Robert Hogan

At the Store Brands Decisions conference, packaging expert Robert Hogan shared five packaging innovation trends emerging in store brands. Hogan is the director of global business development and Asia for Zip-Pak, a maker of resealable packages.

He presented a top-level view of how innovation is making its way into store-brand packaging. Zip-Pak submitted the following synopsis of his presentation.

The highest-quality innovative packaging is in Japan

If you want to see the highest-quality innovative packaging, just look to Japan, where packaging is regarded as a piece of fine art, created not only for ease of use but also for aesthetic pleasure.

A Tokyo hotel, for instance, offers individually packaged Q-tips by laser-scoring vertical lines on the plastic package to help the consumer access each one separately.

Another example is gum packaging. In North America, consumers complain that packages of chewing gum are difficult to open and reseal, resulting in packaging failure and the gum falling out. Japanese gum packages open neatly, and consumers can access each piece easily. There are even instructions for use on the Japanese packaging, another example of their extreme attention to detail.

Consumers like the convenience of a zipper on flexible packaging

Increasingly, consumer preference at point-of-sale is being influenced by the addition of innovative features in product packaging, like a resealable closure on a bag of salty snacks. This shift in behavior is being observed for both new and established store brands.

And with today’s speed to market, retailers can readily afford a new consumer-preferred technology, such as the front-panel Inno-Lok zipper found on Target’s Archer Farms potato chip packages. In fact, technology converters can apply a zipper or other consumer-friendly feature to flexible packaging in as little as six weeks, with minimal disruption to the manufacturing process and little-to-no capital investment.

Consumers like the convenience of resealable packages

There’s little question that providing consumer convenience enhances brand appeal. Independent market research indicates that consumers instantly recognize the ease-of-use that resealable packaging offers, and are more inclined to choose such a package, regardless of price.

Giants Sunflower Seeds is one store brand that has made the shift toward greater customer convenience with Zip-Pak Pour & Lok resealable pouches that feature pour spout functionality. To the delight of the consumer, the seeds remain securely protected inside the package between openings while product shelf life is significantly extended.

Distinctive packaging helps store brands

Store brand manufacturers are realizing increased consumer confidence as well as production efficiencies when they turn to packaging solutions that are distinct to the market. Zipbox, The Resealable Box, for example, combines rigid with flexible packaging in a surprisingly novel way. Not only is Zipbox a new design, this packaging innovation results in savings because there is no inner liner required (think sealed cereal boxes).

Dash’s Market, a four-store retail chain in Upstate New York, introduced Plantation All Natural Raw Cane Sugar in Zipbox cartons last year, resulting in clear sales growth. More than 85% of consumers surveyed said they loved the value and convenience of being able to reseal their cereal, sugar, cookies and crackers with the press-to-seal feature. Look for additional introductions of Zipbox in these consumer categories in the near future.

Flexible pouches are lighter-weight packages, which reduces trucking expenses

Moving from a rigid package to a flexible pouch creates significant cost and source reductions for store brands. Taking a product from glass to plastic saves on production, lowers the weight of its packaging, and reduces the number of trucks required to distribute the product. Solutions such as PresSureLok, an innovative collaboration between TechniPac and Zip-Pak, represents a convenient solution for frequent travelers, and extends the shelf life of shampoos, conditioners, detergents, juices and some condiments. The utility of PresSureLok will be impressive, with features to include a measured chamber technology that dispenses precisely one serving per use, and then automatically seals itself.

About Zip-Pak
Zip-Pak, a division of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW), is a global leader in resealable packaging innovations. Zip-Pak has headquarters in Manteno, Illinois and operates seven production facilities located around the globe.