The Perils of Packaging Junk Food by JoAnn Hines Packaging Diva
We all know that headlines can put a scare into manufactures and processors, but lately it seems the food industry is being bombarded with positioning and marketing statements about the role of food in healthy eating and lifestyles. I, in fact, spoke about the growth and potential of this market at the Health and Beauty America (HBA) in my presentation “Boomers Are a Booming Business.” Believe it or not, healthy lifestyles are an important issue to Boomers.
Just look at other food examples of a media blitz, such as the recent spinach crisis, to see how one out of control incident dramatically impacts your business. Literally over night people stopped eating spinach and restaurants changed their menus and replaced it with things like Arugula (by the way it isn’t bad). OK, but what about the poor spinach grower? Be sure and read my article “Produce Packaging Crisis” available at http://packaginguniversity.com/articles.htm.
On another front what’s new with Wal-Mart in the packaging world? The media loves/hates Wal-Mart. Every week there is a new position statement that gets mixed reviews: both pro and con. The results resonate within the business community. Wal-Mart is what I call a “retail driver” and should be considered an “early indicator.” It can force other businesses and industries to follow suit in whatever they determine is the “hot” industry button of the week. Be sure and read more in the Diva’s Picks Of The Week about Wal-Mart.
Now companies like Disney are getting into the fray with a line in the sand on “Junk Food.” The have already started distancing themselves with purveyors like McDonalds and this week The Walt Disney Company introduced new healthy food guidelines which will soon apply to all licensed Disney products. This means anything you provide that has the Disney brand is subject to these new guideline. So look out for mandates, restrictions and instructions on any thing that has to do with product packaging if you want to do business with them.
You might remember that I wrote about this a while back, “The Perils of Packaging Making You Fat. Ha, ha. I may be a prophet because companies like Disney and Wal-Mart recognize the sign in the market and they can certainly put a strain on your piggy bank if you are one of their vendors
So where does this leave you? Waiting for the ax to fall? Or are you staying on top of industry trends and drivers that impact what and how we buy? I hope you read my newsletter each week. I watch what will drive the consumer of the future and how it will impact the packaging community. My forecasts on packaging trends usually turn mainstream about six months down the road.
So why do you need the Packaging Diva on your team? I write about this stuff before it becomes a major issue. I keep apprised of what’s happening. Most people are too busy doing their jobs to stay informed in timely fashion. As a result, you can look to me for the latest industry trends, technologies and issues.
Speaking of trends….If you plan on selling ANYTHING you better have the right packaging. You have invested in your product, don’t stop short of the finish line and leave out the most important component: the PACKAGE. Spend half a day with me, the #1 consumer products expert and learn the nuts and bolts of product packaging and the necessary fundamentals of packaging your product to sell.
Before you ask why you need this workshop think about this: without a package you can’t have sell a product. You want to sell your product - RIGHT?
Get a refresher course on packaging basics, meet new clients, or simply have your product packaging critiqued by me JoAnn Hines, the Packaging Diva. Attend the accelerated learning course Packaging Boot Camp is filled with years of insights and expertise crammed into a four hour intensive workshop. Find out more here http://www.packagingbootcamp.com/
