Retail Packaging Update -- Flexible Packaging Is Your Key To Big Success At Club Stores

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