The analytical company GlobalData has published trends for the packaging industry based on a public opinion poll conducted in 2019 in the Asia-Pacific region.
First of all, consumer behavior changes in accordance with the desire to lead a healthy lifestyle and reduce the negative burden on the environment.
Eco packaging trend
69% of respondents prefer products in packaging from recyclable materials, and 71% of respondents choose reusable packaging. Eco-packaging also plays an important role in positioning plant products as an alternative to traditional ones in the segment for vegans and vegetarians.
Transparency and quality
Customers are increasingly paying attention to the composition of the product indicated on the label, therefore they expect the manufacturer to be completely “transparent” in the indication of the ingredients. 65% of respondents make purchases based on their impact on health. In turn, manufacturers try to emphasize the usefulness of the product due to special instructions (“non-GMO”, “gluten-free”, “sugar free”, “no additives”) and choose a completely transparent container to enhance the impression of freshness and naturalness.
Trust and control
Another consumer request has created a tendency to invest in targeted programs to test product quality and verify the effectiveness of the supply chain. 68% of respondents pay attention to how trustworthy the brand and product are. In addition, manufacturers are trying to exclude cases of fraud, so that "fakes" do not harm the reputation of the company and consumers.
QR codes and smart packages
Indication of additional data in the form of QR codes on the package helps to partially satisfy the consumer request for quality control to manufacturers. Respondents positively assess the ability to track the product path at all stages of logistics, and marketers, due to innovations, reduce the distance between the brand and the consumer, conduct analytical measurements and receive real-time feedback.
In countries such as South Korea, Japan, and China, QR codes are also used to narrow the gap between the physical and digital worlds. For example, the Swiss company ScanTrust, in partnership with Shanghai Cambio Coffee, introduced blockchain technology in the supply of coffee. Each coffee package has a unique QR code that guarantees the protection of the product from copying and counterfeiting.
Using the success of implementing QR codes, manufacturers began to attract customers through smart packaging. Additional information about the ingredients is encrypted using bar codes, and later customers read it through special mobile applications.
Source: FruitNews based on GlobalData