Picking your package: 5 packaging trends to watch

1. Sustainable packaging

Millennials and Generation Z consumers (those aged 14 to 23) are more environmentally concerned than any generations that preceded them, and they’ve made sustainability a hot commodity. They’re looking for products that are made, sourced and packaged in ways that are eco-friendly or don’t create a lot of waste along the way.

A good example is the single-use shaving cream mini packages from The Pacific Shaving Company. These innovative little packs dissolve in water, eliminating any waste altogether. They combine convenience (always a win!) with a green, sustainable design that resonates with their customers.

The Pacific Shaving Company combines convenience with a green, sustainable design.

2. Flexible packaging

Primarily used for food, beverage and pharmaceutical products, flexible packaging is growing around three percent every year, and it’s expected to hit a total market value of over $200 billion come 2020.

Easy to open, light to ship and consuming less materials to produce, flexible packaging is both more affordable and more environmentally friendly. According to studies, it’s also been proven to extend shelf-life, too—a big bonus for food manufacturers.

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Extend your product’s shelf life with airtight and lightweight flexible packaging. Photo: Soak Society

3. High-tech packaging

As technology advances, so do the possibilities of packaging—particularly with food. “Smart” packages can now tell you how fresh a food is through changing color indicators over time, or they can even pair up with apps that help you track calories, serving sizes or dosages.

Some smart packaging can also include QR codes or Near Field Communication, which drive customers to websites or online experiences that improve brand loyalty and boost engagement.

Does your packaging speak to you? Photo: Johnnie Walker

4. Transparent packaging

Transparent packaging is another popular type of packaging for food and lifestyle products. Clear packaging allows increased consumer awareness—giving them a glimpse into what they’re eating and what ingredients their food is comprised of. Data shows that 60 percent of consumers from 18 to 34 think it’s important to see the inside of a food package, and as Generation Z is one of the most health-concerned, “foodie” generations our world has ever seen, these stats are only likely to grow in the coming years.

Transparent packaging also helps to build consumer trust—something hugely important with today’s buyers. The need for transparency has actually played a big role in the success of social media over the past decade, particularly with businesses and brands. Consumers want to know intimately who they’re doing business with, what they’re spending their dollars on and, of course, what they’re putting in their bodies. Social media (and transparent packaging) offers just that.

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For some, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Photo: Sous Chef

5. Statement packaging

Many businesses are using their packaging to make a statement, deliver a message or simply stand out. They’re choosing unique designs, colours or phrases to target specific audiences and resonate with their specific needs and lifestyles.

According to data, 36 percent of consumers are more likely to buy a product if it has a one-of-a-kind design. Among under-25 buyers, that share jumps to a whopping 53 percent. The moral of the story? Unique packaging = unique success.

The team at Boxed Water know how to make a statement. Photo: Boxed Water