Discover your next big idea at PACK EXPO Las Vegas this September
Experience a breakthrough in packaging & processing and transform your business with solutions from 2,300 suppliers spanning all industries.
REGISTER NOW & SAVE

Retail-ready packaging (RRP) driving flexible packaging adoption

Large retailers and club stores are pushing the trend towards RRP and flexible packaging, to simplify the stocking and shelving process by minimizing labor.

Retail Ready
Retail Ready

According to the “2019 Flexible Packaging Assessment Report” by PMMI Business Intelligence, retail-ready flexible packaging formats create efficiencies in the overall supply chain, and retailers are moving away from product design that uses peg bars to reduce labor time. Said one director of engineering for a food manufacturer, “Most retailers want to get away from pegs that they used to use for the pouches and just go with retail-ready trays.” Also, stores such as Safeway are using gussets with pusher trays to help products stand.

Consumers are also demanding retail-ready packaging and the convenience it offers, pushing manufacturers to create visually appealing flexible packaging that is easy to identify. RRP also makes it easier to pull orders from distribution centers, and reduces the likelihood of out-of-stock items – which could boost sales up to 3-5%.

Some of the features that manufacturers are looking for are easy to open, easy to place on shelves, and easy to replenish. Stand-up pouches, pouches with spout fitments and functional trays are well-suited to these demands, though according to the report, “Manufacturers claim that nearly everything is ending up on trays and that retailers are getting rid of pegs, as this minimizes labor. The convenience of placing trays on the shelf saves a lot of time.”

Coding, Marking, and Labeling Innovations Report
Explore our editor-curated report featuring cutting-edge coding, labeling, and RFID innovations from PACK EXPO 2024. Discover high-speed digital printing, sustainable label materials, automated labeling systems, and advanced traceability solutions that are transforming packaging operations across industries.
Access Report
Coding, Marking, and Labeling Innovations Report
Is your palletizing solution leaving money on the floor?
Discover which palletizing technology—robotic, conventional, or hybrid—will maximize your packaging line efficiency while minimizing long-term costs in this comprehensive analysis.
Read More
Is your palletizing solution leaving money on the floor?