How to Get the Most Out of Your Retail Ready Packaging Design
Did you know that packaging design is a major influencer of consumer purchasing behavior? In fact, studies have found that on average, brands have about seven seconds to make a good impression before consumers will move on to other options. In supermarket and box stores, where products can number in the tens of thousands, it’s essential for your packaging to stand out and convince potential customers to commit to your brand. But how can you go about doing that? We’re glad you asked! One fantastic way to accomplish this is by paying a lot of attention to your retail ready packaging design.
Retail ready packaging (also known as shelf ready packaging) is designed to be easily stocked and displayed on store shelves without the need for unpacking or repackaging your products. The goal of retail ready packaging is to increase efficiency in stocking, improve product presentation, and support better inventory management, all while visually engaging your customers. That’s a lot of jobs for one simple package. Let’s look at how you can optimize the design of your retail ready-packaging for maximum impact.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Retail Ready Packaging Design
Customize Size and Shape
While size and shape may not be the first thing you think about when you’re trying to catch the attention of more customers, the wrong fit can put consumers off… even if they can’t articulate why. Poorly sized retail-ready packaging can result in excessive material waste and damage during transit.
Right-size packaging, on the other hand, is designed to accommodate the specific dimensions of your products, ensuring a snug and secure fit. Not only does this help protect your products during transportation, but it can also help enhance the presentation of your products on the shelves by delivering a higher-end, custom feel.
Optimize Structural Design
Optimizing the structural design of retail-ready packaging involves balancing visual appeal and functionality. Choose structures that look attractive and also serve practical purposes. Visually appealing designs can catch the eye of consumers, creating a positive first impression and drawing attention to the product.
At the same time, functional aspects are crucial; for instance, packaging must protect products during transit to minimize damage and returns. And stackability ensures that products can be efficiently stored and displayed, maximizing shelf space and reducing clutter.
Do Market Research for Branded Elements
Conducting thorough market research is essential for integrating branded elements into retail-ready packaging. Understanding consumer preferences, needs, and behaviors will allow you to tailor your packaging design to resonate with your target audience. This includes making decisions on colors, imagery, and messaging that align with consumer expectations and preferences.
For example, bright and bold colors might appeal to a younger demographic, while more muted tones could attract a more mature audience. Similarly, imagery and messaging should reflect the brand’s identity and values while also appealing to what consumers find attractive and relevant. Market research helps ensure that the packaging design not only captures attention but also connects with consumers on a deeper level, fostering brand loyalty and increasing the likelihood of purchase.
Add Interactive Elements
Incorporating interactive elements into retail-ready packaging can significantly enhance consumer engagement and add value to your product. QR codes, for example, can provide instant access to product information, promotions, or instructional videos, making the shopping experience more interactive and informative.
Similarly, product demos and instructional content can help consumers understand the product better, increasing their confidence in the purchase. These elements can be particularly effective in differentiating products in a crowded marketplace by offering added value that goes beyond the physical product. Engaging customers through interactive packaging not only creates a memorable experience but also encourages repeat purchases and brand loyalty.
Highlight Sustainable Materials
As sustainability becomes an increasingly important factor for consumers, highlighting the use of sustainable materials in retail-ready packaging can significantly influence purchasing decisions. Designing packaging to emphasize the recyclability of corrugated materials can appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. This can be achieved through printed messages, diagrams, or statistics on the packaging that communicate the sustainability efforts of the brand.
Get Customized Retail Ready Packaging From Axis
At Axis Corrugated, we’ve been providing custom retail-ready packaging since the 1980s. Headquartered near the Research Triangle, we’re proud to provide packaging solutions for businesses in North Carolina and the surrounding states. We’ll collaborate with you to engineer packaging that suits the needs of your business, your products, and your customers. Plus, with our graphics and printing departments, and our JIT-shipping and VMI capabilities, we’re a packaging supplier that has your needs covered from end-to-end.
Get in touch today to get started with a free packaging audit.