How customers behave never stops changing and with 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic that pace of change has accelerated, in particular towards consumer attitudes towards sustainability and how this can potentially influence their shopping behavior and habits.
Businesses globally have witnessed over the last 12+ months a massive change in consumption patterns and shopping habits.
There has been a noticeable shift in consumer preferences for example to shop closer to home, adopt online shopping and be more mindful of the impact that their consumption behavior has on the environment.
In particular, consumer attitudes towards sustainability have changed significantly and are influencing shopping behavior.
Read more about what we saw as the trends and changes in 2020 with the CPG market and packaging.
Pre the pandemic there was already an increasing public awareness of the impact of packaging waste, with images of plastics pollution in the oceans stirring up consumer sentiment around the world.
That consumer pressure has gained momentum, as sustainable packaging moves up the agenda, setting a challenge for FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) companies and retailers to act on packaging waste and how to manage the packaging supply chain.
As a reaction to the pressure on sustainability FMCG companies and retailers are proactively making big commitments regarding sustainability and looking to fundamentally rethink how they package their products.
Read more about Persson products
Packaging no doubt can enhance a product’s look and feel and reduce the environmental impact – if the materials are recyclable and taken from sustainable sources. Innovating around sustainability offers companies a path to highlight their environmentally-friendly credentials and can help shape brand perceptions.
Considering the heightened concern around climate issues, companies that offer a sustainable choice will most likely benefit from new sustainability-minded customers.
Plus, introducing new product benefits that consumers value such as sustainable packaging can also reduce shoppers’ sensitivity to price, as they weigh up the environmental benefits. Likewise, a company that uses packaging material that hasn’t been well thought-through can negatively impact both the customers’ experience and brand perception.
Those companies in the packaging industry that can combine the right focus along with their innovation capabilities can promote a unique selling point, by creating packaging in paper with sustainable resources.
Read more about How e-commerce companies can differentiate customer experience through packaging.
This is a new landscape for the packaging industry, a chance to embrace sustainability as consumer attitudes change and regulatory requirements mount up. The new challenges around waste management and recyclability are taking FMCG companies and retailers into new and unfamiliar territory.
Consequently, FMCG companies and retailers will require much closer collaboration with packaging converters to understand how to deal with these new challenges with much more proactive relationships.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution that converters can embrace as they work on strategies for sustainable packaging with their FMCG and retailer customers. The common thread is that customers are demanding a more responsible approach to packaging waste and are keen to see manufacturers respond in an appropriate way.
The team at Persson Innovation are dedicated professionals, responsible for everything from our paper handle designs and production to ensuring we meet our own sustainability commitments.
Persson’s extensive global experience puts us in a strong position to develop a sustainable paper handle proposition for converters and FMCGs.
We offer alternative materials to plastic and provide packaging concepts that focus on high quality materials and production values.
Thinking sustainable packaging doesn’t have to be varying shades of dullness. It can be a world full of fun and inspiration. It’s about time to re-think packaging. It’s time for our 100% Sustainable paper handle: EcoGrip!
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