of familiar scents, sensory marketing transforms how customers experience products online, bringing the feel of in-store shopping to the digital world.
Food has taken center stage in sensory marketing, and it’s no surprise why. Universally understood and emotionally charged, food-inspired visuals are helping brands forge deeper connections in the digital space.
Think about it: food is nostalgia, comfort, and indulgence rolled into one. For ecommerce brands, these emotions are invaluable in bridging the gap between online and physical experiences. When consumers see something that reminds them of a cinnamon roll or whipped cream, they’re not just looking at a product—they’re imagining how it feels, smells, and even tastes.
That’s the magic. Food-inspired visuals aren’t just eye-catching; they spark curiosity and create an emotional pull that turns a passing glance into genuine engagement. It’s a strategy that feels fresh, fun, and deeply effective.
Sensory marketing is still a new concept for many brands, but a few are already ahead of the curve. Rhode, Jacquemus, and Vacation are three examples of pioneers in this space, using food-inspired visuals and storytelling to show how sensory marketing can transform online shopping experiences. Let’s see how each of these brands is innovating in the space, and what makes their approaches so effective.
Hailey Bieber’s Rhode seamlessly blends food and beauty to create a sensory experience that’s as cohesive as it is memorable. Anchored by the “glazed donut” trend, Rhode ties its product promises—smooth, glowing skin—to the shine of a perfectly glazed treat.
The brand’s food-inspired product names, like Glazing Milk, Cinnamon Roll Lip Treatment, and Vanilla Cake Lip Treatment, further this connection. These names aren’t just clever—they evoke the textures, smells, and tastes of the food they reference, making the products feel tangible. Across its ads, product imagery, website, and visual content, Rhode’s commitment to this aesthetic ensures it maintains its position as a visually captivating, highly desirable brand.
Jacquemus has made food an integral part of its creative DNA, using it to add a playful, sensory twist to luxury fashion. From lemon yellow bags framed by fresh citrus to bread-and-butter-themed fashion show invitations, Jacquemus’s campaigns evoke whimsy and nostalgia while maintaining a strong sense of modernity.
By incorporating culinary elements, Jacquemus achieves two things: it makes luxury feel approachable and gives audiences a sensory hook to remember the brand by. The result? A marketing strategy that feels bold, unexpected, and human.
Vacation takes sensory marketing to the next level by making its product the sensory experience. The brand’s Classic Whip SPF 30 Sunscreen Mousse is designed to look, feel, and dispense like whipped cream.
This clever twist transforms a functional product into a moment of surprise and delight. Vacation’s approach doesn’t just protect skin—it captures attention and makes sunscreen a conversation piece, reinforcing the brand’s playful, nostalgic identity.
For creative teams, incorporating sensory marketing doesn’t have to be daunting. Here’s how you can start leveraging this trend to elevate your brand:
Pro Tip: Vizit’s AI-powered platform makes sensory marketing effortless by providing real-time insights into what works and why. Test, optimize, and stay ahead with data-driven decisions that help your content captivate and convert.
Sensory marketing isn’t just a passing trend; it’s shaping 2025’s most innovative campaigns. Personal care, cosmetics, and apparel brands are paving the way, using sensory-driven strategies to create unforgettable connections with their audiences.
Here’s the thing: sensory marketing is only going to get bigger. More brands are weaving it into PDP images, digital ads, and influencer collaborations, making it the next must-have strategy. Creative teams that get on board now will set the bar for what’s next.
With platforms like Vizit, testing and optimizing sensory content is seamless, ensuring your campaigns don’t just ride the trend—they define it. See how Vizit can help creative teams jump on visual trends and transform their strategy.
Vizit is the first—and only—way to predict, measure, optimize, and monitor your ecommerce content’s effectiveness so you can deliver the right content for consumer audiences at scale.
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