The phrase ‘looks aren’t everything’ almost certainly does not apply to new products that you want to introduce to the market. After all, there is no doubt; the more attractive the candy boxes and wraps are, the more people will be interested in trying it out.
And although it might be a struggle to keep up with and stand out amongst the latest trends in candy packaging, this step is crucial to create an interesting product your customers will love. So you might be wondering, is it really that important for me to create innovative packaging?
The truth is, you do. The reasoning for this is simple – imagine yourself standing in an aisle in your local grocery store, staring at the hundreds of different candies, each with their own candy packaging.
That is what most of your customers will see when they encounter your product, which is why you need to make it stand out.
Candy Packaging trends
Before you can be innovative, you need to understand what the trends in packaging design are – with this as background knowledge, you can apply your twists to your product in order to truly make it your own.
Convenience Packaging
Put simply, these are the kind of candy boxes and supplies that are convenient to open, use, and discard of. The data, as claimed by other candy brands is consistent: your customers won’t just love candy packaging that is convenient – they may go out of the way and actually pay more for it.
You might have seen this elsewhere when it comes to packaging – the use of clear plastic bags for candy is an obvious choice, and it is clearly one that appeals to the customers as well. These plastic pouches are just so easy to eat from because of their ability to be resealed.
Sustainable Packaging
If you are the kind of person who worries about how many of the materials used in packaging are harming the environment, particularly plastic candy boxes and bags, you may want to start by investing in smaller changes in your business to reduce your impact on the environment.
Instead of getting rid of plastic altogether, you can use alternatives for candy boxes that reduce your emissions, such as pouches, or PET bottles. Both of these help reduce the potential effect on the environment, and are therefore considered to be sustainable and greener packaging.
This is a huge trend because many customers are asking for greener alternatives, and for a reduction in the use of harmful candy packaging that negatively impacts the environment.
Packaging that stands out
Go back to that image of your product in aisle at a shopping market. There are many thing you can do to make it stand out and not blend into the other candies.
For example, you could use an iridescent or holographic material to catch your customers’ eye, or go for the opposite route and incorporate minimalism into your design, using bold design and incorporating lines and flat imagery. Either way, the point is to appear different from the rest in your design style.
Portable Packaging
In the year 2018, it seems like we are one of the most mobilised generations of all time. With people constantly on the go, there is no doubt that everyone wants candy packaging that is small and easy to carry around in their pockets or bag.
Bulk Packaging
As much as you would like to carry around a solitary piece of candy, you will almost definitely want large, bulk candy boxes when you’re getting your groceries. For the people buying your product, the ability to re-seal and store is important, because they want the candy to last for a longer period of time.
What kind of Packaging works for candies?
Now that we’ve covered the basic trends of candy packaging, it is also important to know what the different kind of packaging products are. Generally, their purpose is to be attractive, easy to open, and if the candy requires it, have the potential to be re-sealable.
The kind of packaging depends on the product itself, but some of the common candy packaging supplies are:
- Cardboard candy boxes and inserts
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic bags and boxes
- Glass jars
- Waxed paper
- Twist and roll wrappers
Small and bite-sized candies can be packaged in plastic or cardboard boxes, such as the chocolate box packaging used by Cadbury, to prevent damage as they are moved. Generally, when it comes to packaging for chocolates, most companies opt for the use of foil along with packaging to maintain its shape and quality. In some cases, cardboard may also be used.
If worried about the kind of damages that can happen to your product while it is being shipped, you might consider the use of dividers and bubble-wrap inside your cardboard candy boxes to protect your product even further.
However, once your product is out of transit and ready to be shown to a customer in the nearest supermarket, there will rarely be any packaging seen. The products may be kept in clear plastic bags for candy, but this will simply be to maintain the quality as they are presented to the customer and give them a fresh outlook.
What do consumers look for in candy packaging?
It cannot be denied that consumers care deeply about packaging – but it is not just the visual aspect of things that impacts their decisions to buy products. In recent times, a rising concern amongst consumers is the impact of candy packaging on the environment.
A common mistake that some companies make is using unnecessarily large packaging. While it may create the impression of more product, the empty candy box can actually hurt you in two ways: firstly, the consumer will be disappointed with less product than they thought they were buying, and secondly, the environmental impact of the box will be significantly higher than it needed to be.
In the modern world, consumers want to be impacted by the packaging, but still want to know that it is green and sustainable. The modern consumer is not looking for over the top and extravagant packaging. Using alternatives for plastics, recycling, and using less where you can will generally garner a positive response from customers.
Because of this emerging interest, the market for candy packaging supplies is changing too – one example is a can derived from a coating of whey. This is used instead of plastic, is biodegradable, and may even, in some cases, extend shelf life, making it an interesting option for eco-friendly start-ups wanting to create a name for themselves.
Creating gift candy packaging
Candies can make for some great gifts, from something small like a box of your friend’s favourite candies to cheer them up, all the way to premium chocolate gifts for a birthday. When it comes to creating gift boxes for candy, the packaging’s role changes slightly.
Now instead of just protecting the candy and attracting the attention of the customer, the packaging has an additional role to look ‘gift-like’. This means that it should have a certain premium feel to it, and the consumer should feel like it is a suitable gift.
One way of reinforcing the idea of gifting is using ribbons and ‘wrapping’ paper, to create small gift boxes for candy. Another way to go could be to give it a more premium and luxurious look, which makes it look more valuable and suitable to be given as a gift. Remember, with the right kind of packaging, you can get consumers to pay even more for your candy.
In a survey done using consumers from Germany, it was discovered that around half (45%) of the people asked were looking for a decorative element, such as a ribbon, on the candy packaging. This was important because they did not have to package it themselves.
Different situation, different packaging
It is clear that how you package your product is affected by the way that it will be shown to the consumer, and how it will be used. Fresh items and confectionary may work well with clear plastic bags for candy, but with premium chocolates, you will need luxurious and eye-catching packaging.
However, transport is a big element of your candy packaging, and if it can’t store the product without damage, it cannot be effective. You should take into consideration the kind of conditions it will be subjected to, such as:
- Some products, like ice cream, may need freezing.
- Other products, like cupcakes will need to be kept cool and dry.
Tips for competition with your candy packaging
Proper pricing
The whole industry when it comes to packaging is driven by price. This doesn’t impact the larger giants in the way that it affects startups, because they can make up the money from other avenues.
For small-scale companies, this can cause huge losses. If there is news of a cheaper supplier, the customers will move towards that supplier, which is why your pricing needs to respond to the market, and fast.
Use all the tools at your disposal to keep in touch with your customers – if you feel a customer isn’t purchasing as much candy boxes wholesale, you need to be tipped off right away, and get to the bottom of what made them change their mind. If the cause is the price, as it often is, you will need to adjust your offer to them.
Stand out from the competition
While the products you offer may not be very different from your competitor’s, you can get an edge over them by using ways to stand out, and not just based on your price.
As mentioned before, a modern consumer cares about eco-friendly and green products, and worry about how the packaging industry is impacting the environment currently and how it will continue to do so in the future.
This can be used to your advantage. A survey by Nielsen stated that more than half (66%) of customers around the globe would be absolutely willing to pay more for products – provided they are created sustainably. You could use recyclable candy packaging, health-conscious or hypoallergenic packaging, and just overall reduce your carbon footprint.
Provided you deliver on your promises, your customers will willingly pay more to reduce yours, and subsequently, their carbon footprint. With just small changes like the ones mentioned above, you can make yourself stand out amongst the crowd and let consumers know you are creating a difference in the marketplace. This helps inspire loyalty and is better for everyone in the long run.
Encourage loyalty to your brand
Here’s one of the biggest and most important lessons about working in almost any industry – no matter what, if you have a loyal customer, you need to keep them happy and not allow competitors to take them away.
Money is important to run a company, no doubt, but loyal customers need to be offered more, or they’ll simply find someone else to handle their candy packaging.
There are certain things that you can offer to the customers that have stuck with your through thick and thin, such as adding a personal touch to your business dealings with them. Instead of just being a candy packaging supplies business, you need to make them feel like you are partners, by checking in, and offering help if needed.
Know your opportunities as they come
When it comes to business, no one is going to make amazing offers to you and offer them to you on a platter. However, every now and then, opportunities do knock on your door, and you need to know how to make the best of them.
You can grow your boxes and wraps business, for example, to a boxes, wraps, and tapes business. Chances are, the customer will just grab your tape instead of going elsewhere.
Product pairing is another tactic that can help you stand out and make opportunities in this industry. A bulk deal of two of your products that are closely related and make sense working with each other will appeal to anyone who both, and it will also help them save some money. This encourages sales towards both of your products.
Know your audience
With a deep and structured understanding of who exactly you are selling to, you can make better designs for boxes and wraps, based on what would appeal to them, what they need, and how to communicate with them in the best possible ways.
You can use customer relationship management software, called CRM software, to learn more about what your relationship with your customer is like. It can help you track their preferences, habits, and even detailed information on their potential budgets regarding candy boxes.
Software like this can help you be aware of any issues, and catch problems right in the beginning. This helps you eliminate problems and takes away the risk of a competitor swooping in and taking away some of your business.
Be proactive
Obviously, as part of your business practice, reactivity will be a part of things. If the overall sales for your candy packaging fall, you will need to react appropriately.
However, in the same way, you also need to be proactive in your approach. Being proactive means using all of the tools that are available at your disposal, and technology is one big tool that we are only just starting to use in the context of the packaging industry.
Using technology to predict and analyze information can help you make huge connections between what you are going to sell, and who you need to sell to, and how you end up selling it in the last step.
The industry is changing constantly – with an increased demand on candy packaging supplies, but still an increase in the number of suppliers, there is a need to create a secure place for yourself in the market.
There is a shift of thinking happening, from a focus on money, to a focus on customer relations, and technology is playing its part in making sure that this happens. By understanding and analyzing the customer’s needs, you can make better products and a better overall customer experience to win and retain customers like no one else in the industry.
Shipping candy – what does it entail?
When it comes to shipping, different kinds of products will need different kinds of candy packaging supplies. If your candy can easily get damaged in the wrong conditions, it may need to be shipped using candy shipping boxes or containers to keep them fresh and safe.
On the other hand, hard candy can probably last for a longer period of time, and won’t be as fragile, and so may need nothing more than usual for candy packaging.
Soft candy shipping:
According to the FDA, perishables, like chocolate which can melt in the heat, should always arrive cold. It even suggested a packaging method to maintain them – there needs to be a cold source (dry ice will do) in one large box, which needs to be insulated.
The candies are placed in another box, and then placed in the insulated box mentioned before. The container with the candy shipping boxes should then be sealed, and covered with a plastic bag (according to FDA regulations), and then sent to where it needs to be transported.
Shipping considerations
If your customer has a fragile product, they may be looking for candy packaging alternatives. Some of these can be overnight shopping or no allowing shipping that lasts more than a day. You can take orders through the week, but not on Saturday or Sunday to avoid damage to it.
Ending thoughts on candy packaging design
A good design when it comes to packaging, is about visuals, safety, and stage. This will protect your product from damage during transfer, and will keep it safe during the inevitable storage period of its life. With the right candy packaging, you customer can identify you immediately, and pick you out from a sea of competitors.
If you enjoyed reading this article about candy packaging, you should read these as well:
- Intelligently Made Food Packaging Ideas (100+ Examples)
- Awesome product packaging designs (44 ideas)
- Packaging Design: Tips, Ideas, and Inspiration
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