Welcome to our living reserve of the trends shaping visual merchandising and branded experiences in 2026. In an era where “viral” lasts a week and “innovation” happens overnight, keeping track of the noise is a full-time job. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you. 

Every month, we update this blog with the key shifts in technology, consumer sentiment, and market data. 

Displays shown are for reference only and were not produced by The Bernard Group. The Bernard Group has the capabilities to create these displays and more.

January Visual Merchandising Trends

Current retail trends emphasize the creation of warmer, more engaging environments, often through the application of design principles such as Neo-Chromatic Minimalism, Sculptural Storytelling, Augmented Reality (AR) Wayfinding, and Crafted Materiality.

Neo-Chromatic Minimalism

The focus is shifting towards sophisticated color schemes, featuring muted pastels alongside vibrant accent colors that are used sparingly for a subtle “pop.” Retail spaces are evolving past extreme minimalism, embracing a warmer, more inviting look designed to convey a sense of calm and optimism.

  • Windows: Single impactful accent color against neutral surfaces
  • Props & Textures: Matte finishes paired with one glossy element
  • Lighting: Soft, diffused washes with spotlighted color pops

Sculptural Storytelling

The current trend favors art-inspired fixtures and organic, sculptural forms. Retail displays are transforming into small, asymmetrical, and tactile installations, moving beyond transactional presentations to create experiences for customers. These sculptural elements are key to anchoring the narrative and encouraging exploration within the space.

  • Feature Walls: 3D elements that double as photo-op backdrops
  • Pedestals & Props: Curved or abstract shapes vs block cubes
  • Materials: Molded composites, mixed materials

Augmented Reality (AR) Wayfinding

Augmented Reality (AR) is seeing a surge in sophisticated, scalable, and functional applications, moving beyond novelty. Key integrations (such as product finders, style inspiration, and social sharing features) are bridging the gap between digital and in-store shopping experiences. This evolution significantly lowers the hurdle for product discovery and boosts customer engagement.

  • Interactive Stations: Scan a marker to see collection stories or matching sets
  • Virtual Styling: AR overlays on mannequin tableaux
  • QR Lenses: Instant social filters tied to display themes

Crafted Materiality

Embrace Handmade Feels! This trend highlights artisanal materials, mixed media, and repurposed elements, celebrating wabi-sabi imperfections. It brings a sense of warmth and perceived authenticity to products, particularly as consumers increasingly question mass production.

  • Props: Paper, leather, textiles, metal
  • Fabrics: Leather over techno synthetics, metals

February Visual Merchandising Trends

CEW State of the Industry 2026: Beauty at a Crossroads & Digital Acceleration



Nicole Tribble, Principal Designer at TBG, spent the day with CEW, NielsenIQ, Pinterest and Circana to see where the beauty industry is headed. Here is your 2026 survival guide:

Market Outlook: The Economic Crossroads
Speakers: BCG (Perry Edelstein, Pierre Duprelle)

  • The Context: We are in a “K-shaped” economy. Inflation is down, but prices remain structurally high.
  • The Split:
  • Luxury/Prestige: Winning. High-income earners are insulated and spending.
  • Mass Market: Challenged. Low-income consumers are pulling back or being highly selective.
  • Retail Shift: Traditional paths are blurring. Amazon is growing; retailers like Target/Walmart are leaning harder into beauty.
  • Key Insight: “Winning is about navigating category dynamics… avoiding Amazon is [no longer a viable strategy], be present where consumers are going.”


Trends: “Trendsetting with Intention”
Speaker: Pinterest (Tabitha Hogan)

  • Signal: High-intent planning (saves/boards) predicts trends better than views.
  • 2026 Color Palette:
  • Top trend:Cool Blue, Icy, sleek, futuristic.
  • Others: Jade, Plum Noir, Wasabi, Persimmon.
  • Aesthetic: “The Opera Aesthetic” (Maximalism, burgundy, pearls, drama).
  • Gen Z: They plan a new aesthetic every 12 seconds on Pinterest.
  • “Over the past 6 years, 88% of Pinterest predicts trends have come true”

Tech: The Future of Discovery (AI & Social)
Speaker: Iced Media (Leslie Ann Hall)

  • The Shift: We are entering the “Zero Click Era.” Consumers will check out inside the AI chat window (e.g., via Shopify integration in ChatGPT).
  • How to Rank in AI: LLMs cite 8–23 sources. You must be present on:
  • Reddit (The #1 cited source).
  • YouTube, Byrdie, Allure.
  • New Ad Formats: YouTube Shorts Stickers, Reddit Free-Form Ads, TikTok Shoppable Photos.


Global Data: State of Global Beauty 2026
Speaker: NielsenIQ (Tara James Taylor)

  • Growth: Global beauty up 10%.
  • Channel Dynamics:
  • TikTok Shop: Now the #2 e-commerce merchant in the UK; #6 in the US.
  • Amazon: Still dominant.
  • Drugstores: Currently the softest channel; needs a rebound.
  • Neuroscience in Ads: Brain scans show consumers respond best to:
  • Simplicity.
  • Realistic usage (mirroring).
  • Authenticity (real people, close-ups).
  • Avoid: Negativity and too many fast cuts.


Social Commerce: The UGC Flywheel & TikTok
Speakers: Skeepers (Anna Araman) & Charm.io (Alex Nissanzan)

  • UGC Strategy: Use UGC(user generated content) for SEO (text reviews) and PDPs (product detail pages), not just social.
  • TikTok Halo: TikTok Shop is an awareness engine.
  • Stat: A TikTok sales spike drives a 65% lift in Amazon search demand.
  • Success Criteria: Products must be Demo-able (easy to show value visually) and have Fulfillment Elasticity (don’t run out of stock).


US Market Deep Dive: From Resilience to Radiance
Speaker: Circana (Larissa Jensen)

  • “Sun Shower” Economy: Stormy macroeconomics, but beauty is the sunshine.
  • GLP-1 Impact: A massive new variable.
  • GLP-1 users spend more on beauty (prestige skincare, hair thinning products, and fragrance to replace food dopamine).
  • Category Winners:
  • Fragrance: Stabilizing but huge gift category.
  • Hair: Hair loss/growth products are booming.
  • Supplements: Creatine, Magnesium, and “Greens” (Inside-out beauty).
  • Top Launch Examples:
  • Prestige: Chanel (Splendide), Prada (Paradigm).
  • Mass: L’Oreal Paris, EOS (Cashmere Vanilla), Maybelline (Mascara)

March Visual Merchandising Trends

Part 2 CEW State of the Industry 2026:
Pinterest PredictsTM 2026

Nicole, our Principal Designer here at The Bernard Group, recently attended the CEW State of the Industry 2026 presentation of Pinterest Predicts 2026.

It was an incredible opportunity to connect with fellow industry professionals and get a first look at the transformative trends set to dominate the market. As the retail landscape continues to evolve into a “K-shaped” economy where prestige and mass market dynamics blur, staying ahead of consumer intention is more critical than ever.

The upcoming year is defined by a shift away from minimalism toward maximalism, tactile textures, and high-contrast cultural fusions. For TBG, this translates to complex fabrication needs involving diverse materials like red marble, chrome, lace, and rubberized finishes.

Here are a few high-velocity trends Nicole identified that will redefine Visual Merchandising (VM) and experiential retail this year:

1. High-Impact Fabrication & Interior Trends

  • Neo Deco (+100% for antique bar carts): A modern, sleek take on Art Deco using chrome, brass, and geometric hits like chevrons and fan arches.
  • Afrohemian Decor (+220% for afrobohemian home decor): A fusion of African and bohemian styles requiring colorful textiles, Ethiopian-inspired wall art, and handwoven textures.
  • Fun Haus (+130% for circus interior): An elevated “camp” aesthetic featuring bold stripes, sculptural silhouettes, and “clownish charm”.

2. Maximalist Fashion & Visual Merchandising

  • Glamoratti (+225% for 80s luxury): A return to “decadence” through sculpted shoulders, tailored silhouettes, and chunky gold accents.
  • Laced Up (+215% for lace nails): Unexpected elegance using doilies, lace collars, and crochet textures across diverse product categories.
  • Khaki Coded (+100% for brown linen shirts): A “paleontologist” and adventure-ready aesthetic featuring utility-focused designs with multiple pockets.

3. Immersive Beauty & Sensory Environments

  • Scent Stacking (+500% for niche perfume collections): Focuses on bespoke fragrance formulas and layered luxury, ideal for interactive sensory displays.
  • Gimme Gummy (+130% for jelly blush): A tactile obsession with rubberized finishes, 3D jewelry, and bendy materials.
  • Vamp Romantic (+180% for gothic coffin nails): An “after-dark” glamour utilizing jet black, romantic goth hair, and smudged kohl.

4. Experiential Travel & Event Themes

  • Mystic Outlands (+465% for Scotland highlands aesthetic): Creating “fairytale meets fever dream” environments with mist, distant ruins, and enchanting forest motifs.
  • Opera Aesthetic (+95% for midnight masquerade): Dramatic gathering spaces using heavy drapery, dark cabaret vibes, and red roses.

How TBG Can Support the 2026 Vision

As brands look to move these digital trends into the physical world, TBG is positioned to execute the following:

  • Complex Material Sourcing: Sourcing the specific textures—from chrome and brass to rubberized “gummy” finishes—required to make these trends authentic.
  • Custom Fabrication: Building the sculptural silhouettes of “Fun Haus” or the oversized, tailored structures of “Glamoratti”.
  • Sensory Activations: Designing environments that allow for “Scent Stacking” and tactile engagement with “Gimme Gummy” products.
Legal Disclaimer: Pinterest Predicts 2026

General Information Purpose Only The information provided in this presentation, including trend forecasts and search volume growth percentages, is for informational and planning purposes only. While these predictions are based on Pinterest’s analysis of global internal search data, they are projections of future behavior and do not guarantee specific commercial outcomes or market performance.

Data Sourcing and Methodology All search data and growth percentages are sourced from Pinterest internal data, specifically English-language global searches. The analysis period covers September 2023 to August 2025, comparing normalized search volumes against the previous period (September 2022 to August 2024) to calculate growth trends.

Demographic and Generational Data

Trend “Early Adopters” and demographic insights are defined by specific age ranges as of 2026:

  • Gen Z: Ages 18–27.
  • Millennials: Ages 28–43.
  • Gen X: Ages 44–59.
  • Baby Boomers: Ages 60+.

Advertising and Compliance Pinterest’s Advertising Guidelines prohibit the targeting of any audience based on sensitive categories, including gender identity, race, ethnicity, or religious beliefs. Users of this data are responsible for ensuring that any resulting marketing or business strategies comply with local advertising laws and platform-specific policies.

Third-Party Execution

Any reference to third-party execution partners, such as TBG (The Bernard Group), is for service recommendation purposes. Execution of these trends through third-party vendors is subject to separate contractual agreements between the respective parties.

April Visual Merchandising Trends

Innovation on Tap: Our Highlights from KBIS 2026

It’s one thing to read about the future of home design; it’s another to walk through 1,150,000+ net square feet of it. This February, members of The Bernard Group team—including principal designer Nicole Tribble, designer Alex Marble and account manager Chuck Vacha—headed to Orlando, Florida, for KBIS 2026.The energy this year was electric, and for good reason: the event attracted a record-breaking crowd of over 117,000 industry professionals and featured more than 2,250 exhibitors. From smart-home integration to stunning new finishes, here is what caught our eye on the show floor.

Kohler: The Ultimate “House Party”

Kohler was undeniably the star of the show this year. Their “Welcome to Our Kohler House Party” theme wasn’t just a booth; it was an immersive experience that stood head and shoulders above the rest.

  • The Dekoda Experience: One of the most talked-about innovations was the Kohler Dekoda Integrated Health Experience & App, a “Best of KBIS” finalist. This smart toilet device and app are designed to take health personally, tracking habits to help users find a “sharper focus”.
  • Next-Level Materials: The booth showcased incredible build-outs, including the use of back-lit PETG and impressive shower displays that felt more like water fountains.
  • Wellness Tech: Beyond the bathroom, they leaned heavily into the “Livable Luxe” trend with full-scale saunas and integrated health technology.

Moen: Bold Colors and Big Screens

Moen made a massive statement with their unconventional and impressive full-scale video wall. They weren’t afraid to play with aesthetics, showcasing unique color combinations and their Sleek™ Collection of fixtures. The brand successfully blended high-tech visuals with high-end design, proving that the future of the kitchen and bath is anything but monochromatic.

Cosentino: High-End Hospitality

The Cosentino space was a masterclass in luxury. Their high-end marble build-out was a “Best of KBIS” standout, highlighting the beauty of innovative surfaces. To make the experience even better, they hosted a lovely coffee bar, creating a space that felt as much like a boutique hotel lounge as an exhibition.

Toto: Transparent Technology

Ever wonder how a high-efficiency toilet actually works? Toto provided the answer with their clear fixtures. By using see-through tubs and toilets, they were able to show off the internal technology and engineering that usually stays hidden behind porcelain. It was a fascinating, “tech-forward” approach to essential home hardware.

Final Thoughts from the Floor

KBIS 2026 was a massive, impressive opportunity to see how the industry is evolving. Whether it was KitchenAid’s new oven cameras with food recognition or Kohler’s New Dekoda Health Experience and App, the focus was clear: technology should make life uncomplicated.

We’re returning to the office with a wealth of new materials, finishes, and ideas to share with our clients. The kitchen and bath industry is moving toward a more personalized, tech-integrated, and “livable luxe” future, and we can’t wait to see these trends come to life in our upcoming projects.

What do you think is the most exciting “smart home” feature—would you use an app to track your bathroom health habits?