What will be hot on store shelves in the new year? The Independent cites 10 areas that Mintel has identified on its trend-watch list for 2010. Each of these areas, Mintel says, will play into product development. Packaging could play a role as well.
The 10 areas are symbol reduction, sodium reduction, a redefining of the term "local," simple made special, color-coding, products for children, multipurpose products, "If there's an app for that," fresher and fewer ingredients, and private label.
Each trend, in its own way, could involve packaging tactics that signal value as products fight to be noticed, especially in crowded categories. Mintel’s report notes that consumer packaged goods companies will be introducing a new twist to some familiar products.
Watch for new ideas in packaging, too. With the economy beginning to show glimpses of rebounding, brand owners are starting to become a little more receptive to ideas that push innovation boundaries. Those companies that are willing to make such an investment in packaging could bring notable changes to some categories in 2010.
