The color forecast for 2013-2014 is out, and once again is a reflection of our ever-changing times. For example, Emerald Green has been declared the top color for 2013 by Pantone. A color that has long represented newness and growth, green represents moving forward in the difficult economic times we live in. A quick look around any furniture or home goods store in 2013 will most likely turn up a host of accessories and home décor items done in shades of emerald. That said, blue has also been predicted to be a major player in the world of color for 2013-2014. Again, difficult times make the soothing hues of blue attractive to consumers.

Choosing these “hot” colors is an ongoing task that takes into consideration many factors such as news and world events, fashion trends, nature, automotive design, textiles, print and sociological trends. Color professionals leave no stone unturned when searching for the colors that will represent a particular season or time period. Store displays, websites, social media sites such as Pinterest and Instagram are also studied. While social media websites are relatively new venues, they tend to reflect the likes and dislikes of the general public and are very useful for determining what colors will be hot.

What Does This Mean for the Paint and Decorating Retailer?

As a paint retailer it is vital that you and your employees understand how to help consumers incorporate color into their environment. It is also essential that the paint retailer makes sure customers realize that when it comes to decorating and freshening their homes and businesses, there is no better bang for their buck than a can of paint. It is hard to imagine anything that can change the entire look and feel of a room or the exterior of a home more quickly and economically than a fresh coat of paint.

Keeping up with current trends and knowing what colors the public is asking for will go a long way in helping you to keep your customers happy. And as we all know, a happy customer is a loyal customer!

Reading your monthly copy of Paint & Decorating Retailer is a great way to keep current with all of the latest industry news and up-to-date decorating trends!