Over the past few years, there has been a trend veering consumers away from single-use plastics and packaging. Further, the local and organic food suppliers are seeing an upswing in consumer drive towards natural ingredients.
With the market becoming saturated in natural food competition, how can brands use current trends to speak to consumers from the grocery store shelves? Below is a quick reference list of 3 top trends in natural food retail packaging:
When envisioning natural food packaging, it is easy to envision sustainability. A recent article by Packaging Insights cites that, more natural, renewable and recyclable paper-based formats with reduced carbon footprint appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. In addition to appealing to environmentally conscious consumers, using paper packaging paper aids to convey a more “natural looking” product. A 2018 Ispos survey revealed that approximately 75% of Americans were more to buy a product if it were packaged in paper or cardboard because they are better for the environment. Therefore, companies are necessarily becoming more creative in the use of not only paper packaging, but also incorporating other biodegradable materials such as corn, and bamboo.
Food packaging not only serves to further your brand image, it also serves a practical function: to protect your food product for safety of consumption. While the paper, biodegradable and cardboard packaging trend has certainly taken off, there is still a practical need to convey that the food you are about to purchase is safe to eat. Making a piece of your packaging transparent will allow consumers to view the contents of the package. By using recycled plastic for a transparent window, and having clear recycling instructions visible on the packaging, consumers are able to associate your product with sustainability, while ensuring that the product contained is safe for consumption.
It’s no secret that minimalism has emerged as one of the biggest trends in packaging design. While large swaths of blank space are typically associated with minimalism, the strategic use of colour has begun to change the way that consumers view this design philosophy. Using clear and clean labeling on a single colour, pattern, or colour block, can effectively work to make your product jump off the shelf. Further, brands have begun to steer away from solely using brand-specific colours. Having a strong brand identity does not have to restrict your use of colour. Often, colour can be used to convey flavour or feeling. The strategic use of colour, minimal design, and a strong brand identity can further your self-appeal.
Now, keeping in mind these emerging natural food packaging trends, which one do you think you will employ to spark consumer joy? Drop us a line and let us know!
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