Memorable unboxing experience – from nice to have to must have

Food packaging was created with the aim of keeping the product as long as possible and in the best conditions. This is to preserve its quality and properties and the health of consumers. Food packaging does not have a purely functional purpose but is fully part of a company's communication strategy. How? Let's see together how to conquer end customers through the right food packaging. How to choose the most suitable packaging for your business? The starting point is to make sure that the entire food packaging production process takes place in full compliance with the regulations in force (regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004) which have the aim of guaranteeing maximum safety and traceability of the product at Community level. We can thus summarize the 3 fundamental principles: Do not endanger human health: materials must not release components into food. The materials must not be subject to modification or decomposition, so as not to alter the smell and taste of the foods contained. Presence of documentation to demonstrate compliance of regulations such as traceability. Once we have ascertained that everything falls within the rules, we can identify the fundamental characteristics for a winning packaging. What do you want to communicate with your food packaging? It is not a simple food packaging tool, as packaging is fully part of the company's marketing strategy. The first step is therefore to understand what and how to communicate the concept of your business to end customers, both before and after the purchase phase. Who is your target? The value that makes the difference: knowing the target. Who are your company's customers? Who is food packaging intended for? Here are some examples. Age: are they children, millennials or adults? Habits: do they go to your shop for lunch or carry it to the office? In both cases it is important to create an easy-to-use and recycled packaging. Choice of materials The choice of material, as well as the colors and shapes must be carefully selected so that the packaging can best describe your business. The cardinal principles of the choice must always be oriented between aesthetics and functionality. Both characteristics are fundamental to fully satisfy the needs and experience of the consumer. What are the characteristics of a winning food packaging? Being in step with the times and knowing the trends of the moment allows you to always be on the crest of the wave. What are the characteristics that make packaging attractive and functional? Ease to use: opening, usability and disposal of the package must be intuitive and easy to use. Customization: a package must capture the attention of the target and at the same time convey a sense of safety and reliability of the product. Transparency and origin: it is essential to report on the packaging everything that has to do with the origin of the food: nutritional values, packaging details and organoleptic characteristics. Sustainability: green packaging is nowadays increasingly widespread and requested by companies in the food sector and beyond. Preferring the most environmentally friendly and therefore less polluting materials such as corrugated cardboard, in addition to representing an ethical choice, will soon become a real regulation, especially in the case of disposable objects intended for the consumption of food outside your home. Personalized food packaging: professional advice If you need advice on the design and distribution of your food packaging, Cart-One has an R&D Office thanks to which it proposes innovative and eco-sustainable packaging design solutions and real proposals for product improvement and cost reduction. For more information, do not hesitate to contact our customer service: fill out the contact form and send your request. You will receive an answer as soon as possible.

Sustainability, limitation of waste and reduction of packaging: these concepts are also assimilated by companies that seek to achieve greater effectiveness of production processes for the protection of the environment. In recent years, the policy has moved in this direction, as evidenced by the EU Directive 2018/852 issued by the European Parliament in amendment of the previous directive 94/62 / EC. In fact, the modification of the standard was strongly desired to produce tangible effects on two fronts: firstly, to considerably reduce the production of waste and packaging; secondly, to promote reuse and recycling by overcoming the concept of "final disposal" and by encouraging actions aimed at creating a circular economy. Green packaging, therefore, is not a trend but a necessity that goes hand in hand with respect for the environment. In addition, it must be said that in recent years consumers are changing their habits and increasingly choosing products made by companies that adopt eco-friendly policies. What is meant by green packaging? An ecological packaging is first of all, a packaging produced, in part or totally, with recyclable raw materials. Its natural life cycle could follow different paths such as further recycling at the end of use, reuse or transformation. In particular, the concept of "transformation" represents a further source of inspiration for those who work in the sector of packaging creation, because thanks to it the packaging finds new life by becoming a design object or transforming itself into a utility object to be placed at home or in the office; or, in the most imaginative recovery cases, it can turn into a game for the kids. Furthermore, having a green packaging does not only mean having an ecological product that, once its function is finished, can be recycled or is destined to dissolve without polluting. In fact, this also refers to packaging made in a sustainable way. The production process, therefore, must be centered on the idea of limiting production waste as much as possible, while using renewable energy sources for the operation of instruments and machinery. In this sense, CART-ONE promotes, within the framework of a circular economy, a model based on a supply chain characterized as follows: production - use of the product - regeneration of the raw material - recovery. Through such a structured procedure, production waste also becomes an important resource, which constitutes a new reel for the production of corrugated cardboard boxes. Eco-design: the basis of a green packaging Virtuous production processes, a supply chain that recovers raw materials and recycles them and Eco-design are the basis of green packaging. In particular, Eco-design means a packaging design that pays the utmost attention to saving raw materials. This way of approaching production allows not only to limit waste, but also brings benefits to the environment by reducing the impact on the consumption of energy sources and limiting the pollution of air and soil. In fact, no ecological policy’s company can have a successful outcome if we do not start from a project aimed at increasing the sustainability of the product. In this sense, in the production of corrugated cardboard packaging it is important to create boxes with a functional design and at the same time processed in such a way as to consume only the sufficient raw material, obtaining a high quality product that perfectly meets market needs.

More and more companies and users worldwide are using e-commerce for their purchases. For this reason, packaging represents one of the best brand promotion systems, offering endless communication possibilities and opportunities, creating a unique experience for the customer. Packaging in e-commerce strategy: the new frontiers. Packaging has always been a fundamental aspect of the sales process, but with the rise of e-commerce, it has become even more relevant. Read also: “Paper packaging in the digital era and the circular economy” The importance of e-commerce in recent years In recent years, packaging has undergone a significant evolution. It is no longer just a box to protect the product, but a key element in the sales strategy. E-commerce, in this regard, represents an ideal opportunity to communicate a specific message. Packaging, in fact, represents a crucial physical contact with the customer during the buying process, an opportunity to consolidate brand perception and stand out from the competition with personality and eco-sustainability. Consequently, packaging must succeed in transmitting brand values and recreating the shopping experience, ensuring the same level of satisfaction as packaging provided in-store. And regarding the environmental aspect, according to the E-commerce packaging survey, 60% of consumers believe it is important or very important for a retailer's packaging to be “sustainable.” The ecological factor can therefore be considered an incentive for some consumers to make a purchase from one retailer over a competitor. For brands, this means focusing on a more conscious approach, reducing the use of plastic and using only paper-based materials, making packaging increasingly minimalist. Sectors and packaging trends to watch The future of packaging must take into account new habits, such as the trend toward leading an on-the-go lifestyle. This makes it necessary to activate new pick-up methods like lockers or collection points, and to prioritize on-the-go packaging and formats. Companies will need to commit to choosing materials characterized by visual elements that make the package unique, while simultaneously optimizing stock management and procurement, which must always be fast and available. Among the sectors evolving the most in terms of packaging customization, we find: Home decor and interior design: accessories for private and commercial homes, comfort objects, and other interior design elements; Technology: increasingly requested objects, not only in the B2C branch but also in the B2B one; Kitchen: such as utensils for catering activities, as well as for private individuals, with work tools and household appliances; Sport: for those training at home, there are gym equipment for indoor use or for outdoor activities such as trekking and hiking. Let's look at the key trends to keep an eye on: Packaging customization Custom packaging not only makes the product more attractive but also more memorable. Furthermore, packaging customization can be used to strengthen the brand and create a unique buying experience. Specifically, we talk about: Packaging with the customer's name: a unique purchasing experience that also makes the customer feel special and important; Packaging with personalized messages: perhaps including a custom note in the package shipped to the customer. The note can contain a thank-you message, pairing suggestions, or other relevant information; Packaging with custom design: it not only makes the product more attractive but also strengthens the brand image; Packaging with customization options: offering customers the possibility to choose the color of the packaging. Eco-sustainable packaging Sustainability is an increasingly important issue for consumers, and it is becoming a crucial aspect of packaging as well. Adopting eco-sustainable materials is a way to demonstrate the company's commitment to the environment and to meet consumer needs. Choosing eco-friendly materials can also help reduce production costs and improve brand image. E-commerce businesses can use a variety of green materials, including recycled paper, cardboard, biomaterials, and bioplastics; biodegradable or recyclable materials that reduce the environmental impact of packaging. In addition to eco-friendly materials, other sustainable packaging techniques exist, such as reducing packaging dimensions to cut material waste and using optimized wrapping methods to minimize empty spaces and use less material. E-commerce companies can choose suppliers that adopt sustainable production practices and use renewable energy to power their factories. In this way, e-commerce businesses can reduce the environmental impact of the entire production chain, not just the packaging. "Unboxing" packaging Unboxing has become a true phenomenon in e-commerce. It is the moment when the consumer opens the package and discovers the product. "Unboxing" packaging is designed to create a memorable opening experience and focuses on product presentation, making it visually appealing and engaging for the customer. This can be achieved through the use of bright colors, unique shapes, and high-quality finishes, such as gold foil or glossy varnish. Furthermore, premium materials like thick paper or fabrics can be used to create packaging that looks and feels luxurious. It can include elements like custom pouches, colorful labels and stickers, and innovative filling materials like air bubbles or colored wrapping paper. Another important aspect of "unboxing" packaging is attention to detail, with custom stickers, colored ribbons, and handwritten thank-you notes to create a more personal buying experience for the customer. In this way, the customer will feel part of a community and feel closer to the brand. "Unboxing" packaging can be effectively used to increase customer loyalty and improve the buying experience to make it unforgettable, making them feel truly valued and important to the brand. Additionally, it can be used as a viral marketing tool, as happy customers often share photos and videos of their unboxing on social media, thereby increasing brand visibility. Interactive packaging This type of packaging uses technologies like augmented reality or virtual reality to engage the consumer. For example, the consumer can scan a QR code on the package to access special content such as videos, games, or discounts. Interactive packaging can also include elements like board games, puzzles, or other activities that engage the consumer. For instance, augmented reality can be used to create a digital version of the product inside the packaging, allowing the customer to explore the product interactively before opening it. Furthermore, sensors can be used to create packaging that lights up or emits sounds when opened, creating a multisensory purchasing experience. In this way, packaging becomes an integral part of the marketing strategy, as it can be used to create a unique and engaging buying experience for the customer. Interactive packaging can also improve product security, for example, by using sensors or QR codes to verify product authenticity and reassure customers that the purchased item is genuine. Luxury packaging While luxury packaging was once reserved for high-end products, today many e-commerce companies use this type of packaging to create an exclusive buying experience; it can include elements like rigid boxes, premium materials, special finishes, and customized accessories. Luxury packaging, in fact, uses premium materials and high-quality finishes to create a luxurious and refined purchasing experience. It is often used for high-end products, such as jewelry, perfumes, cosmetics, and clothing, and focuses on the use of premium materials like thick paper, fabrics, leather, precious metals, glossy varnish, gold, or silver to create an effect of luxury and sophistication. Luxury packaging can also be used as a marketing tool to create a high-end brand image, conveying the idea that the purchased product is of superior quality compared to the competition. Furthermore, luxury packaging can be used as a customer retention tool, as customers often keep luxury packaging as a valuable item. Packaging has therefore become an essential component of companies' e-commerce strategy. It not only creates a strong emotional bond between the consumer and the brand but can also improve customer loyalty and increase repeat sales opportunities. All of this requires an investment of time and money, but the results can amply repay the financial effort made. See also: “Packaging trends: all the latest innovations in wrapping”