Flexible retail packaging has experienced some of the most rapid growth in its sector over the last decade.
A new report shows that this type of packaging will reach $210 billion this year as demand increases across the globe. Food and beverage companies are choosing flexible containers like stand up pouches and barrier bags to contain their goods because of the numerous ways it keeps their products protected. These companies know that flexible packaging is one of the easiest, most cost-efficient ways to get their products on the shelves and market their brand so customers recognize it and choose it time and time again.
But what is it about this type of container that resonates so well with consumers? Convenience and sustainability are two huge factors today’s shopper keeps in mind when purchasing goods at the supermarket. People want quick, easy packaging they can both open without struggle and reseal to keep their food and drinks fresh. Today’s consumer is conscious of his or her health and wellbeing, as well as the impact they have on the world around them. They search for brands that are committed to ethical practices and delivering nutritious food packaged in containers that can be recycled or reused.
Let’s look at the top five reasons today’s savvy shopper prefers purchasing products that are protected in flexible packaging.
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1. It keeps products fresh.
This is absolutely essential – if your food quickly turns stale because of poor packaging, consumers will feel they have wasted their money. When they take a bite of your less-than-fresh product, their reaction to it will not be pleasant, therefore tarnishing their overall perception of your offering. Stand up pouches are made of high-grade barrier materials that effectively seal in the product and maintain a longer shelf life. These laminated layers of film keep out oxygen, which is crucial to ensuring the product stays fresh. Resealable zip locks and spouts allow consumers to keep reusing the same container while knowing the goods inside will be protected from outside elements, puncture, or breakage.
2. It’s good for the environment. Producing flexiblel packaging requires significantly less resources than heavy, bulky glass or metal containers. It takes less fuel to ship the packaging to food and beverage companies and retail stores, which means brands that choose pouches and bags are making efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. Flexible retail packaging can be recycled and reused, and it’s landfill friendly. Stand up pouches don’t require lots of additional packaging to keep a product safe. Think about a box of cereal – it comes with the outside cardboard container, as well as a plastic bag on the inside. This results in a lot of trash, whereas flexible packaging by itself contains the product more effectively, producing significantly less waste.
3. It doesn’t take up much space. As adults downsize their homes, college students move into dorms, and new parents acquire more household items, storage space is a definite concern for any consumer demographic. Flexible retail packaging can be custom-sized and tailored to fit the specific products being packaged rather than using the one-size-fits-all approach that is so common with boxes or tins. Pouches can be filled to the top and expand to hold a large amount of the product while staying thin enough to fit multiple packages in cupboards or refrigerators. Stand up pouches are also perfect for on-the-go lifestyles, as they can easily fit into a bag or purse without taking up much room or breaking.
4. It’s innovative and unique. Technology has helped flexible packaging become the preferred form of containing a product because it is modern, unique, and lends well to creative designs. They say “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but we all know that an eye-catching exterior will instantly grab our attention and spark our curiosity about the product inside. People factor packaging into their overall perception of a product, and they like to purchase from brands that are staying at the forefront of their industry by innovating and using the latest developments to present their offerings.
5. It’s easy to use. Pour spouts, zippers, and tear notches are just a few features that make flexible packaging more user friendly than traditional jars, cans, or bottles. You don’t need any additional tools to get them open or reseal them to lock in freshness. You can pour the product directly from the pouch, eliminating the need to grab an auxiliary bag or container to put your product in once it has been exposed to oxygen.
Stand up pouches are convenient, easy to open, keep products fresh, and show off a brand’s values and vision in the best possible light. It’s recyclable and good to the earth, and it communicates to consumers that companies are really listening to their wants and needs and are adjusting their products accordingly.
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