With multiple research papers being done over the last 6 months this information is the best guide to what is important to packaging businesses and us as consumers right now. The top ten key trends are as follows:
Number 1: Changing Demographics - Aging population
It is an agreed fact now that all economies are facing the issue of aging populations and because of this retail stores and packaging design need to reflect this. With easy open and seal, larger easier to read fonts are just a few ares needed to target this sector.
As well as this retailers need to ensure popular products take pride of place in the mid-level shelves and ensure accessibility to these products.
Number 2: Prepared Foods
Although consumers are highly mobile there is now a trend to get back into the kitchen. As consumers we are taking these prepared foods and adding to them in ways that show we are interacting and creating a home cooked meal.
This interest has been supported over the past decade by the considerable
growth of pre-prepared, heat-and-eat, or grab-and-go food and meal choices. This
trend is expected to continue with increased variety, high quality offerings and
more competitive pricing.
Supporting this consumer behavior allows for producers to continue development of portion-specific sizes and formats that further extend product life and offer ease of use.
Supporting this consumer behavior allows for producers to continue development of portion-specific sizes and formats that further extend product life and offer ease of use.
Number 3: Liquids in Flexible Packaging
A growing number of liquid-based brands are adopting flexible packaging formats. From soups to coffee, wine, baby food and energy drinks, consumers appreciate the convenience and portability of a flexible pouch.
Globally, the trend is growing in the breadth and width of product offerings with some of the greatest inroads made along the Pacific Rim. As one member of the study team commented: "If you really want to see innovative liquid packaging, just go to Japan."
Number 4: Sustainability
Environmental responsibility and stewardship have been, and will continue to
be, areas of global focus and innovation. A prime example of this is the
progression from rigid to flexible packaging, with sustainability being cited in
the study as the leading driver.
The shift to flexible has also resulted in packaging material reduction for many brands as well as cost reduction when compared to their rigid counterparts. A recent consumer lifestyle research study points to this trend as a "win-win" for brands, as the shift strongly appeals to a growing community of environmentally informed consumers who seek out brands and products that share their concern for the environment.
The shift to flexible has also resulted in packaging material reduction for many brands as well as cost reduction when compared to their rigid counterparts. A recent consumer lifestyle research study points to this trend as a "win-win" for brands, as the shift strongly appeals to a growing community of environmentally informed consumers who seek out brands and products that share their concern for the environment.
Number 5: Theft and Shrinkage
Theft and shrinkage remain key concerns for retailers. Packaging companies
are being called upon to provide new security measures that safeguard products
from theft throughout the entire supply chain, without compromising the
consumer's experience at point-of-sale or during check-out.
Innovation in this sector is emerging as the new requirement
Innovation in this sector is emerging as the new requirement
Number 6: Over Protective Packaging
In the interest of sale-ability and supply chain, packaging can often be "over-engineered." This is evidenced by the hundreds of reported annual emergency room visits for injuries to hands and fingers, the result of unsuccessful consumer attempts to access products "protected" by virtually impenetrable packaging.
Packaging solutions that strike a smart, reasonable balance between containment and protection, and easier-to-open functionality post-purchase, are expected to grow in demand.
Number 7: Compliance Packaging
Innovative materials and advancements in technology are having a significant
impact. Among the many solutions to the issue are enhanced unit dose packaging
that offers medication protection and a growing array of blister card packs that
improve ease of use and provide more robust patient information.
A highly progressive approach to this national concern for patient safety is resulting in the introduction and development of leading-edge packaging solutions designed to help patients remember and follow drug regimens.
A highly progressive approach to this national concern for patient safety is resulting in the introduction and development of leading-edge packaging solutions designed to help patients remember and follow drug regimens.
Number 8: Codes and Mobile Technology
QR Codes are continuing to provide a wealth of information for consumer brands, including expanded product information and costs savings in packaging, as products require less in the way of inserts or printed information.
Complementary to this are the growing numbers of smartphones and tablets used by consumers to access and share information about products and brands. This behavior shift has resulted in the emergence of "apps" that help guide consumer purchases and decision-making.
Thanks to these "apps" the well-known "moment of truth" at point of sale is rapidly being replaced with a "zero moment of truth" as consumers have completed their fact-finding and decision-making process before even entering the store.
As a result, packaging with interactive, scanable links to information resources will continue to grow as brands seek more "screen time" with consumers on their mobile devices. This trend represents a further shift in the ways that retailers and brands effectively engage more knowledgeable, information-equipped consumers.
Number 9: Flexibility vs Speed
Flexibility in the supply chain has become a key driver as large companies have been transitioning into smaller, de-centralized groups of "brand" companies. We as manufacturers are facing the demand for shorter run length, more rapid changeovers, and the ability to accommodate variety in size, shapes and graphics.Prior to this focus on flexibility, speed and a one size fits all is starting to wane.
Number 10: Increasing Influence of Store Brands
The growth of retail brands represented a noteworthy trend . Nearly 20 per cent of all products currently sold by retail stores are now store brands. WHY:- Increased product quality and the appearance
- A more sophisticated packaging
- Pricing structure
- Best shelf positioning
A product's physical packaging continues to be a key factor in establishing differentiation and preference with consumers. In many product categories, today's shoppers base their opinions on the quality and value of a product by the physical characteristics of the packaging itself, which include materials and shape, applied graphics and package closure.
This is particularly relevant for store brands marketed in flexible packaging. Here, findings revealed an increased percentage of consumers indicating a preference for resealable closure options that could deliver convenience, maintain freshness, and perform reliably throughout the entire product life cycle They also viewed resealable flexible packaging as an enhancement to a brand's perceived and realized value.
In summary:
- Smaller portions
- Involvement with the packaging
- Shelf presence
- Innovative pack designs
- Stand out graphic content
- easy opening / re-closing
- Differentiation
- Smaller run lengths
- Agility in supply chain
- Incorporation of graphic innovation
- Shipper / Display (removal of secondary packaging) Possible Litho-laminated micro flute cartons.
- Move to Micro-flue primary packaging to enact as supply chain shipper removal (tray and shrink)
- Blending of substrates and technology eg; Zipack!
Graeme Hawke
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