The packaging industry has seen a change in recent years, bringing with it a boom in e-commerce, a shift in consumer expectations, and a push towards sustainability. Because of this, companies are scrambling to provide their customers with novel, satisfying experiences, particularly through packaging. We’ve seen innovations from manufacturers in pet food, health products, and more, whether those experiences include elements like recyclability, eye-catching designs, or even augmented reality. The consumer experience today goes beyond the product, regardless of the business.
Cereal boxes have mostly not evolved from their bag-in-a-box shape, despite some granola and cereal brands implementing new container designs, enhanced functionality, and even recyclable packages. This is because, up until recently, it served the needs of customers by being practical, reasonably priced, and providing an abundance of space for advertising.
Even though maintaining the same packaging tools and procedures can have short-term financial advantages, this is the moment to enhance customer satisfaction and outperform competing companies.
1. Packaging That Can Be Sealed For Their Preferred Cereals
For years now, consumers have pushed for reclosable cereal packages. It’s been the focus of Twitter arguments, Pinterest boards, and even sections on customer reviews on the websites of popular cereal brands. Customers on these platforms want brands to move to more flexible packaging options, like reclosable ones, because they value freshness, shelf stability, product protection, and cupboard space.
Convenience is another thing that these customers desire. For instance, a busy mother doesn’t have time to dig through drawers for a chip clip or move a bag of freshly opened cereal into a different container. When a young person eats their favourite childhood meal, they don’t want it to drip back into the box when they put it away, or worse, onto the counter. A college student prefers to have easy access to snacks right out of the package. According to social media comments, customers demand the feature and are angry with businesses that haven’t yet implemented it. Customers want businesses to include the same convenience in their cereals since they already enjoy it in other items like granola, candies, nuts, and off-brand cereals with press-to-close zippers or sliders. Because the majority of consumers are ignorant of the complexity involved in packaging design, a brand’s silence simply serves to increase annoyance and confusion.
2. Options For Reusable Packaging For Cereal Brands
Thankfully, the packaging sector has advanced in each of these domains. Movies can now be enjoyed and utilized more than before. With today’s digital printing capabilities, marketers may produce eye-catching graphics on adaptable packaging. Additionally, producers offer a greater selection of superior closures, such as double-lock, recyclable, and particle-resistant zippers for cereal pouches.
3. Cereal Packaging That Is Biodegradable Or Fully Recyclable
Sustainability is now a must for brands across all industries, not just an ideal. However, we can anticipate an even greater demand for recyclable, compostable, and carbon-neutral packaging and products due to growing worries about climate change and the environmental damage caused by single-use plastics.
To maintain product integrity and freshness, cereal makers often utilize two packaging methods: inside plastic packaging and exterior cardboard packaging. There are other reasons why this dual packing is not sustainable. The cardboard box generates more garbage from the outset, requires more energy to transport, and may wind up in a landfill even if it is recycled.
4. Adult-Focused Cereals And Packaging
The two trends before it (consumer experiences and sustainability) point to another one that is growing: adult cereals. According to Thrillist, the COVID-19 pandemic, TikTok, nostalgia, and the expanding selection of plant-based milk options are all bringing adults back to their favourite childhood meal. These consumers, who are now adults, have cravings for more than simply their childhood cereals. Additionally, they desire fresh menu items, updated mascots, and even “statement pieces” for their pantries. The founder of Cereal & Such, Theo Martins, says, “As an adult who still eats cereal and enjoys it with friends, I don’t want to be spoken down to.
Moreover, Thrillist claims that these expectations have resulted in more “grown-up” visual design, environmentally friendly packaging, and occasionally whole new items. “Cereal for adults” brands include customer values and feelings in addition to ingredients (low-sugar, high-protein alternatives). Some manufacturers use the packaging of cereal to highlight figures that represent various emotional states or to express their social justice stance.
It’s not necessary to create a brand or new product if you want to target adult consumers with cereal. Packaging is the ideal place to start, whether your goal is to create a nostalgic feel or an eye-catching, contemporary image. Think of packaging as your product’s mobile billboard.
5. Set The Standard For Packaging Transformation In Cereals
Businesses that drop outdated packaging formats will stand out as brands transform the market in response to consumers’ ongoing demands for sustainability, premium experiences, and ease of use. Speak with the Fresh Lock team right now to find out how you can help propel that transformation.
Conclusion
In particular, the piece highlights how packaging design is changing in the cereal business. Consumer expectations for convenience, sustainability, and creativity are forcing manufacturers to make changes to their traditional cereal custom packaging solution, which has hardly altered in decades. Concerns about sustainability are driving demand for packaging that is recyclable and biodegradable, while freshness and convenience of use are driving demand for reusable and reclosable containers. The increase in cereals targeted at adults is another sign of a trend toward sophisticated branding and a wider range of products. Cereal packaging is about to undergo a revolutionary change as a result of adopting these modifications to better suit the changing needs of consumers and stand out in the market.