Market Share Gains by Private Label Brands

In the past, private label brands were often situated at an unfair disadvantage as far as brand perception, often mistaken to be of lesser quality thanks in part to a lower price. However, private label brands have since come to outpace national brands and are now giving these big brands a run for their money.

Today, these are most often referred to as store brands, and they have become vital to the grocery retailer’s growth. They are also a key component in the growth of customer loyalty since they are exclusive to that retailer and the customer will return to buy the store brand product again and again.

So what led to this change? Price is no longer the deciding factor - although of course it does have an impact. Instead, brand trust has come to represent a great deal of the switchover sales. Trust and brand perception have grown steadily, and this is especially true when it comes to millennial shoppers, those born, typically, between 1980 and 2000. Why is this the case? Often it has a lot to do with innovation. According to a recent report from market research done by Mintel, 42% of millennial shoppers see private label brands (store brands) as more innovative than big brand products. When searching for value for their money, coupled with great quality, millennials tends to see store brands as having more to offer.

On the other hand, according to the study, shoppers in the baby boom generation tend to remain more loyal to bigger brands, mainly due to earlier private label experiences (when many stores were still ironing out the kinks) and an historic sense of brand loyalty developed over several years.

So, armed with this knowledge, what then do we know about what customers are looking for when it comes to private label brands? What catches the eye and incites an individual to purchase?

• Promotion of store brands needs to be comparable to the national brands, especially when it comes to point of purchase displays (these displays still carry a lot of weight no matter the shopper’s age). 
• Clean labels with easy to read type for ingredients and product claims - this has a lot to do with brand transparency and helps to build that trust we mentioned earlier.
• Simple focussed messaging, clean images and colourful graphics have replaced cluttered, scattered messaging.
• Functionality is key when it comes to innovation. A package that can do more than just house a product on the shelf will always stand out.
• Sustainability is also crucial. Packaging with a focus on the environment has become far more attractive and can mean big gains as far as sales.

So, how does your packaging stack up? Whether you are a store brand or a national brand, packaging has a lot to do with your sales - are you competing at the highest level?

For more about gains being made by some private label brands, and how you can compete, please contact Packaging Technologies Inc. today at 1-800-303-5883. 

Sunny Product Marketing: Can the Weather Predict Sales?

Weather determines what people all over the globe wear, what they eat, where they go, what they do, even what and when they purchase. Weather plays a significant role in the marketplace and marketers today are using big weather data to manage these opportunities to increase sales.

Studying the weather is not new. Insurance companies and farmers have been using almanacs since Robert B. Thomas published the first one back in 1792, watching the weather forecast to predict weather catastrophes and favourable crops.

According to CBC radio host Terry O’Reily, “Predicting the weather plays an enormous role in the world of advertising and marketing, too. Weather determines what products sell and which don't, and it influences our moods when it comes to spending money. Even a one-degree shift in the temperature has dramatic effects on the sales of dozens of products.”

What are your consumers’ behaviors during certain weather conditions and/or times of the year? It's a valuable question for all businesses to ask. Seasonal business is one consideration but weather is extremely localized and marketers conduct extensive research and closely monitor weather predictions in order to optimize their product offerings to meet the fluctuating demands of their consumers. 

Want to know more about how the weather can be used to impact your product marketing? Check out the entire article here: http://www.cbc.ca/radio/undertheinfluence/how-weather-affects-marketing-1.2801774.

For more about what impacts your product marketing, and how to harness these things, please contact Packaging Technologies Inc. today by calling 1-800-303-5883. 

Big Changes to Beer Sales and Retailing in Ontario

Over the past few months, beer sales and retailing have experienced a number of significant changes in the province. These have impacted a number of different individuals and organizations, and have given some the chance for some great opportunities for future sales. Here are some of the biggest changes coming for beer sales in Ontario.

The biggest change comes in the form of better availability. Ontario has finally taken notice of the demand for greater access, and by the Christmas season this year over 450 supermarkets in the province will feature brews on the shelf. This means that customers will be able to add beer to their shopping list with ease. That being said, sales have been restricted to 6-packs only, and only to a maximum of $1 million in sales/year.  Additionally, the beer must be sold in a separate section and only during the same hours operated by the Beer Store. Also, as mentioned, 450 supermarkets will get the chance to add to their sales, but with over 1500 grocers in Ontario, many won’t make the cut. Many won’t be given the license to sell.

Want to know more? You can read all about this landmark Ontario decision here: http://news.ontario.ca/mof/en/2015/04/expanding-beer-retailing-in-ontario.html.

Another big change will come for Ontario craft brewers.  A recent announcement made by Kathleen Wynne found craft brewers with many more options for their own beer sales. According to the announcement, the Ontario government says “it will make beers from smaller brewers more available and visible in Beer Store locations with improved placement and an increase to 20 per cent from 7 per cent of all shelf space and marketing.”

Why is this move great, not only for Ontario craft brewers, but the economy as a whole? More jobs and thus a more stable economy, especially in smaller communities where craft breweries often get their start. These craft breweries often employ anywhere from 3 to 100 people - making them an important economic resource for many Ontario locales.

Find out more about why Ontario craft brewers are celebrating this change for their own beer sales in the province here: http://www.ontariocraftbrewers.com/press-releases/ocb_press_OCB-Embraces-Beer-Retailing-Changes.php.

For more on both of these exciting changes, check out this great article from the Toronto Star - it covers both: http://www.thestar.com/business/2015/04/16/grocers-restaurants-craft-brewers-toast-beer-store-changes.html.

For more about how to compete in this increasingly competitive beer sales market, Packaging Technologies Inc. has you covered. Our creative, innovative, custom beer packaging can help you compete no matter what shelves your product is stocked on. Call us today at 1-800-303-5883. 

PTI Wins Gold PAC Award with Innovative Steam Whistle Stein Pack

The entire team at Packaging Technologies Inc. is extremely proud to announce that we took gold at this year’s 2015 PAC Global Leadership Awards in the Corrugated Containers - Structural Enhanced category.

The winning package design? Our Oktoberfest beer stein packaging for Steam Whistle Brewery.

Check out more about the specifics here: http://www.pac.ca/2015-pac-leadership-competition-award-winners.html.

This win was also featured in Canadian Packaging Magazine’s April edition. Read the full article on page 4 here: http://www.canadianpackaging.com/digital-edition/.

At Packaging Technologies Inc., we are continually striving for excellence, and our work with Steam Whistle is just one example of this commitment. We have the knowledge and experience to garner the attention your packaging needs.

Enhance your marketing strategy with a custom packaging design that gets noticed. Call award winner Packaging Technologies Inc. today at 1-800-303-5883.