| Modern manufacturers of consumer products are | | | | convenience. Flexible packaging, with its many |
| constantly being challenged to develop new means | | | | varieties, can offer manufacturers a means of saving |
| and methods to obtain the awareness of shoppers. | | | | money on their packaging while still appealing to |
| And the changing face of the retail industry isn't | | | | retailers' needs. It can also be customized for unique |
| making this daunting task any easier. The increased | | | | requirements including the needs of the typical |
| emergence of big-box retailers that are focused on | | | | warehouse club member. |
| moving products quickly and efficiently make | | | | The most appealing feature of flexible packaging is |
| marketers' tasks even harder. | | | | that is can be re-closed and reopened via zip seals |
| But manufacturers must remember that these | | | | and zip locks - something most warehouse shoppers |
| big-box retailers offer a huge payoff, should you | | | | demand. When purchasing a food item in bulk (e.g., a |
| approach them correctly. In recent years, club stores | | | | "party size") the shopper will want the product to |
| like Sam's Club and Costco have become retail | | | | last for a while after they've opened the package. |
| behemoths. According to a recent USA Today article, | | | | And the best way to protect something from |
| the warehouse/club store market took in over $110 | | | | spoilage is to seal it from outside exposure. In most |
| billion in sales last year. | | | | cases the zip seal closure is more than sufficient. |
| With the growing market share of these stores, | | | | Flexible packaging such as printed stand up pouches |
| manufacturers are striving to find ways to make | | | | also offer unique merchandising opportunities. Since |
| their products more appealing to shoppers who | | | | these pouches can be made to either stand on a |
| prefer to buy in bulk or in large quantities. And | | | | shelf or hang on a peg, they can be displayed in a |
| because packaging is one of the most frequently | | | | variety of different ways. In addition, because |
| used methods to gain consumer recognition, flexible | | | | multi-packs are often a staple club store item, |
| packaging offers some unique opportunities for | | | | specialized flexible packaging designs that combine |
| makers of consumer goods wishing to tap into the | | | | multiple packages have a particularly high margin of |
| warehouse/club store market sector. | | | | retail success. |
| The primary selling feature of the warehouse store is | | | | For manufacturers, the increasingly competitive retail |
| convenience. Shoppers like to buy in bulk so they | | | | market may be particularly challenging, but it also |
| don't have to shop again for a while. In addition, club | | | | presents many great opportunities. Just remember to |
| stores like doing things differently because they | | | | think big - big store, big ideas, and big profits! |
| know their shoppers value uniqueness and | | | | |