Packaging plays a crucial role in consumers’ interactions with their food—it is the first thing customers see and touch as they decide which items to put in their shopping cart. Of course, it’s the product underneath that matters most and what keeps shoppers coming back. But, beyond taste and quality, modern consumers are also looking for a product that meets their expectations for both sustainability and value. In our industry, food packaging must continue to protect the safety and integrity of products while adapting to help retailers and producers meet evolving consumer desires.
Reflecting consumer desires Packaging, like the food it protects and showcases, often reflects larger trends in consumer behavior and preference. For example, during the economic downturn in 2008, grocery retailers saw more customers headed to the store for pre-packaged or prepared deli selections rather than going out to dinner at restaurants. This thrifty swap meant that consumers were looking for high-quality, ready-to-eat or easy-to-prepare foods to take the place of restaurant meals. Packaging innovations both in-store and behind the deli counter had to evolve to meet these emerging consumer desires. Easy-to-open packaging for refrigerated foods and fresh solutions for deli counter items helped retailers and producers deliver the products and experiences consumers wanted.