Have you ever grabbed an article of clothing off the floor or out of the laundry basket to re-wear in a moment of desperation? No? Me either. Well one of us is probably lying because according to research by Proctor & Gamble, an estimated 75% of Americans do this 3-4 times a week! This is pretty interesting insight into a laundry market that P&G shares 60% of with top brands like Tide, Cheer and Gain. Americans are too busy, and perhaps too lazy, to keep up with their laundry chores. There may be help for those items which border unacceptable for public wear.

Packaging Digest featured a link to P&G’s Swash, a line of products targeted at clothing re-wearers. Surprisingly, the product has been on the market for a while (the research and testing was done back in 2008), but I can bet you can’t recall seeing it on the shelves. The line appears to be available exclusively online. Perhaps it hasn’t taken off as expected, but I can imagine these products having great success at colleges in universities across the country. Here’s what the product line includes:

• Smooth It Out: de-wrinkle spray
• Roll It Off: lint roller
• Get It Out: stain removal pen
• Steam It Out: dryer sheet
• Fresh It Up: anti-odor spray

Do you remember paint-by-number kits from your childhood? The new Recipe Inspirations from McCormick remind me of those. It brings the same mindset to cooking and helps my lackluster skills in the kitchen. The kit takes out all of the guess work by combining all of the necessary spices to season some popular recipes. Plus, the back of the packaging tells you the other necessary ingredients and the recipe. For meals like Shrimp & Pasta Primavera, Garlic Lime Fajitas, and Spanish Chicken Skillet to name a few, these products are sure to be picked up by novice chefs and bring some flavor to meal time.

The new McCormick Recipe Inspirations collection puts flavorful twists on traditional recipes that will impress everyone at your dinner table. Recipe Inspirations makes trying McCormick’s best recipes fun and easy. Each packet includes pre-measured McCormick spices and herbs and a collectible recipe card. With just a few of your own fresh ingredients, you’ve got inspiration to make a memorable meal any night of the week.

When I returned home from work that day both of our children were lethargic and unhappy. My husband, looking frazzled, explained that both of our children repeatedly expressed their need for milk throughout the day. The B.R.A.T. Diet’s order of no dairy escalated an already stressful situation since drinking a “milk – like” product is comforting to a child. He wondered why there weren't any non-dairy alternatives specifically made for sensitive tummies. This inspired us to create a product which not only provides “tummy” comfort for children, but also nutrition and re-hydration. We incorporated the tummy-settling principles of the B.R.A.T. Diet by using organic brown rice as the base along with banana puree and apple puree, and then added an electrolyte-balanced ratio of vitamins and minerals.

I noticed the company at Expo East this past fall (where it won the Most Innovative Product award, by the way), but I can’t say I took the plunge to try the product (I was pretty stuffed from all of the samples). However, assuming that you aren’t allergic to the few basic ingredients, this product appears to be very worthy of its award.

As one of the most iconic labels in consumer products, even captured in pop art by Warhol, Campbell’s soup had to have some serious research behind their label redesign. That research? “Neuromarketing:” The team clipped small video cameras to the testers at eye level and had them later watch tape of themselves shopping for soup. Special vests captured skin-moisture levels, heart rate, depth and pace of breathing, and posture. Sensors tracked eye movements and pupil width. In layman’s terms, they judged the body’s “emotional” response to packaging (I know my heart skips a beat while shopping for condensed soup).

So what were the conclusions? The bowl was updated, steam was added, the logo was lowered, soup varieties were color-coded, and the spoon was removed. Personally, I appreciate the design, especially the new font for the soup variety text, but I’m quite surprised by the deviation. Many bloggers have contributed their opinions, and I expect that it will make greater headlines as the products hit the shelves… so what do you think?

A great example of a successful private brand is Via Roma from NJ-based supermarket chain A&P. We featured the packaging design when it first created a lot of buzz back in July. The design for the product line is a far cry from the private labels I remember in the 1990’s (not to mention the stigma of mom sending you to school with your classroom party contribution of generic soda). In this article from Packaging World, A&P’s vice president, Doug Palmer discusses the growing market for private labels, and why it won’t be slowing down any time soon.

Articles we’ve recently written about private labeling:

• National and Private Label Brands Face Off
• The Battle Continues
• National Brands vs. Private Label Brands

The latest issue of Brand Packaging analyzed the effects of the recession. It’s a situation that has affected everyone, but rather than simply blaming our troubles on the current economic situation and giving up, we can look at how to learn, move on, and hopefully grow instead. The article compares coping with the recession to coping with loss, and how this influences consumer purchasing patterns:

Anger/Denial: At first consumers indulged in small luxuries that wouldn’t have major short-term consequences. Brands and even private labels that benefited were the ones that proved their value was worth the added cost. Others were ones with traditional/nostalgic value that consumers could take comfort in.

Bargaining/Depression: When consumers really started to feel the economic downturn, they shifted towards more thrifty habits. As a rudimentary example: even though people still dined out at restaurants, they chose less-expensive options (i.e. a pizza for the group rather than individual prime ribs. Trust me, I’ve seen this happen!).

Acceptance: At the end of the day, the major effect of the recession on consumer attitudes is a shift of the paradigm from a mindset of "what I want is what I need" to one of "what I need is what I want."

So here are Brand Packaging’s words of wisdom:

1. Don’t try to sell consumers what they don’t really need;
2. But, at the same time, don’t forget that behind every basic need lies an aspiration.
3. Use playfulness and familiarity to earn the right to engage with consumers.
4. Respect consumers by making clear, believable claims and making your portfolio easy to understand and navigate.
5. Give consumers a sense of control in the way they choose to interact with you.
6. Use packaging to give a fair picture of what is inside the pack, but don’t lose an opportunity to tell a compelling story.  

We came across one of the latest additions to Yankee Candle’s product line: Yankee Candle-opoly. It’s an obvious play on Monopoly, but we’re not sure exactly what the game is all about. Is French Vanilla the Park Place of Yankee Candle-opoly? Has any one else seen or heard more about this new product? Yankee’s description is below:

The ultimate fun game for fragrance lovers! Share all the enjoyment of a traditional property trading game while experiencing some delightfully fragrant twists along the way! Traditional play or one hour version, 2-6 players. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

I’m not a completely ignorant person, but I did recently admit to Stacy that I thought that pomegranates were a newly discovered fruit. It seemed like everywhere I turned I heard something about pomegranates—from news briefs about their health benefits to recipes for Oprah’s favorite pomegranate martinis (which are delicious, by the way). This is just one example of the whirlwind that can be created by the discovery and marketing of the benefits of everyday foods and food components. There is a nation-wide audience more aware than ever about what they are eating—hence the growing organic and natural market.

The latest "discovered" food: fiber. Dietary fiber was the most sought-after beneficial food component according to a poll by the International Food Information Council last year, which means that consumers are reading their nutrition facts. As we all know, adequate consumption of fiber is important to stay, er, regular, but more it has also been said to lower cholesterol, control and prevent diabetes, reduce the risk of some cancers, aid in weight management and promote a healthy digestive system. Unfortunately, with a recommendation of 19 to 38 grams of fiber a day, combined with a metaphorical comparison of eating fibrous foods to eating cardboard, many companies were not able to capitalize on the opportunity… until recently.

Many new products have emerged to address the "cardboard" issue, such as Fiber One and FRITO-LAY’s catchy SMARTFOOD campaign. Others are showing their feathers, so to speak, about their already existing high-fiber content, like Kashi’s GOLEAN Crunch! and Quaker oatmeal. And how do they do this? Right on the packaging, of course. In order to attract consumers to read your nutrition facts, they must first be enticed by what the front of your packaging has to say. So make sure your product’s features stand out, and if you’re doing this with a label, let us help!

When listening to a friend, relative, or even complete stranger in a time of need, have you ever said, "I know how to you feel"? Often times we may not have had the exact same experience, but the shared empathy can be comforting. The same concept is carried over to the business world when we attempt to get into the minds of our customers. And now technology is providing ways to truly experience life from another person’s perspective. The Georgia Tech Research Institute has developed gloves to simulate the struggle of those suffering from arthritis. It is estimated that approximately 46 million people in the United States suffer from some form of arthritis; in 2003–2005, 50% of adults 65 years or older reported an arthritis diagnosis (CDC). This has huge implications for a company’s R&D, especially for products marketed to the aging population of baby boomers. Ease of use should be a significant factor for such products and their packaging. Rumor has it that Kraft has already caught on quickly to this concept, using the arthritis gloves to test their "EZ Grip Lid" for a new instant coffee jar. It’s evidence of a deeper understanding of their target market. How well do you know yours?

We featured Coca-Cola’s PlantBottle

"Our PlantBottle will be in the spotlight for the Olympic Games, introducing this innovative packaging to a global audience," says Nikos Koumettis, president Coca-Cola Canada. "The Coca-Cola Company has become the first to market with a recyclable PET plastic bottle made partially from plants, and we are excited that Canada is part of this major step in our journey towards sustainable packaging."

Flowers, chocolates, teddy bears… shopping for women on Valentine’s Day tends to be pretty traditional and laid out by retailers to rescue lost boyfriends and husbands. This isn’t really the case for gift-searching girlfriends. But if you happen to be in Italy for Valentine’s Day this year, you’re in luck. Heineken Italy has launched the first ever beer-flavored lip gloss. The witty ad captures the enthusiastic response men will have for lips that taste like their favorite beverage. For EUR 4.90, you can get this treat for you and your special Valentine!

Although it looks like it belongs in an airplane restroom, the new technology for bathroom essentials from W+W is quite impressive. The toilet utilizes the waste water from the sink to create a combination unit that has less of an environmental impact than a traditional sink and toilet. It also appears to be a great space saver for smaller bathrooms typical in Europe and metro areas. The W+W was developed by a company in Spain and retails for EUR 2,731.

Launched last fall, W+W is a single, L-shaped unit in which the sink and toilet are not only attached but also integrated internally. Specifically, wastewater from the sink is used to fill the toilet's cistern, thus saving as much as 25 percent of the water that would normally be used. An automatic cleaning system prevents bad odors and bacteria, while a specialized tap controls the water's temperature and flow for maximum energy savings, Plumbing Park reported.

I’m not sure what’s in the air, but it seems to be headline-making new packaging week! Big name brands are getting serious attention for their makeovers. In the iconic board game category, Monopoly has opted for a modern anniversary edition:

Hasbro has unveiled the design of the new 75th anniversary edition of their classic board game, Monopoly, set to hit stores in fall of 2010. "Monopoly: Revolution Edition" is slick and round instead of dull and square, with debit cards and an ATM instead of paper money and a banker, clear plastic representations of the classic tokens (bye-bye, little boot!), and clips of popular songs (like Rihanna’s "Umbrella," Daniel Powter’s "Bad Day," and Beyonce's "Crazy in Love") that play after certain actions.

I’m a huge fan of Monopoly, as well as The Game of Life, which is also available in the new, electronic version. On the plus side, the games capture more realistic budgeting scenarios and a digitalized economy. The musical addition to Monopoly, not currently a feature for The Game of Life, is also awesome. But there’s something about the classic game that has to be missed by old-school fans. And the banker has no way of accidentally slipping a few $20s into their own account (not that I have ever done anything like that).

It’s not often that you see single-serve ketchup packets redesigned; in fact, the often frustrating packaging has been around for 42 years! The new design allows consumers to utilize either the squeeze or dip feature, and it holds three times more product than its ancient predecessor! This means we won’t have to hide as many packets from our colleagues in our secret stash!

We’re not the only ones complaining about the packaging. After a packet explosion incident while on a road trip, 22-year-old Matt Kurtz started an anti-ketchup packet group on Facebook aptly named "Prop 57". For two years he has drawn in a few hundred members. Dave Ciesinski, vice-president of Heinz Ketchup concedes, "We created the packet in 1968. Consumer complaints started around 1969."

A recent press release from Heinz explains more about their redesign:

A true packaging breakthrough, the Heinz Dip & Squeeze dual-function package gives ketchup lovers two ways to enjoy Heinz Ketchup: either peel back the lid for easy dipping, or tear off the tip to squeeze onto favorite foods. The new package holds three times as much Heinz Ketchup as the traditional packet.1

Invented in a garage by Marc Chavannes and Al Fielding in 1957, Sealed Air Corp began production of bubble wrap in 1960 and now makes enough Bubble Wrap to stretch from the Earth to the Moon and back. The company brings in annual revenues of over $4 billion. Obviously bubble wrap is important when it comes to its innovative influence on packaging. With all of those impressive statistics said, I’m just appreciative of all the years spent therapeutically popping leftover bubble wrap!

Private labels have been giving national brands a run for their money, and recent trends have shown that beyond price-consciousness, consumers also increasingly associate private labels with quality. So are they going to drive out some of the beloved and established national brands? Brand Packaging puts the two head-to-head in the categories that drive their sales: packaging design, company history, packaging structure, and philanthropy.

Who came out on top? Take a look at the full article here!

Ironically as I posted the battle of the brands blog, I came across this article link on packagingdesign.com. The private label vs. national brand debate is clearly a hot topic. While our last post gives an objective analysis of the packaging aspect, here we see how passionately the proponents for each side feel, and for good reason. National brands realize what’s at stake as store brands have become major competitors.

Then you find out that the bed was warmed up by another human being dressed head-to-toe (and fingers) in a white onesie. Now you have to fall to one side of the fence on this new service option that is actually in place at Holiday Inn locations in England. You may be considerably care-free and comforted by the thought of climbing into that cozy bed. Or, like me, you’re already trying to forget about the fact that others have used that same bed and all of the horror stories you’ve seen on Dateline about hotel rooms, and the thought of some stranger dressed like a baby in your bed five minutes ago gives you the creeps. Feel free to weigh in on this one!

If you haven’t heard of Method products, you may want to become familiar quickly. The company offers a range of home and personal care products focused on their concern for sustainability. The products recently introduced to the Method Laundry line continue this tradition, with packaging mirroring the product’s innovation and functionality. We highlighted their squeaky green, hair and body wash for baby over the summer for similar reasons.
 
The extremely concentrated detergent formula allows for a more compact container. And if you’ve ever been irritated by the mess and residue from measuring caps, Method’s new design eliminates all of the fuss. Method’s detergent is biodegradable, nontoxic and made of 95% natural and renewable ingredients. This eco-friendly mindset is also evident in the packaging. Made of 50% recycled products and completely recyclable, the container is also smaller than traditional detergent bottles, meaning a conservation of both plastic and energy.
 
No measuring. No mess. A smaller impact on our Earth. Seems like an all-encompassing idea to me! What do you think?

Dion is proud to be recognized for our abundance of insight across various industries. Label & Narrow Web recently looked to Dion for our professional outlook on labeling for household products:
 
As in other markets, the battle between discount brands and generics is ongoing, and a quality label is a difference maker. Stacy Santos, marketing manager for Dion Label Printing, Westfield, MA, USA, sees some developing trends resulting from the competitive nature of the market. "We are noticing that the more competitive the household products market gets, the more involved are its labels. Companies are using complex graphics or constructions, such as colorful multi-panels, for their labels," Santos says. She also notes that some household products companies are now packaging their products with shrink films, a segment Dion Label Printing has recently entered into.

For the entire article, click here.

Marketers are constantly scrambling for design solutions that stand out, communicate credibility, convey value, resonate with consumers, compel purchase and promote loyalty. Finding these solutions, however, is not easy.

One way to know what's happening broadly with consumer brands and packaging is to attend industry-specific events and shows. In the United States, some of the most important consumer products shows include the Food Marketing Institute Show (FMI), Natural Products Expo, Fancy Food Show, Boston Seafood Show, Dairy-Deli-Bake, All Candy Expo, Toy Fair, International Home + Housewares Show, National Hardware Show, Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, New York International Gift Fair, International Beauty Show (IBS) and Cosmoprof. While there are countless others, attending these will give you a good idea of what's going on in U.S. retail marketing and packaging design.

For the complete article, click here.

3. Metallic labels. Using metallic in your label is a way to dress it up without needing to get too fancy with your entire packaging. Metallic can be incorporated into your design in a few different ways. Metallic film or paper coated stock will allow for your entire label background to be metallic. You can enhance or cover up the intensity of the metallic label by the type of ink you use in your artwork. For labels that only need a hint of metallic here and there in your artwork, you may use a regular material with metallic ink. This ink is laid down using plates that can be engraved into the pattern you'd like. For example, if you have a midnight sky in your design, your can use a plate engraved with stars to add gold stars to your design.
 
4. Invisible labels. By using a clear label on your glass or plastic bottle, you can utilize the product contents in your design as well as display your product. This technique gives the illusion of invisible labels. This concept works into your package design as well as provides the customer with pertinent product information. For customers that wish to get a silk screen effect without the high cost, clear labels are the way to go.

5. Add texture to your labels! 
Not all labels are smooth, glossy, and one-dimensional. Texture appeals not only to a customer's eyes, but also allows them to feel the difference when picking up your product compared to your competitor's. While embossing tools can raise parts of your design in the area(s) you choose, it can be a costly option as custom tools will need to be purchased. The most cost effective way to add texture to your entire label is by using a textured stock.
 
Click here to request samples of one or more of these design techniques! Please specify which technique(s) you are most interested in.

The latest issue of Beauty Packaging Magazine features what it takes to be eye-catching in the beauty industry, mostly because getting a glance is all the time you’ll get. So you must make a good impression in an instant. The article covers various techniques to create packaging with stand-out elements. The big three here are color, sophistication and texture. Companies in the beauty industry are branching out from the black and white color schemes to a broader palate, as well as utilizing metallics on either the product label or the packaging itself. Metallic and jewel-toned packaging materials give beauty products a touch of elegance, as seen with Dior’s J’adore perfume. And if you can get the consumer to actually pick up your product, unique packaging texture will also make your product stand out from the competition (a feature that isn’t just limited to the beauty industry).

For more on techniques to achieve these various design features, read the full article here!

Typically speaking the only significance barcodes have for consumers is product identification and the chorus of beeping sounds at checkout counters. They’ve become a hardly-noticed, but occasionally mimicked symbol in society (you can even click here to turn yourself into a barcode, or here to learn how UPC's work). But with the introduction of programs such as scanning and bagging your own groceries as you shop, consumers may be more apt to look at barcodes . And one company in Japan is showing how to have a little bit of fun with packaging barcodes. We’ve seen the trend popping up on a few products in foreign markets, but has anyone found examples here in the U.S.?

In 2009, we witnessed a big flop in Tropicana’s rebranding effort. Experts are now weighing in on Coca-Cola’s rebranding of their orange juice brand, Minute Maid:

The visual brand assets that distinguished Tropicana were traded for a generic, minimalistic, trendy package design. In barely over a month, Tropicana’s refreshed packaging was scrapped due to consumer discontent and lost sales; the traditional packaging was quickly reinstated.

Do you think this will be a successful rebranding? Or should Minute Maid have simply sat back to collect on Tropicana’s mistakes?