| "body"> | | | | package has one or more hinges. A single hinged |
| Spare me, please. I'm sick of hearing about "wrap | | | | clamshell usually includes a hanger tab that allows |
| rage." It’s worse than ever this year and | | | | the finished product to hang on in-store pegs. A |
| it’s not even Christmas yet. Despite all the | | | | multi hinged clamshell offers additional features |
| publicity surrounding all the good things packaging | | | | that can include a flat base for free standing of |
| does, keep the product safe and secure, the | | | | the package and the enclosed product. |
| media is on the attack. It seems that this is a | | | | Let’s think of all the products that come in |
| subject the public can really get in to (no pun | | | | clamshell and all of those companies that |
| intended). If you are into blogging, check out the | | | | manufacture plastic clamshells. Just GOOGLE that |
| words "Wrap Rage" and you will get an earful. | | | | and you will be surprised. Bought any cosmetics, |
| I faithfully respond to the blogs with one or two | | | | electronics, food, hardware, produce, office |
| of my articles explaining the role of packaging in | | | | supplies, toys, toiletries lately? |
| modern society to no avail. People just love to | | | | There is support for the demise of the clamshell |
| rant about the problems of packaging foisted | | | | on other fronts too. Granted this came out of |
| upon them by the product manufacturers. As if | | | | Europe but a major new study reveals that, given |
| we deliberately made these things difficult to | | | | the choice, almost nine out of every ten shoppers |
| open. Are we advocating increasing the amount | | | | would choose products packed in paper rather |
| of pilferage so we can pay more at retail? I | | | | than plastic or other materials. |
| guess we intuitively know what's inside because | | | | The results were highlighted in a recent survey |
| we don't have to actually see what we are | | | | carried out by IPSOS, the world’s second |
| buying. But seriously, don't forget we the | | | | largest market research agency. IPSOS based |
| "packaging people" are consumers too. Products | | | | their conclusions on interviews with 6,500 |
| are packaged a certain way for a reason and its | | | | consumers in seven major European countries. 93 |
| not to make it more difficult. | | | | per cent of the respondents said that they prefer |
| I recently received sales pitches from companies | | | | paper because they consider it is more |
| producing nifty devices to open the plastic | | | | “environmentally friendly,” while 87 |
| consumer nemesis (clamshell) purportedly without | | | | per cent of the group would choose paper |
| mishap. If you recall, I earlier mentioned that a | | | | because of “convenience” factors. |
| smart marketer would include one of these | | | | So are we seeing a revolt against the plastic |
| devices free with every order. (It would have to | | | | clamshell? Will the plastic clamshell be subjected to |
| be on the outside of the package, of course.) If | | | | a slow lingering death by detractors and |
| you need some resources for this, please let me | | | | naysayers? Or will consumers finally GET OVER |
| know. | | | | IT and go about their business? Time will tell. In |
| I have counted no less than five articles within the | | | | any case be sure and send me good examples of |
| week decrying bad packaging but mostly focusing | | | | plastic clamshell packaging that works. |
| on the poor plastic clamshell. So, I spent a little | | | | Don't forget you too can be famous or infamous |
| time thinking about where we would be without it. | | | | depending which side of the fence you sit. Be |
| What is a clamshell? | | | | sure and submit your Oyster Award Candidates. |
| By definition and its function, a clamshell refers to | | | | Go to their website and nominate your package |
| a formed plastic package used to encapsulate and | | | | for this year's awards. |
| boldly display a retail product. The formed plastic | | | | |