Greater scrutiny over pet food ingredients, and an increasing demand for responsibility, sustainability and complete transparency from pet food manufacturers is driving change within the industry. As the consumer demand for “clean” pet food labeling evolves as a major topic within the world of pet packaging, FDA guidelines are shifting.
As such, brands must be prepared well in advance for any mishaps that can happen before, during, and after the product reaches retailers. While the pet food industry in particular has been affected by concerns of listeria and salmonella, in particular, we cannot forget the importance of packaging when it comes to consumer safety.
We already know how influential this consumer base is to other markets and trends, but a new report from Packaged Facts shows just how important this demographic will be to brands in pet food, pet supplements, and other pet products areas. According to the report, pet ownership traditionally declines among consumers after they reach 60 years of age. Younger people are adopting animals at a steadily increasing rate, and they are more willing to invest their attention and dollars on care and products for their furry friends.
As we gear up for the NASC Annual Conference next week, we’ve consulted with industry experts to forecast innovations and changes happening in the world of pet products. Conferences, trade shows, and forums are important to us because they help us better serve our customers and stay ahead of the curve in the pet packaging industry.
The keen senses canines possess make them invaluable in wartime situations. From apprehending insurgents to tracking targets, along with their astute sense of smell, high running speeds, forceful bite, exceptional vision, agility, and strength, dogs have innate gifts that simply cannot be replicated by humans or machines. These warrior dogs have saved tens of thousands of lives, but did you know that until the year 2000, it was legal and common practice to euthanize K-9s after they completed their services?
From the food we feed them to the supplements we provide to keep our pets healthy, careful attention to detail must be placed not only on the products themselves, but also the raw materials, ingredients, and supplement packaging — all are important components that can make or break the quality of the finished product. People truly love their pets, and companies work to foster that bond between humans and their domesticated animals.
From the type of food they purchase to the veterinarian they select, animal lovers often put as much time and care into finding the very best options for their pets’ wellbeing as they do themselves and their families. Animal supplements have become a hugely popular industry, as pet owners seek out nutritional products and vitamins that help strengthen the health and immunity of their cats, dogs, and horses. Just as federal regulations are set in place by the Food and Drug Administration to ensure consumable products are safe for humans, the same standards of quality must be upheld to guarantee animals are not harmed by supplements that are out on the market today.
In fact, pet product sales are expected to hit a whopping $91 billion by 2019, according to Packaged Facts. As our so-called sharing economy continues to take off, we’ll be seeing inventive new companies emerging, offering AirBnB-esque and other unique services reserved for our furry friends. Products, too, are incorporating the latest consumer trends and technologies to make pet owners’ lives simpler and more convenient. Small businesses and mid-market companies alike are paving the way for compelling progress in the pet space.
Meow Mix, Kibbles ‘n Bits, 9Lives, and Snausages may come to mind, and they are a few of the largest products made for cats and dogs. Each of these products is produced, distributed, and marketed by Big Heart Pet Brands. The company is dominating the pet food market, as evidenced by its massive acquisition by J.M. Smucker Co. this past spring. Now, Big Heart Pet Brands has boosted Smucker’s sales 47 percent, contributing $628.2 million to its overall net sales. It’s not just a random surge in demand for pet food that is leading to the companies’ success. Big Heart Pet Brands is making its mark on the industry because of its innovative new products and use of pet food packaging that stands out on the shelves and speaks to customers.
From big-name restaurants to mid-market food manufacturers, we’re seeing a real change in the way food is prepared and packaged. Organic ingredients are revitalizing packaged foods, giving a face-lift to certain snacks once considered “junk food.” As suppliers of environmentally friendly flexible retail packaging, we’re excited to see so many companies taking more a more eco-conscious approach to the goods they’re offering.
