FEATURE
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
1. Digital printing and customisation
Customisation is an effective way to
highlight a brand and improve the
unboxing experience. Thanks to digital
printing, packaging customisation is
made easier. Online platforms enable
entire concepts to be designed on the
computer and then immediately be sent
to print. This process allows businesses
to have complete control over the look
of their brand and packaging. Many
companies are using this option to
create a personal connection with
their customers.
2. Sustainability
Modern consumers’ concerns over the
environment have greatly impacted
the packaging industry. Shoppers now
want sustainable packaging that won’t
further harm the planet. Companies are
adapting to this growing need by using
sustainable materials in their packaging
and printing products.
3. Packaging with e-commerce in mind
Grocery store shopping used to be the
norm, but more and more consumers
are now going online for their grocery
44
needs. The online food market is growing,
and companies are taking notice. To
satisfy this developing trend, brands are
being applied to both store and online
packaging, with the latter shipping in
smaller packaging that resembles the one
found in the actual store. This reassures
customers that they will receive the same
product regardless of how they purchase it.
4. Long-life packaging
The global marketplace has opened
the door to worldwide shopping. With
this convenience comes the need
to maintain product freshness as it
travels long distances. Businesses are
responding to this challenge by using
new materials and techniques that
keep items fresh. With the right shipping
container, food can avoid spoilage and
arrive at its destination in peak shape,
thus preventing a negative unboxing
experience that could hurt a company’s
bottom line.
This trend is only relevant for long-
distance travel, so companies shipping
to customers in their own city or state
do not necessarily need to follow suit.
However, it is always important to
consider travel distances and know how
long a food product will stay fresh before
implementing any type of strategy.
5. Packaging for city dwellers
Food brands are being developed to
respond to the needs of city dwellers.
Big-city living often comes with space
issues that influence the way people shop.
As a solution, businesses are creating
lightweight, compact packaging that
can easily fit in the cramped apartments
or small condos associated with an urban
lifestyle. This type of packaging allows
people to buy more items without having
to worry about storage. Companies can
offer this packaging option to all customers,
or segment their audience for a more
targeted approach, sending smaller
packaging to people who live in urban
districts and larger packaging to those in
rural areas.
New trends emerge on a regular basis,
so it is important to stay on top of them all.
Today’s consumers are savvy; they expect
brands to adapt to new developments.
Failure to follow emerging trends could
have devastating consequences for a
company’s brand. CLA
of evolution. To stay ahead of the game,
companies must be quick to adopt new
trends. Here are some of the industry’s most
pertinent trends and strategies as explored
in an article by Phil Bagdasarian (co-
founder of Packwire) on FoodLogistics.com.
Pharmaceutical products, especially vaccines, are heavily regulated and will be rejected if
the cold chain is broken at any stage of the processing process (or ever really).
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
COLD LINK AFRICA • May 2019