That kind of effect can amplify the apparent popularity of various things. 40% want the boring colors but the other 60% are very-divided over what they'd like,

That kind of effect can amplify the apparent popularity of various things. 40% want the boring colors but the other 60% are very-divided over what they'd like, so it ends up looking like 90% want the boring colors because most people won't pay (much) extra to get the color they want, and manufacturers favor not-offensive over actually-desired in a lot of cases.