Retail Trends: Online vs. Bricks and Mortar Forecast

Retails trends and the competition between online sales verses brick and mortar sales continue to be a hot topic throughout the entire retail sector. The move to downsize large locations continues to be undertaken by many brick and mortar retailers, as well as an increase in online offerings to compete with those retailers taking over the online scene.  On the other hand, the fact that consumers seem to refuse to give up their desire to shop in-store at a physical location has other, previously online-only, retailers setting up shop on the ground.

The majority of retail sales are still happening offline and the forecast suggests that although online sales will continue to increase, the likelihood of them taking over is slim, at least for the foreseeable future.

Check out this great article from the Globe and Mail, “Retail Reboot: How E-commerce is Forcing an Industry Transformation”: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/retail-reboot-how-e-commerce-is-forcing-an-industry-transformation/article21602870/?page=all. In it, the author presents a startling number of both direct and indirect impacts of online shopping, both to the online sector itself and to brick and mortar locations. Clearly e-commerce is changing the retail landscape.

Here is a great graph from the above mentioned article that shows just how much of an impact online sales are having in Canada:

As mentioned, in 2014, several big name online only stores, including Amazon, set up physical retail stores. This is in direct opposition to those stores making the move to smaller locations, but for the online-only retailers, the need came as a result of the desire of shoppers for the in-store experience and therefore validates the need for physical stores. For these stores, new marketing strategies with things like point of purchase displays and creative packaging have become a new challenge.

This is all part of another growing retail trend - omni-channel retailing, or simply put, the creation of a seamless customer experience across all channels. Creating a positive in-store experience can lead to further online sales thanks to a heightened brand awareness and increased customer loyalty - and vice versa.

With competition in no short supply, garnering attention on the shelf has become even more crucial. Creative, unique and intelligent customer packaging can get your product noticed - another growing trend within the retail industry. This is also vital when it comes to shipping - a boring brown box catches no attention, whereas one that is branded well is seen by a significant number as it makes its way to the final destination and reinforces your brand to the receiver. For those stores now having to revamp their typical strategies as a result of their move to brick and mortar, displays are becoming a new, yet very effective, tool.

For more about the major changes going on in the retail landscape and how you can continue to compete, please contact Packaging Technologies Inc. today by calling 1-800-303-5883.

Generation Gap: Retail Trends for 2015

It is 2015, and the impact of the generation gap on retail trends is not a new topic of conversation. That being said, for many brands and retailers alike, recognizing that different age groups benefit from different marketing tactics is proving harder to harness than many would like.

Each age group has certain characteristics that impact their buying behaviour and the purchases they intend to make over the coming months. These are just a few of the characteristics marketers are using to influence their strategies when it comes to Boomers in particular:

• Boomers are wealthier than previous generations.
• They are more concerned with youth and vitality.
• Most have some form of formal exercise in their schedule.
• Expect to take 4-5 trips in 2015.
• Boomers are downsizing in the real estate market. Purchasing condos with amenities within walking distance.
• Reviving the at-home dinner party, with more entertaining.
• Enjoying wine in a bigger way.

Still having a hard time recognizing how exactly you can take this information and apply it to your marketing strategy? Check out this great article from Magic Online, “4 Ways to Market to Baby Boomers in 2015”: http://magicblog.magiconline.com/content/4-ways-to-market-baby-boomers-2015.

Top 4 Ways:

1. Know that baby boomers are tech savvy - the all-to-common assumption that age denotes level of tech knowledge is a wasted opportunity.
2. Target without alienating other consumer groups - you can’t always please everyone at once, but that doesn’t mean segregating and separating your strategy to cut out various groups. 
3. Recognize that transparency and trust are everything - as shoppers get older, no matter the age range, loyalty changes - but transparency is a crucial way at maintaining a hold on that loyalty.
4. Don’t market to baby boomers as if they’re old - this one pretty much speaks for itself - no one likes this!

As far as retail trends for 2015 go, recognizing generation gaps is crucial for success.

For more about retail trends and how to implement them when it comes to your packaging strategy, please contact Packaging Technologies Inc. today by calling 1-800-303-5883.

Odd Couple: Beef Consumption & Sustainable Packaging

It might seem strange to couple beef consumption and sustainable packaging together - but when it comes to the current state of consumer awareness, it actually makes a great deal of sense. Earth conscious, Earth-friendly, sustainable - all buzzwords today, no matter the industry, and these two industries are definitely included.

Check out this great article from the Calgary Herald, “Beef Industry Works to Become More Environmentally Sustainable”: http://calgaryherald.com/business/local-business/beef-industry-works-to-become-more-environmentally-sustainable. In it, the issue of sustainability in the cattle industry is raised, and the ways in which ranchers are taking very seriously the push to make everything they do more sustainable are highlighted. This includes changing decade-long practices to make them more eco-friendly, and creating a committee to discuss the matter specifically, the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.

Why this push in the beef sector? For one thing, thanks to population growth and the rise of a new global middle-class, global meat demand is expected to surge by 70 by 2050, meaning more pressure on the beef industry to produce.

Secondly, the push also comes as a result of growing consumer awareness. Far more people are aware of the environmental impacts of what they are consuming, hence the need for the Canadian cattle industry to stand up and make changes. For example, recognizing the consumer demand for ethical, high-quality beef, several big name fast food chains have now adopted these buzz words or their counterparts as part of their marketing campaigns - and people seem to be responding well.

Here is where the connection with sustainable packaging comes in. Whether you operate in the beef sector or not, sustainability should be important to you as well. As mentioned, consumers are now far more aware, and whether or not a company chooses to be earth-friendly has come to play a major role in influencing purchasing decisions.

So, looking at your own packaging, here are some things to think about for the months ahead:

• Does your custom packaging reflect sustainability?
• Is the fact that your packaging is ethical and responsible visible to your consumer?
• Does your packaging reflect a conscious decision to choose the most minimal, recyclable materials?
• Does your packaging speak to a number of different groups in the global market?

As consumers become more and more aware of the importance of sustainability, the need to cater to these wants will inevitably increase, thereby further influencing our decisions, especially when it comes to packaging.

For more about sustainable packaging, both in design and manufacturing, please contact Packaging Technologies Inc. today at 1-800-303-5883.

Bringing Your A Game: Omni-Channel Retailing

We are well into 2015 now, and that means that our New Year’s resolution to take into consideration the newest retail trends should be well underway. This is, after all, critical. Today’s consumer is far more tech savvy and sophisticated, no matter the demographic grouping they fall under, than ever before, and that means that our marketing and retail strategies should reflect this.

Today’s consumer has also become conditioned to expect far more than ever before, largely as a result of the evolution of retailing itself, specifically with regard to omni-channel retailing. Omni-channel retailing means delivering a seamless shopping experience, no matter the channel being accessed (ie. personal computer, bricks-and-mortar store, smartphone, over the phone). 

Want a great example of how some retailers are making the most of everything omni-channel retailing has to offer? Check out this recent article from Tech Times, “Like2Buy turns Instagram into instant shopping haven. Ready, set, click!”: http://www.techtimes.com/articles/14390/20140829/like2buy-turns-instagram-into-instant-shopping-haven.htm.

According to the article, marketing and analytics company Curalate has seen the value of omni-channel retailing, developed the platform Like2Buy, and has it currently up and running on several big name brands’ Instagram sites.

What does the platform do? Recognizing the frustration retailers have when consumers see their items on Instagram but are not given the chance to purchase, Like2Buy helps boost sales by solving the problem - it lets Instagram users purchase what they see on their feeds! A true omni-channel retailing experience. And since omni-channel shoppers spend 35-50% more than one-channel shoppers according to IAC Retail Insight, we see this as an important development in the omni-channel world.

Things to think about when implementing an omni-channel strategy:

• Content needs to flow seamlessly across all channels
• Retailers need to stay connected and remain transparent
• Business strategies for all channels need to be consistent

When it comes to omni-channel retailing and your packaging strategy, here are a few things you should consider:

• Emphasis should be placed on creating a unified packaging strategy through all channels, considering shape, style, colour and branding.
• Packaging needs to be strong and sound to withstand the test of online delivery - if the product is not in pristine condition when it arrives, the customer will not be satisfied.
• Structural design should also take into consideration shipping costs and how to minimize them.
• Package branding needs to be consistent throughout all channels.

See the value in omni-channel retailing and want to get a campaign started? Packaging Technologies Inc. can help. Contact us today by calling 1-800-303-5883. 

Beer Packaging: Ontario-Based Brewers in Beer Store

For those of you as yet unaware, a great deal has been brewing in the beer industry (sorry, the pun just could not be avoided). Early in January, the Beer Store announced that it would be opening its doors to Ontario craft brewers, giving them the chance to break down the barriers that have previously hindered their growth (although one might counter this statement by the fact that even with the Beer Store monopoly, sales of craft beer have increased by 575%).

As the only sanctioned private outlet for beer sales, the Beer Store opening ownership to small brewers is no small thing, especially since this will give craft brewers a chance to grab some of the 80% of beer sales done by the Beer Store. The agreement states that “Ontario brewers that sell more than five million litres a year would pay $1,000, and smaller brewers $100, to become owners and get a Class E or Class F share in the Beer Store.”

You can read more about this here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/beer-store-opens-ownership-to-all-ontario-based-brewers-1.2892251

However, the story does not end there. Following the announcement regarding craft brewers, brewer and lawyer Michael Hassell has informed the Ontario government that he will be taking legal action “to strike down a section of the Liquor Control Act that makes the Beer Store monopoly status the only private firm allowed to sell beer directly to consumers without brewing it on the premises.”

This coincides with a separate $1.4 billion class action suit filed against the LCBO and the Beer Store regarding the sale of beer and an accord struck between brewers and the LCBO. Check out more about this here: http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2015/01/14/charles-sousa-warns-change-brewing-for-beer-store-monopoly.html. 

Clearly change is coming.

For more about the impacts of these changes, or for strategies to compete in the competitive beer market with custom beer packaging, please contact Packaging Technologies Inc. today by calling 1-800-303-5883.

Flexible & Reliable: Kisko on Why Packaging Technologies Inc.

Any retailer or brand knows that, when it comes to production and manufacturing, the right relationship can yield great benefits. Here at Packaging Technologies Inc. we like to think that our relationship with our partners is important, and as such we take seriously our commitment to provide the very best service, with high-quality products.

Check out this video in which Mark Josephs, President of Kisko Products, speaks about the relationship between his company and Packaging Technologies Inc.

Why PTI? For Josephs, as the head of a family-owned and operated business, shared values is important, and a commitment to service and quality is key. Flexibility and reliability are also key; being able to call PTI and request a shipment on short notice, quick turn-around, and the ability to change production schedules based on consumer demand are never a problem.

And when it comes to the packaging, “PTI has been able to provide for us dynamic packaging, in a preprint format, with lower quantities than are required by other suppliers… The packaging is great, product stands out well.”

Packaging Technologies Inc. is committed to what we do - and that means delivering high-quality product exactly when you need it. Contact us today by calling 1-800-303-5883. 

The Link Between Brand Identity and Custom Packaging

Naming companies exist that assist companies with coming up with the perfect name for their new business or new product. The creative teams within these companies come up with name options, check what names are available for trademark, which URLs are available, etc. 

They conduct linguistic checks to be certain names are pronounceable, unique and appropriate in other languages and cultures. There is a great deal that goes into creating the perfect name and thus establishing brand identity.

Brand identity starts with a name, but is a name all there is to it? Brand identity may start with the perfect name, but the path does not end there. The next step? Creative packaging. Just as a great deal of time and work goes into coming up with a great name, so too should emphasis be placed on developing the perfect design.

Your product packaging should be designed to provoke deeper associations with the name and product, to invoke an emotional connection. So how can a packaging design company help you build the perfect package?

Here are some things to consider:

• What is the message you want to convey? Tell a story with your design, and have it set the stage: elegance, comfort, sustainability, modern, confidence, etc.
• Keep it cohesive with the image you are trying to create and with the product itself.
• Use colour psychology to provoke the desired emotion and reaction in the customer. For example red = energy, blue = security and trust, black = modernity and luxury.
• What are the current trends when it comes to packaging design? Make sure that your company is up-to-date and will use colour, shape, design and material that is in keeping with these trends.

Creative and unique custom packaging is one of the best ways to help distinguish yourself on the shelf. By differentiating your brand, you can quickly carve out that position for your product, regardless of what the competition is doing.

With any new business or product, a name is an essential ingredient for success, but once you have the perfect name you can’t stop there. After all, a great name and bland packing won’t garner attention, but a great name and eye-catching custom packaging will reel in the sales.

For more about custom packaging and brand identity, call Packaging Technologies Inc. today at 1-800-303-5883. We have the creative team that will help you achieve real results.