espresso_royale Given the popularity of the contents among Americans, it's no surprise that coffee packaging is big business. Of course, if you're reading this, you already know this. It is estimated that there are100 million coffee drinkers in the United States. Of those, 24 percent drink 13 cups or more of coffee per week and a full 60 percent claim that they require a cup of coffee to start their day. What this all means, of course, is that you are in a very competitive industry, one which requires that you avail yourself of every edge to stand out from your competitors. Which brings us back to packaging, one of the most effective marketing tools at your disposal. As leaders in the industry, we thought we'd share what we know about choosing the best coffee packaging for beating your competition and more specifically flexible barrier bags for coffee.

Let's start with the basics, those properties that barrier bags for coffee must possess in order to be effective. First and foremost, coffee packaging needs to be strong, durable and, preferably puncture-resistant. It should protect your coffee, whether ground or whole bean, from vapor, odor, moisture, pests, extra air, and UV light. Because most coffee products are preservative-free, the package should also protect coffee's freshness, flavor, and aroma, thereby extending your product's shelf life.

Coffee packaging should also be convenient to use. Ask yourself these questions about your current packaging choice:

Can it be easily opened without creating a mess?
Can it be resealed, thereby preserving your brand, or is there a need to transfer the contents to another container?
Can it be stored conveniently?

If the answer to one or more of these questions is no, then we suggest you keep reading.

Unbeknownst to most consumers, marketing a brand is one of the most important functions of packaging. A product's package is what the undecided consumer sees on the store shelf, and its appearance may be the final opportunity your brand has to stand out from the competition and influence the shopper's buying decision. Therefore, if your current packaging choice does not stand apart or offer various labeling and branding features, it may not be carrying its share of your brand's marketing load.

One additional feature that distinguishes packaging is the extent to which it demonstrates your brand's philosophy regarding socially responsible policies and practices such as care of the environment. While certainly not the primary factor that most consumers consider when deciding which brand to buy, the degree to which the company engages in environmentally conscious manufacturing processes and/or uses eco-friendly barrier bags for coffee can carry significant weight with a segment of your target market. Items to think about:

Are the manufacturing processes energy-efficient?
Is there efficient use of the raw materials needed for your packaging?
What amount of fuel is required to ship each unit?
How much waste is ultimately generated by the primary package and any additional or supplemental packaging that may be required?
Is the packaging landfill friendly (i.e., does it take up a great deal of space or can it be compressed)?
Is your current packaging recyclable?

If you are thinking about changing your packaging, compare what you're currently using with barrier bags for coffee such as flat bottom flexible box bags, stand up pouches, flat barrier bags, and even traditional quad seal coffee bags. We think a flexible barrier solution stands above the other choices available to you and is indeed the best packaging for beating your competition.