As the consumer landscape grows ever more complex, many brand managers are wondering what the future of packaged products will look like and how they can stay ahead of rapidly changing trends to maintain interest in their products.

One thing is for certain: Consumer trends are driving innovation in the marketplace. Now, more than ever, it’s vital for brands to pay attention to the quick-paced evolution of the consumer climate.

Asia has long been a trendsetter for marketing trends and product offerings in the West.

In a recent survey regarding packaging sustainability, Asia emerged as a frontrunner in positive attitudes toward sustainable packaging. For U.S. and European brands looking to stay on top of emerging trends, information recovered by the BillerudKorsnäs Consumer Panel on Packaging Sustainability sheds some much-needed light on what the consumers of tomorrow think about products and their packaging.

While pumpkin has received a lot of attention as a favorite seasonal autumn flavor in the past several years, a number of other flavors on the market are giving pumpkin some serious competition.

However, the pumpkin fad is not going away anytime soon. In fact, pumpkin flavoring can already be seen featured in more products than ever, including salty snacks such as popcorn and snack crackers. Pumpkin is now surrounded by a wealth of other seasonal flavor offerings, which points to a trend in the marketing food of products.

Now is the time for CPG brands to start preparing for a huge spike in product sales.

Adobe Analytics predicts this year’s Cyber Monday will be the largest online shopping day in history. Large retailers and smaller brands alike will see an increase in online and mobile purchases this month as consumers scramble to get their holiday shopping done before products sell out.

Let’s face it — most of us don't have the time, energy or skills to complete all of the awe-inspiring do-it-yourself projects that dazzle us on Pinterest and Instagram.

When considering how to market a food product, many manufacturers are turning to social media to improve the visibility and desirability of their products in today’s competitive marketplace.

Revolution Foods is one company using its social media presence to drive their products to the next level. Social media star and reggae artist Macka B has featured Revolution Foods’ protein powders in his popular weekly video series, “Wha Me Eat Wednesday,” and as a result, has driven the products’ following to new heights.

Are you ready to make the switch from rigid to flexible packaging?

According to a recent study by the FPA, a change as simple as switching to flexible packaging can improve product sales, decrease costs and increase a product’s appeal with consumers.  

The uses for child resistant packaging are endless, but whether or not a particular package complies with the requirements for holding pharmaceuticals, or other products not intended for children, is not always clear.

Recently, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released guidance for ensuring that all child-resistant products and their packaging are clearly labeled. The guide is meant to aid manufacturers, packagers and distributors alike in determining how to properly label child-resistant products and packages, and that custom labels are both consistent and informative.

While health-conscious eating is on the rise, few consumers have time to organize their lives around preparing and consuming healthy meals at specific times.

Consequently, food manufacturers are seeing an increase in the demand for snack foods that can present the same healthiness and nutritional value of complete meals, while also offering convenience, portion control and portability to their customers. As the boundary between snacking and dining shifts, the ways in which food companies are marketing snacks is also changing to accommodate a new generation of consumers. 

When food industry leaders want to get in front of the right players, tradeshows and expos can be a goldmine.

They are the perfect opportunity for retailers, distributors, investors and customers to gather in a central location and see what new, cutting-edge products and services are soon to emerge in the marketplace. Tradeshows are a great opportunity to highlight your brand and market your goods in person... but, as you know, there is more to growing your business than promoting your offerings in a busy expo environment.