With the economy struggling over the past few years, package design focus has tipped more toward making packages that maximize cost effectiveness in the value chain. Attention to cost always will be important, but in recent times the increased emphasis often came at the expense of value and convenience to the consumer.
That is about to change, at least in beverages, where value and convenience packaging are poised to make a comeback, according to a new study from Canadean, an industry analyst firm. An article from NZ Exporter, quoting Canadean’s report, says a decline in consumer spending power, wide swings in materials prices, and reduced access to capital investment created a shift away from value and convenience in packaging.
However, disposable incomes have begun to inch higher in many households, and retailers are beginning to see some consumers trading up in products, opting once again for features that include packaging that provides more user convenience.
Perhaps in the future, we can look forward to seeing more innovative products such as the Coil-to-Can technology, created by Exal Corp. and Alcoa Rigid Packaging, that allows for the creation of shaped bottle cans that provide visual pop also allow for higher line speeds and lighter packages.
