Enhance Your Product’s Shelf Appeal with These Four Creative Packaging Solutions
It’s no secret that packaging is pivotal to the success of your product. In fact, 81% of consumers say they’ll try a new product because of the packaging, and 63% choose to purchase again because of the package’s design. With such high stakes, it’s no surprise that picking the right packaging can be a little overwhelming. That’s why we’ve compiled four ideas – backed by consumer data – that’ll help your packaging attract new customers and build strong brand loyalty.
1. Transparent Windows or Cut-Outs
Who doesn’t want to be able to see what they’re purchasing before they buy it? Cut-out windows or transparent windows give shoppers a glimpse inside, boosting trust in the product and tempting them to buy. For one apparel client, we created a cut-out window that showed off the real color of the socks inside; with this, buyers know the color shown in the photo is true to life, and feel confident making the purchase.
Although a preview can work for a variety of industries, adding a window is particularly powerful for food products. One study found that offering candy in a clear jar instead of an opaque one resulted in significantly higher consumption, while another found that consumers believed products were more trustworthy when in transparent packaging, subsequently increasing purchasing intent. Clear windows can be added to most types of packaging, including the ever-popular stand-up pouch, allowing them to work for a wide range of products.
2. Inserts or Inside-the-Box Messaging
It’s time to think inside the box. Adding inserts to your package or printing a message on the inside of the container can keep your buyer engaged with the brand for longer. Inserts left inside can be personalized, including the shopper’s name, a custom offer, or a handwritten note, tapping into the 80% of frequent shoppers who expect an individualized experience with a retailer.
Still further, the additional room to print makes for an ideal space for informational or instructional material. For example, the American Egg Board found that 79% of egg consumers feel that inner-lid messaging can be appealing and suggest that brands use this as a space to offer simple instructions for cooking.
3. Recycled or Sustainable Materials
As customers increasingly prefer brands with strong values, choosing recycled or sustainable materials for your packaging can be a win-win for the environment and for your business. 67% of shoppers say that the material used influences their purchasing decision, and 71% say they’re more likely to buy products packaged in paper or cardboard.
Likewise, offering instructions for recycling the package may also help shoppers feel confident in their purchasing decision, particularly when the package contains plastics. Have more information about how you choose your packaging? Embed it in the packaging itself with our next suggestion…
4. QR Codes
Do you ever wish you could speak directly to the consumer at the point-of-sale? With QR codes, you can. Adding these scannable codes to your packaging allows you to share any message you’d like with the shopper, directing them to landing pages, app downloads, social media, and so much more. Yogurt company Yeo Valley, for example, uses QR codes to offer the consumer more information about its sustainability campaign “Put Nature First.”
In packaging and beyond, QR codes are enjoying a resurgence in popularity. From 2018-2019, interactions with the codes increased by 26%. Now, the pandemic has made QR codes a go-to option for contactless check-in at restaurants, events, and other public spaces, and the majority of UK and US consumers report scanning a QR code at least once per week. As the codes become more commonplace, and consumers become more familiar with them, it just makes sense to tap into their potential by adding them to packaging.
Not sure where to get started? GCB Solutions can help. With over 30 years of experience in printing, coding, and packaging, we're here to help you find the best choice for your product. To learn more about our custom packaging solutions, contact us today at (904) 263-2804 or schedule a free consultation.