External Influences Will Impact Product Packaging

Packaging News You Can Use
Tip Of The Week
Issue #1281 - August 23, 2007
Publisher: JoAnn Hines
JoAnn@packagingdiva.com
http://packaginguniversity.com/
http://packagingdiva.com/
http://packagingbootcamp.com/
http://packagingcoach.com/
http://doityourselfpackaging.com/

Coming Soon
http://packagingyourinvention.com


MESSAGE FROM THE PACKAGING DIVA:

So You Think Your Produce Packaging Is The Best? Let The Packaging Diva Decide.

Think you have a great produce packaging? Why not find out for sure from one of the top consumer products packaging experts. Due to her extensive produce packaging experience, JoAnn Hines the Packaging Diva was selected as one of the judges for the inaugural event the Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) new Impact Award: Excellence in Produce Packaging.

The award was created to recognize companies who best demonstrate “out-of-the-box-thinking” and packaging excellence. If you think this applies to your packaging be sure and enter this competition. Ms Hines will be on the lookout for the most innovative, exciting and new produce packaging that "connects" with the consumer.

A winner will be selected in each of the five packaging award categories: food safety/traceability, functionality/technology, marketing design/messaging, sustainability, and merchandising/transportability. All nominated packaged products must be currently commercially available. Awards will be presented October 13, 2007, during Fresh Summit’s Saturday Breakfast General Session Submission forms and instructions can be found at http://www.pma.com/packagingaward/.


FEATURE ARTICLE:

External Influences Will Impact Product Packaging by JoAnn Hines Packaging Diva

Consider this recent headline"Tesco pledges to cut packaging by a quarter...."Supermarket giant Tesco today pledged to reduce by a quarter the amount of packaging used in both branded and own-label products within the next three years.

Uh-Oh! Are you worried? Well, you should be. External influences can shape the face of packaging materials for now and in the future. Many times this will be totally outside of your control. Legislation could be enacted; there could be a product security scare or another incident like 911. All of which could dramatically shape the success --and failure-- of your product and its packaging.

Each January I write a packaging trends piece. It’s about where the packaging industry is going now and in the future and what external influences will drive that change. Trends are an important predictor of where the market is moving. Trends are more long lived than fads. Trends will influence product development for several years and sometimes they will become mainstream.

After reading the headline above, what’s your gut reaction? It better be that this is a serious trend. Not only is the reduction of packaging materials big news so is the use of environmentally friendly materials. What’s driving this trend? It is big box retailers like Wal-Mart and Tesco and more recently consumers.

Read this headline too
BENTONVILLE, Ark., – Today at the second annual Sustainable Packaging Exposition, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) released the initial results of its Packaging Scorecard. The scorecard, which was officially unveiled at the Clinton Global Initiative in September 2006 and launched on February 1, 2007, evaluates Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club suppliers on the sustainability of their packaging and offers suggestions for improvement. The results from the first month of operation show active use of the scorecard and a strong interest from product suppliers to make their packaging more sustainable. The scorecard implementation is Wal-Mart’s next step in moving toward achieving a five percent reduction in packaging by 2013.

Are you getting the message loud and clear? It is plain and simple: material reduction and more sustainable packaging materials. If you are not considering this as part of your long term packaging plan, then you might have problems down the road. “Green” is here to stay this time.

Besides the green movement what other factors can influence product packaging? What about product security and integrity? Given the rash of recent product recalls (for a variety of reasons) product security has become paramount. States could enact legislation or at the very least mandate that your product packaging has a tracking device. Now this is not the same as RFID; similar but not the same. The latest devices allow you to track products all the way back to the field it was grown in and it provides a track back for every step along the way.

Some retailers may mandate that RFID be included on all product packaging. Will you be prepared? RFID interestingly is a two edged sword. There are some watchdog groups the feel that the RFID mandate is being taken too far. That is tracking what you buy, how you use it and ultimately how you dispose of it.

Recently, a major outlet demanded that all their vendors not only source their products but their packaging not from China but from the US. Trends like this are hard to ignore. If you are outsourcing your product and your packaging or even just the packaging to another country, do you have plan B in place should this happen to you?

It’s your product and you will need to package it properly while being careful to keep all the external influences in mind. The warning signs are out there. Its up to you to look for them and anticipate the possible influence on your product.

Want to know more about waht impacts your product packaging? Be sure and read my weekly newsletter "Packaging News You Can Use." People hire me to advise them on this stuff to so why not contact me the Packaging Diva one of the top consumer product packaging experts via email at joann@packagingdiva.com or by phone at 1-678-594-6872. I can help you package your product to sell just like I have helped hundreds of happy clients.


PACKAGING GREEN WATCH:

Can Green Make Green?
By DAN MITCHELLThe technology-business blog GigaOm is launching a new blog to cover the burgeoning green technologies business.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/21/business/21online.html?ex=1188100800&en=db934dbfd85cbbea&ei=5070


Green People's Charlotte Vøhtz on eczema and organic shampoo
Newconsumer.com - London,London,UKPackaging can be a real headache - we have chosen PP and HDPE for the majority of our products. Lately we have changed to airless pumps, which have enabled ...
http://www.newconsumer.com/interviews/with/2929/

Women Are From Earth, Men Are From Terra Firma
Grist Magazine - Seattle,WA,USA... for their households, and women sign 80 percent of all personal checks, it's safe to say that women are leading a quiet revolution in green consumerism.http://www.grist.org/comments/soapbox/2007/07/31/gould_hosey/


Paper or Plastic? Packaging Goes Green

The advent of treeless paper and biodegradable plastics has further complicated the age-old supermarket question: "Paper or plastic?" Researchers making sustainable paper and plastic products discuss how U.S. efforts to switch to Earth-friendly packaging measure up with efforts in Europe.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11954271

THE DIVA'S PACKAGING PICKS OF THE WEEK:

Milk packaging goes retro in glass
Kansas.com - KS,USAAs outrageous as the idea may sound to younger people, many older consumers recall glass bottles fondly as providing colder, creamier, fresher-tasting milk. ...
http://www.kansas.com/news/story/146879.html

Smart Bluetooth-enabled pharma packagingA global packaging firm has hooked up with a company specialising in electronic disease management solutions to develop a new generation of electronically-enhanced pharmaceutical packaging.
http://us-pharmatechnologist.com/news/ng.asp?n=79175-meadwestvaco-confidant-international-packaging-bluetooth-compliance

So You Think Your Produce Packaging Is The Best? Let The Packaging Diva Decide.

Think you have a great produce packaging? Why not find out for sure from one of the top consumer products packaging experts. Due to her extensive produce packaging experience, JoAnn Hines the Packaging Diva was selected as one of the judges for the inaugural event the Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) new Impact Award: Excellence in Produce Packaging.

The award was created to recognize companies who best demonstrate “out-of-the-box-thinking” and packaging excellence. If you think this applies to your packaging be sure and enter this competition. Ms Hines will be on the lookout for the most innovative, exciting and new produce packaging that "connects" with the consumer.

A winner will be selected in each of the five packaging award categories: food safety/traceability, functionality/technology, marketing design/messaging, sustainability, and merchandising/transportability. All nominated packaged products must be currently commercially available. Awards will be presented October 13, 2007, during Fresh Summit’s Saturday Breakfast General Session Submission forms and instructions can be found at http://www.pma.com/packagingaward/.

Need packaging help? Why not contact me the Packaging Diva one of the top consumer product packaging experts via email at joann@packagingdiva.com or by phone at 1-678-594-6872. I can help you package your product to sell just like I have helped hundreds of happy clients.

Packaging That WORKS

Packaging News You Can Use

Tip Of The Week Issue #1280 - August 17, 2007

Publisher: JoAnn Hines

JoAnn@packagingdiva.com

http://packaginguniversity.com/

http://packagingdiva.com/

http://packagingbootcamp.com/

http://packagingcoach.com/

http://doityourselfpackaging.com/

Coming Soon
http://packagingyourinvention.com

MESSAGE FROM THE PACKAGING DIVA:
If you have an innovation new product package be sure and submit it to the
PMA Impact Award: Excellence in Produce Packaging.
( I'm going to be one of the packaging judges for this inaugural event)

In recognition of the critical importance packaging plays in increasing the sales of fresh fruits and vegetables, the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) announces its new PMA Impact Award: Excellence in Produce Packaging. An award will be granted in five categories: food safety/traceability, functionality/technology, marketing design/messaging, sustainability, and merchandising/transportability. Multiple submissions from one company will be accepted with the completion of a separate nomination form for each submission. All nominated packaged products must be currently commercially available. Awards will be presented October 13, 2007, during Fresh Summit’s Saturday Breakfast General Session that begins at 7:30 a.m. www.pma.com/freshsummit.


PACKAGING QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

From Bob: Are you concerned about the carbon footprint of product packaging? How are you tracking it and what types of measuring devices are you using?
I'll compile the answers in a future issue.

FEATURE ARTICLE:
Packaging That Works by JoAnn Hines Packaging Diva

What product have you purchased lately that you really loved the packaging?One that you have not complained that it’s over packaged but felt like the package really worked in conjunction with the product inside.

There have been lots of great new packaging innovations that have made our lives easier. There are also so many packaged products that we simply take for granted never understanding that the packaging make it possible. These are everyday items that we never consider how they got to us.

Would we have potato chips without a package? No way.What about eggs? Did you know that every year there are dozens of egg drop competitions around the country creating new and unique product packaging for eggs? Have you popped any popcorn in the microwave lately? It’s the packaging that makes microwave popcorn possible. How about toothpaste? Are you making your own or are you like the majority of people that buy it prepackaged?

The list of packaging innovations that influence our daily lives is astounding.I worked on a project a couple of years ago to list the most important packaging innovations in the last 50 years. There were so many choices that it was hard to select the top ten. Terms like microwaveable, juice box, shelf stable, home meal replacement are direct results of product packaging innovation.

Now we can’t all come up with packaging innovations that revolutionize a product category. But how can you integrate innovation concepts into YOUR product packaging?

Let me give you a few examples to start you thinking:

Domino Foods took sugar out of a paper bag and put it into a resalable plastic canister.

Sargento Cheese put a reclosable zipper on its shredded cheese packaging.

Heinz Catsup not only created an upside down dispenser but shaped the bottle to fit inside the refrigerator door.

Wishbone Salad Dressing developed a spritzable salad dressing instead of pourable.

Clorox bleach pen that allows a bleaching application to be applied directly to the stain.

All of these packaging concepts had the consumer in mind when they developed alternative packaging methods. In some cases, they fulfilled an unmet consumer need -- in other cases they made our lives easier. So what can your product packaging do? How will it answer a consumer desire, want or need? If the package is integral to your product then you better start thinking of how you will answer that question.

Here is a start to get those creative juices flowing.

• What can your package do that isn’t being done currently?

• Can you make it easier to use?

• Can you dispense the product in a different manner?

• Can you extend the life expectancy of a particular product?

• Can you offer it in different sizes or shapes than the current market?

• Can you use less packaging materials or environmentally responsible ones?

• Can you make it easier to store or handle?

• Can you make it easier to read or understand what is inside?

Even more revolutionary, can your product tell the consumer when the product is spoiled, bad or has been tampered with? Yes, that technology is out there. Look for it to be the coming wave of new package innovation.

Any package innovation that provides product security, integrity and ensures the product is uncontaminated is a winner. It is imperative that it fulfill a consumer need for product trust.All of these above are consumer wants, desires, issues or needs. How can you provide them the product packaging that works in satisfying these (in many cases) unmet needs?

Need packaging help? Why not contact me the Packaging Diva one of the top consumer product packaging experts via email at joann@packagingdiva.com or by phone at 1-678-594-6872. I can help you package your product to sell just like I have helped hundreds of happy clients.


PACKAGING GREEN WATCH:
The Incredible, Shrinking Packaging

WCCO - Minneapolis,MN,USA... and it's not because corporations are trying to rip people off. There's a major effort underway to cut down on over-sized and over-wrapped packaging. ...http://wcco.com/consumer/local_story_197233456.html

Recycled plastics used in packaging

Kansas City Star - MO,USA"Some people are already making new packaging out of recycled bottles," Brown said during a recent interview at aWhole Foods store, where he was marketing ...http://www.kansascity.com/438/story/232886.html


THE DIVA'S PACKAGING PICKS OF THE WEEK:

More On Bottled Water
Message in a Bottle

Fast Company - USAIts packaging and transport depend entirely on cheap fossil fuel. Yes, it's just a bottle of water--modest compared with the indulgence of driving a Hummer. ...
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/117/features-message-in-a-bottle.html

About Carbon Footprints
Help! I'm food confused

Times Online - UKThen there's all the packaging, the energy-hungry refrigeration, the distance between farm, slaughterhouse and supermarket depot. ...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/real_food/article2079701.ece

Will she, won't she?

Economist - UKNor might they ask if a "customer" or "shopper" would buy a putative new product. They are more likely to ask: "Would 'she' buy it?" Women have long ...
http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9619074

Have a glass of wine, literally

Napa Valley Register - Napa,CA,USABy Jack Heeger The latest in unusual wine packaging comes from Francis Ford Coppola, who has introduced his Rosso and Bianco wines in reusable plastic ...
http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2007/08/10/columnists/jack_heeger/doc46bbf381d9f34549090599.txt

Outpackaging The Competition Before They Outpackage You

Packaging News You Can Use
Tip Of The Week Issue
#1279 - August 3, 2007 Publisher: JoAnn Hines
JoAnn@packagingdiva.com
http://packaginguniversity.com/
http://packagingdiva.com/
http://packagingbootcamp.com/
http://packagingcoach.com/
http://doityourselfpackaging.com/
Coming Soon
Packaging Your Invention
http://packagingyourinvention.com

PACKAGING QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
I'm sure you are busy getting ready for back to school but please take the time to answer this important question.

Barry one of my clients posed this question: As you know China has been hit with some bad press lately; specifically, China manufacturing - Safety and Quality... mainly in the food industry. As American brands continue to manufacture, in our case, products in China, are you seeing statements being made on packaging to ensure a brands commitment to safety and quality or are brands staying away from such statements because of the attention to the negative? Statements like: "Designed and Tested in the US. Made in China" "Made in China, tested in America" What's your opinion and have you started implementing similar statements on your product packaging? I'll compile the answers in a future issue.

FEATURE ARTICLE:
Outpackaging The Competition Before They Outpackage You by JoAnn Hines Packaging Diva

Does a product’s packaging count or make a difference in the eyes of the consumer? Traditional advertising and marketing methods are under attack. They just aren't working anymore. Is your product packaging prepared to take their place? The important issue to recognize is that the package is in a position of power. It can capture a consumer at the first point of contact in a retail environment.

Consider this recent announcement:<>Preschoolers recognize the role packaging has to play. Through the power of the package, the children preferred the McDonald’s carrots!

Seriously, the packaging can make or break the sale in many cases. Just think about the last time you purchased something new. What compelled you to pick it up off the shelf? The package and the message it conveyed to you of course!

Ponder these important facts.
• The average consumer takes only 2.6 seconds to make up their minds whether to purchase your product or not. (So, will your product stand out from the competition?)
• 70 percent of all purchasing decisions are made at the store (This provides an unlimited opportunity to tell your product’s story -- provided you capture their attention).
• Women either influence or make the purchasing decision 85 percent of the time. (This means you have to sell to her first regardless of who she is shopping for.)

Packaging is your silent salesperson. It tells all there is to know about the product inside. So it better be on track with the right message to the right consumer.

The package has an immense role to play. Besides transporting, protecting and keeping your product secure consider what other things the package is doing simultaneously: educating about what's inside or how to use the product, helping the consumer to make an informed purchasing decision, making it convenient and easier for the customer to use, providing a sense product integrity and trust in your brand. Heard enough? Can your package meet these criteria?

Think about the people who shop and interact with your package. Today’s consumer is a moving target. You have market trends, demographics and market niches that are continually evolving at any point in time. It's your product packaging “connecting” to them with the right message. That core “message” is one of the most important attributes of your product packaging.

The package needs to "engage" the consumer by clearly stating value, benefits and reasons why a consumer should make the purchase. How will purchasing the product make someone's life easier? How easy or convenient is it to use? How does it mesh with the consumer’s lifestyle? And most importantly, what's in it for the consumer once they make the purchase?

Ask yourself these important questions that will help you build your package brand and set you apart from your competition.
• Who is your buyer?
• How old is your buyer?
• Where does your buyer shop?
• How often do they shop?
• What features are they looking for in your product packaging?
• What is the most important aspect of your product package that will appeal to the buyer?
• Will your package persuade people to buy it?
• Can your package be easily compromised, tampered with or counterfeited?
• Is environmentally friendly or green consumerism important to your product message?
• What "hot" emotional buttons will engage your consumer? Is it color, shape, design, user friendly, fashion statement, trendy, "in style", eco friendly or just plain cool!!

It could be any or all off the above but it needs to marry up with your targeted consumer’s expectations.

So before you packaging anything or rework your product packaging, ensure you understand your audience. Articulate your core message though creating product packaging that matches the consumer needs with their product expectations. Be prepared for your product packaging to fill the void left by your competition by understanding clearly who your consumer is and what they want from you and your product.

Outpackage them before they outpackage you.

Need packaging help? Why not contact me the Packaging Diva one of the top consumer product packaging experts via email at joann@packagingdiva.com or by phone at 1-678-594-6872. I can help you package your product to sell just like I have helped hundreds of happy clients.

PACKAGING GREEN WATCH:

Biopackaging push needed from government says reportA lack of government policies and slow industry takeup of biopackaging represents a missed branding opportunity for drinks manufacturers, according to a new report...
http://www.packwire.com/news/ng.asp?n=78592&m=2PKW731&c=civvshurcgmxuib

Environmentalists Against "Buying Green"The Ayn Rand Institute - Irvine,CA,USAIrvine, CA--With organic food in every grocery store and hybrid cars on every stretch of freeway, "green consumerism" has become commonplace. ...
http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr002=6jllq098x5.app1a&page=NewsArticle&id=15295&news_iv_ctrl=1221

Earth TalkRichmond.com - Richmond,VA,USAKnown within the packaging industry as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and usually bearing the "#6" recycling symbol, Styrofoam (which is actually the trademark ...
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://www.richmond.com/sci-tech/output.aspx%3FArticle_ID%3D4785426%26Vertical_ID%3D127%26tier%3D1%26position%3D2


THE DIVA'S PACKAGING PICKS OF THE WEEK:
Read this interesting article on packaging.

When Cookies Catch the Cooties - 2007-07-09exduco.net - Toscany,ItalyDURHAM, NC -- Of all the things companies worry about when selling food products, catching "cooties" is probably not high on the list. ...
http://www.exduco.net/news.php?id=1885

Bottled water labels don't tell the whole storyMSNBC - USABy Phil Lempert Bottled waters may soon be getting clearer. No, I'm not talking about the clarity, or even purity, of the waters that we Americans spent $15 ...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20055639/


Packaging Legislation Becomes More Stringent in ChinaBusiness Wire (press release) - San Francisco,CA,USAOur Packaging Industry in China market report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest ...
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070805005003&newsLang=en

Federal Health Panel Ignores Evidence of Risk From Food-Packaging ...AScribe (press release) - USAAmong the inexcusable shortcomings of the report endorsed by the Center is its failure to account for people most at risk from BPA. ...http://newswire.ascribe.org/cgi-bin/behold.pl?ascribeid=20070808.142538&time=14%2050%20PDT&year=2007&public=0

5 Things Every Business Needs To Know About Packaging.

Packaging News You Can Use
Tip Of The Week Issue #1279 - August 3, 2007
Publisher: JoAnn Hines JoAnn@packagingdiva.com
http://packaginguniversity.com/
http://packagingdiva.com/
http://packagingbootcamp.com/
http://packagingcoach.com/
http://doityourselfpackaging.com
© Packaging News You Can Use
By JoAnn Hines The Packaging Diva


PACKAGING QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Barry one of my clients posed this question: As you know China has been hit with some bad press lately; specifically, China manufacturing - Safety and Quality... mainly in the food industry.
As American brands continue to manufacture, in our case, products in China, are you seeing statements being made on packaging to ensure a brands commitment to safety and quality or are brands staying away from such statements because of the attention to the negative? Statements like: "Designed and Tested in the US. Made in China" "Made in China, tested in America"

What's your opinion and have you started implementing similar statements on your product packaging? I'll compile the answers in a future issue.


WHY JOIN THE PACKAGING DREAM TEAM:
Consider joining the Packaging Diva Dream Team.I need you and your products and services on my Dream Team.
Just this week I received an inquiry for women business owners as suppliers to a Fortune 500 cable television network.

We are a coalition of resources and experts in the packaging industry. AS part of the team you have access to the business leads and inquiries that come to Packaging University looking for help.

The team is all about networking, opportunity, WOM and referring business to one another. Joining is simple and affordable $100.

But before you decide take a moment to check out our members at http://packaginguniversity.com/dream_team.htm


FEATURE ARTICLE:
5 Things Every Business Needs To Know About Packaging by JoAnn Hines Packaging Diva

When you are getting started it's so hard to understand the integral role packaging has to play in marketing and selling your product. Put simply, it’s one of the most important product decisions you will have to make. There is a universe of packaging suppliers, materials and even regulations. Not to be overwhelmed, it is easy to navigate if you take it one step at a time. It is a process just like any other component in product development. They key is to know which packaging factors will influence your product’s success --or failure.

Here are 5 vital things you need to know as you start on your journey that packages your product to sell.
1. You can't have a product without a package. Just think about potato chips and eggs for example. How could you sell them unbroken and undamaged without a package? You have to be able to transport a product from point A to point B. The package is what makes it happen. Even if your product is not fragile, it can't get into the buyers hands in a shop worn condition. Consumers will NEVER buy it.

It’s interesting how packaging is evolving. In many cases, there would be no product without the package. Take something as simple as toothpaste. Whether it's in a tube or in a pump the package plays an integral role in making this product work. It is so ordinary that many people never stop to consider this fact: Where would toothpaste be without a package?

So ask yourself these questions: Is your product going to need a package that is part of the actual product? Or will the packaging be more of a protective device to convey the product?
Whatever the answer might be, it's time to start thinking about how the packaging is going to impact both shipping and merchandising.

2. The package could cost more than what is inside.
The rule of thumb is that the package should be 8-15% of the total cost on average. 10% of every dollar spent at retail is directly attributable to packaging. But that cost can vary dramatically with the product being packaged. The proportion of cost is lower with high ticket items and higher with commodity items as well as products in which the packaging is a bigger component than the product itself.

Let’s talk potato chips again. Packaging is a much higher cost in an item like this. You have a few chips and a bag but don't forget that besides the bag there is a master shipping carton that contains the bags of chips. This is one of the hidden costs that many people overlook.

So think about not only the primary package (the one that is going to be seen at retail) but any other packaging materials that you will require to transport, ship or convey your product to its ultimate destination unbroken, not damaged, not tampered with and arriving in pristine condition.

3. Your package has to sell the product not just protect it.
The average consumer spends just 2.6 seconds making a decision whether to pick up your product or not. So your packaging better be on target to the right audience with the right message. Just stroll through any retail that merchandises similar products to yours. Overwhelmed by the competition? You Bet! And that's just the beginning.

Who is going to buy your product? Do you know? Are you aware of what language, colors, design and packaging materials that appeals to your target demographic? This can make or break whether your product sells or not. Ask yourself who do I want to buy my product and what packaging attributes will appeal to them?

4. Most packaging materials suppliers like large quantity orders.
It’s hard to find a supplier for small quantities. The double edged sword is that you don’t have large orders when getting started. The number one question I am asked is how to find a vendor for small quantities? In many cases, this can be a challenge but it is not impossible.I know you have this exotic design concept on your head that's just going to WOW them at retail. The reality is that in many cases you will have to start with stock packaging items that you can customize. As you get more orders or are able to order in larger quantities you can upgrade your packaging designs.

Don’t be discouraged. The stock design world has come a long way with innovative designs and materials. With a little innovation and creativity, you can have that prestige look on a start up pocketbook.

5. Packaging trends and innovations can influence whether your product will ever get onto the stores shelf.
In January of every year, I write a trends piece about where I believe the packaging industry is going for the year. This covers not only the hottest packaging trends and innovations but outside influences that can drive the retail industry. Many influences can be outside of your control. The secret is in knowing what is going to be the "issue" of the future or what might be mandated as a "must have" in your product packaging.

There are external factors that can dramatically change what the consumer wants or demands in their product packaging. What do you know about RFID, product integrity and product security, bio resins and bio plastics, environmental sustainability, smart or intelligent packaging? If you are like most businesses the answer is not enough. But these packaging concerns are the wave of the future. Chances are one or more of these factors will be discussed when your try to get a buyer to commit to carrying your product.

Many requirements mandated but big box retailers such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot drive smaller retailers in the same direction.I'm not trying to scare or overwhelm you with decisions that you are not prepared to make. I am trying to point out a few of the facts you will need to be aware of and consider in product packaging. The time to address these issues is at the point when you prepare your product for market not at the end when many times it’s too late.

Make your product packaging among the first decisions you make with your product -- not your last. If you need more guidance, check out my packaging websites. There is lots of great information and "free" stuff.

Personal Website: http://packagingdiva.com/;
Corporate Website: http://packaginguniversity.com;
Packaging Help: http://packagingcoach.com/;
Packaging Bootcamp: http://packagingbootcamp.com;
Packaging Workbook: http://doityourselfpackaging.com


PACKAGING GREEN WATCH:
Take part in Women's Institute survey on supermarket packagingPackaging News is urging readers to contribute to a Women's Institute (WI) survey on supermarkets' food packaging, to bring balance to public debate.
http://www.printweek.com/RSS/Environment/News/669634/part-Womens-Institute-survey-supermarket-packaging/

Plastic bag ban wins popular voteBBC News - UKHowever the director of a packaging company in Cardiff, which distributes around two million plastic bags a month, said the ban would not lower carbon ...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6288798.stm

Bagged or boxed? Wine targets green shoppersReuters Canada - Toronto,Ontario,CanadaServing guests wine from a plastic pouch or box may no longer be a social faux pas, say some in the wine industry -- as consumers warm to packaging that is ...
http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=2007-07-17T232157Z_01_L04357662_RTRIDST_0_LIFESTYLE-RETAIL-WINE-COL.XML&archived=False

Plonk in a pouch satisfies thirst for green packagingBusiness Report - Johannesburg,South Africa... we're dead against, because it moves jobs. This is an interesting compromise between keeping packaging here and meeting green needs," Birch explained. ...
http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=&fArticleId=3948237

Public shuns packaging wasteEnvironmental Data Interactive - UKA survey carried out by cosmetics retailer Lush suggests that 98% of people think manufacturers need to reduce packaging while 44% said they would buy a ...
http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=13340&channel=0



THE DIVA'S PACAKGING PICKS OF THE WEEK:
Products whose packaging can cost three times as much as what's insideDaily Mail - UKPackaging for health and beauty products can cost three times as much to make as the contents, research shows. Lynx shower gel was singled out as an example ...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=468022&in_page_id=1770

In recognition of the critical importance packaging plays in increasing the sales of fresh fruits and vegetables, the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) announces its new PMA Impact Award: Excellence in Produce Packaging. An award will be granted in five categories: food safety/traceability, functionality/technology, marketing design/messaging, sustainability, and merchandising/transportability.
Multiple submissions from one company will be accepted with the completion of a separate nomination form for each submission. All nominated packaged products must be currently commercially available. Awards will be presented October 13, 2007, during Fresh Summit’s Saturday Breakfast General Session that begins at 7:30 a.m. www.pma.com/freshsummit.

Plus Pack Launches READY2COOK® Range in the UK.
Leading European packaging manufacturer Plus Pack has launched a new range of Ready2Cook® smoothwall aluminium containers in the UK for the first time to meet the needs of the growing fresh and convenience food market.