| Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has decided | | | | If you recall I wrote last fall about "How Wal-Mart |
| that it wants to sell organic food. They made the | | | | Rocked The Packaging World" by placing a very |
| "big" announcement last week. Having shopped | | | | large order for corn based plastic clamshells in its |
| Wal-Mart looking for a natural or organics food | | | | produce department. This action has spurred a |
| section, I find this declaration to be long overdue. | | | | bevy on new "green" packaging products. |
| Currently, most of the nation's major food | | | | Wal-Mart even hosted the Wal-Mart Environmental |
| producers are hard at work developing organic | | | | Sustainability Packaging Fair, held April 12 through |
| versions of their best-selling products. Look for | | | | 14 in Bentonville, Ark. (If you were lucky enough |
| new organic products from as Kellogg’s | | | | to be invited to participate, be sure and let me |
| Rice Krispies or Kraft macaroni and cheese later | | | | know the outcome.) Some claim this support for |
| this year. | | | | "environmental sustainability" by Wal-Mart is political |
| All things "organic" has become the new rage. | | | | whitewashing. Who knows the reality; I only know |
| There are some very successful retailers trading | | | | that the number of new "green" product |
| on this fact including Whole Foods and Wild Oats | | | | announcements has increased dramatically and |
| Markets. A new study conducted by Grapentine | | | | Wal-Mart is leading the charge. |
| Company, Inc. revealed that a majority of | | | | Logically it makes sense that organic products |
| consumers rank the concept of purchasing fresh | | | | would be packaged in some kind of |
| food in natural-based packaging on par with two | | | | environmentally friendly or natural material. After |
| of grocery retails highest-selling product trends, | | | | all, the very word organic means food produced |
| fresh herbs and spices, and organic meats and | | | | without chemically formulated fertilizers, growth |
| produce. | | | | stimulants, antibiotics or pesticides. Most likely the |
| Seems that Wal-Mart, along with other retailers, is | | | | food producers would prefer "green" packaging to |
| trying to modernize and improve their image with | | | | complement their organic offerings. This presents |
| more contemporary offerings, "organic" being one. | | | | a growth opportunity for packaging to develop |
| But what does this mean to you? I just came | | | | new materials and packaging concepts. |
| back from giving the keynote, "If You Package It | | | | When one company can drive packaging |
| will They Buy," at Cal Poly Poly Pack 06 [ last | | | | innovation, it’s critical to pay attention |
| week. All of the audience’s (the largest | | | | where they are going and how this can impact |
| ever) questions revolved around the "green" | | | | the future of your business. Other retail drivers |
| movement in packaging. | | | | are companies like Home Depot and Costco or |
| Everyone wanted to know what the future is for | | | | even the fast food giant McDonalds that are |
| the current environmental movement in package | | | | eyeing ways to attract new consumers or keep |
| development. As you know, I have dedicated | | | | the ones they have. It’s important to |
| several past PNYCU issues to that very topic. | | | | recognize a shift in the focus of these giant |
| Remember "Earth Day Battle: Packaging VS. The | | | | retailers their direction drives where the majority |
| Environment" and "It's Easy Being Green - | | | | of the business will go. Most important of all take |
| Packaging Your "Green" Brand" which give | | | | in to consideration: What Wal-Mart Wants |
| numerous examples of new package | | | | Wal-Mart Gets. |
| introductions? | | | | |