CPG companies in North America (the United States, in particular) need to take a long hard look at their success at the retail store level and, for once, consider the effect their packaging is having on that success (or lack thereof).  

Just one walk down a local grocery aisle, or even a major retailer like Walmart, and we are overwhelmed with The Sea of the Same™ — the same folding cartons, cereal boxes and yes… stand up pouches, just printed differently, of course.

With the launch of Kim Kardashian’s recent cosmetics line, KKW Beauty, many consumers are taking to the internet to vent their frustrations over Kim’s lack of attention to detail.

Carrying a price tag that should put them more in line with luxury beauty products, the KKW Beauty line falls short in a number of ways, packaging being a major one. Besides being expensive, difficult to use and low quality, consumers are calling attention to the brand’s lackluster beauty packaging, which is a problem that could easily have been avoided with some careful attention to detail and a better packaging partner.

The familiar spice retailer McCormick has recently introduced a series of new breakfast slow-cooker seasoning packets to their offerings.

Packaged in brightly colored custom printed pouches, the seasoning packets also include recipes for their use. The seasoning packets are directly in line with McCormick’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint, while also creating innovative new solutions for flavoring food in today’s fast-paced world.

The winter holiday season is in full swing, and it’s no secret that excess is the name of the game this time of year.

Consumers — young adults in particular — are increasing their gift purchasing this holiday season, with a reported 46 percent of shoppers 18-24 years old saying they plan to spend more on presents this year. Retail sales through the end of the year are projected to increase to roughly four percent, totaling approximately $679 billion dollars.

Ohio grocery brand Kroger recently turned heads in the grocery world by hosting a first-of-its-kind Natural Innovation Summit at its headquarters in Cincinnati.

The summit is a new food marketing strategy that brought more than 50 natural food brands directly to Kroger category managers as part of a larger set of the grocery chain’s initiatives to integrate more natural foods into its stores.

Innovation is a key part of any brand’s success, especially now, as the world moves toward a more complex, global marketplace that demands sustainability from companies of all kinds.

Product packaging is just one facet that companies looking to stay current will need to consider as they navigate consumers' rapidly changing expectations. Buyers today demand packaging that is convenient, eco-friendly and well-designed, which means some traditional packaging methods are starting to look more problematic than they are practical.

There’s no doubt the cannabis market is currently experiencing a major boom, which is set to continue to the tune of around 20 percent per year.

Every day, brands across the country are leveraging social media to build connections and increase sales.

The power of social media is undeniable, as it gives companies the ability to reach thousands of people at the push of a button. But what does this have to do with protective packaging?

From Twitter to Pinterest, opportunities for marketing your custom stand up bags are around every corner. Consumers are enamored with the next best thing, and news of the hot and trending is easily found on one (or more) social media platforms.

And when your packaging is hot and trending on social media, it increases your chances of boosting sales.

Now do we have your attention?

We understand that this is easier said than done. So, how can a company successfully connect with consumers via social media through the powers of protective packaging like custom stand up pouches?

Let’s discuss the strategies.

How much can product packaging designs affect the success of an item’s following in the marketplace?

A look at the recent success of La Croix’s drink packaging, a now fashionable but once rather obscure soft drink from the Midwest, offers some valuable insights into how to approach food and beverage marketing in the digital age.

As consumers push for more sustainable options in the marketplace, some have proclaimed the “end of packaging” is near.

However, not all objects are as conveniently self-packaged as bananas and coconuts. While in the future we will certainly need more sustainable packaging with innovative new design solutions, packaging is far from obsolete. To better understand why packaging is necessary, we must first consider what major purposes it serves: