You may have seen the TV ads. An actor, dressed in black, with stubbly beard and dark hair, looking for all the world like Tony Soprano’s nephew, as he sits smugly with this legs up on the table. He kicks the competitor's bottle of vodka off the table and proclaims that his brand pours him a measured shot, while inquiring what the competitor’s brand does for him. Sticking with alcoholic products, one beer brand has a thermometer imprinted on the side of the can, in case the consumer can’t tell if it’s cold while touching it and needs a visual confirmation of the beer's ice-coldness; another may have a new type of tear tab, or larger mouth, to allow more beer to be consumed quickly. It’s happening with most consumer products; the packaging is a greater selling point than the product within. It appears consumers want these conveniences. In many of these scenarios, the cost of packaging is likely greater than the cost of the product it contains.
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Liberty Intercept Blog
A Look at Packaging Costs
Posted by Joe Spitz on Oct 8, 2013 8:45:00 PM
You may have seen the TV ads. An actor, dressed in black, with stubbly beard and dark hair, looking for all the world like Tony Soprano’s nephew, as he sits smugly with this legs up on the table. He kicks the competitor's bottle of vodka off the table and proclaims that his brand pours him a measured shot, while inquiring what the competitor’s brand does for him. Sticking with alcoholic products, one beer brand has a thermometer imprinted on the side of the can, in case the consumer can’t tell if it’s cold while touching it and needs a visual confirmation of the beer's ice-coldness; another may have a new type of tear tab, or larger mouth, to allow more beer to be consumed quickly. It’s happening with most consumer products; the packaging is a greater selling point than the product within. It appears consumers want these conveniences. In many of these scenarios, the cost of packaging is likely greater than the cost of the product it contains.
Read MoreTopics: better packaging, industrial packaging, retail packaging
Packaging Saves the Day - Part One
Posted by Elaine Spitz on Oct 27, 2011 12:27:00 PM
I read an article in Packaging News this week admonishing people within the packaging industry (specifically food packaging, but it could apply to all) to stop playing the victim. That phrasing took me by surprise briefly, but I understand. Packaging, particularly in the retail realm, is often thought of as wasteful and unnecessary. According to this article, at the Ardagh Group’s sustainable packaging event in Paris, Professor Dr. Michael Braungart told Packaging News, "the packaging industry is saving more lives than any other industry, by protecting food and ensuring longer shelf-life for food." He went on to accuse the packaging industry of "guilt management", for example, "we were 100% bad and now we are 90% bad and our goal is to minimise our impact".
Topics: industrial packaging, retail packaging, Static Intercept
Protective Packaging, the Unsung Hero of Consumer Packaged Goods
Posted by Elaine Spitz on Aug 30, 2011 6:23:00 AM
I asked Simon Twilley of Pack TV to supply me with a blog post topic. His quick answer was this: "Protective Packaging, the unsung hero of Consumer Packaged Goods, or Fast Moving Consumer Goods". While his alternative title, "Why All That Arty Farty Brand Stuff Would Never Get To The Shelf Without Protective Packaging" was a bit tongue-in-cheek, the topic is valid, as new materials, converting methods, printing, and labeling flood the consumer marketplace.
Topics: retail packaging, protective packaging
Why Good Customer Service Matters
Posted by Elaine Spitz on Aug 25, 2011 6:40:00 AM
A recent article from retail packaging powerhouse and fellow Twitterer Nashville Wraps (@NashvilleWraps on Twitter) brought home the real value of good customer service. Their article "Relaxed Customers Spend More Money" includes a list of the categories that matter to customers.
Topics: B2B, customer service, retail packaging
Good Packaging - Today's Examples
Posted by Elaine Spitz on May 26, 2011 5:33:00 AM
There's much experimentation going on in the packaging world. Focus on the environment and sustainability requires reworks, better materials, and enhanced features in retail and industrial packaging to ensure the highest freshness and viability of products during shipping, storage, and in use.
Topics: American manufacturing, consumer products, good packaging matters, retail packaging
Willie Nelson’s Ode to Packaging
Posted by Elaine Spitz on Mar 28, 2011 8:33:00 PM
“You are always on my mind”...... it’s true - packaging is something I enjoy immensely and notice constantly - new materials, designs, labels, colors, and from my experience in the ad specialties industry, logos - packaging is always on my mind.
What brings this subject to mind is my very recent new-found respect for grocery store brands. I first noticed it when introduced to Whole Foods house brand 365. The products are good quality and definitely a value when compared with their pricing on other items.
Topics: packaging, retail packaging