Wish to enhance your gross sales? Strive some new packaging! Granted, I’m within the packaging world so that you’d anticipate me to say that… however the suggestion truly is backed up by information. Furthermore, as a result of present pandemic, customers are influenced by packaging much more than earlier than.
A latest survey requested customers about their in-store and on-line buying behaviors. The outcomes highlighted methods manufacturers can talk the worth of their merchandise via modern packaging. The research’s authors decided product packaging has taken on an much more very important function in in the present day’s market as a result of pandemic.
Overwhelmingly, respondents acknowledged packaging and labels exert “extremely essential” influences on their choices to buy merchandise. A whopping 66 % mentioned they’re paying extra consideration to packaging and labels and have modified their buying choices based mostly on what they see.
Take into consideration that for a minute.
Operating out to a retailer or dispensary now carries inherent dangers that merely weren’t a consideration earlier than; for many individuals, on-line buying has develop into the most secure alternative. Correspondingly, e-commerce gross sales have elevated considerably. This implies it’s extra essential than ever for packaging to speak model attributes and advantages, as a result of there aren’t any individuals behind the counter to clarify the product’s options.
High quality packaging conveys belief in a model. When individuals see high quality on the skin (the bundle), they assume there might be high quality on the within (the product). Accordingly, packaging ought to draw the buyer in, interact them with the model, and delight them with additional touches, akin to particular finishes and textures like embossing, foils, and ornamental components, or a pleasant “really feel good” observe contained in the bundle. These little elaborations go a great distance in constructing love for a model.
Whereas the general public’s concern of contamination has been lessened by the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention’s reassurances that transmission from surfaces “is just not regarded as the principle approach the virus spreads,” a large proportion of the inhabitants will proceed to disinfect packages upon arrival at their dwelling. Accordingly, packaging designers must pay particular consideration to coatings, inks, and substrates to verify they received’t dissolve or smear with typical buyer cleansing protocols. Hygiene and well being are top-of-mind for a lot of customers, and this heightened concern won’t disappear all of the sudden because the pandemic wanes.
The development in packaging was shifting towards sustainable supplies previous to the COVID-19 pandemic. At present that development is declining, and the demand for established supplies together with plastic and glass is rising. To scale back the danger of contamination, a number of corporations have halted the usage of reusable supplies.
With many individuals out of labor and budgets tight, smaller sizes and extra reasonably priced choices inside some product classes are promoting much better than they did pre-pandemic. Plus, smaller sizes can present a larger sense of consolation. For instance, mini pre-rolls have develop into immensely well-liked as a result of individuals don’t need to “share a puff” with others proper now.
Reassuring your viewers you’re taking their issues significantly will proceed to be an essential and highly effective message. Properly-designed, considerate packaging can deal with your customers’ wants, scale back their anxieties, and provide options that can result in enhanced model loyalty and elevated gross sales.
When the pandemic ends—and it’ll finish—individuals will start flocking to shops as soon as extra, and they’re going to search for the manufacturers that carried them via these difficult instances. Corporations that create related and interesting packaging in the present day will reap the rewards effectively into the longer term.

Kary Radestock brings greater than 20 years of award-winning print and packaging experience to among the prime manufacturers on this planet. She launched Hippo Premium Packaging to be able to fill a necessity for skilled, compliant packaging; model growth; and graphic design to the rising hashish business.