Food isn’t just for eating, it’s a genius marketing strategy

You might scroll past a video of honey dripping or butter melting and think: "That looks delicious." But more than just a craving, brands are counting on that reaction to sell you something that isn’t even edible.

Welcome to the world of sensory marketing.

Food has a unique power. It’s not just visual, it evokes texture, memory, taste, and even comfort. Brands are using this to their advantage, tapping into how we feel food, not just how we see it.

Source: Fabric Academy

Beauty Gets a Taste of It

Beauty brands, in particular, have embraced food as a storytelling tool. When you’re shopping online and can’t physically test a cream or lip balm, a visual shortcut like a thick spread of butter, a glossy drip of honey, or a soft slice of bread immediately helps your brain fill in the gaps. It says, “This product is rich, creamy, soft, comforting, just like this texture.”

Staple Imagery

Take brands like Misho, Jacquemus, and Typology. They’ve incorporated visuals of bread and butter not just to reflect softness or minimalism, but to draw a deeper metaphor: just like bread is a daily staple, so are their products. It’s visual poetry with marketing intent.

Source: Sky Society

Loewe: A Masterclass

And then there’s Loewe, who uses food in its product campaigns like an art form. Whether it’s citrus next to a fragrance bottle or fruit nestled next to leather, the brand merges everyday edibles with luxury design to create contrast, curiosity, and deeper engagement.

Source: i-D

Why It Works

Incorporating food in product photography or campaigns isn’t just aesthetic, it’s strategy. It creates an emotional connection. It builds visual associations that make a product feel tangible through a screen.

So the next time you see a product launch using bread, honey, or butter, know this,it’s not random. It’s good marketing.

Peach-perfect marketing strategies await, get in touch.