This is a really interesting insight into the diverse nature of retail outlets across the globe and it’s good to think for a  minute (or three) about the affect that has, not only on the shopping habits of consumers, but also on pack design. All four of the markets mentioned (Brazil, Russia, India & China) work to a totally different supply-model and designers should be aware of this when developing market-specific packs for each of those regions. Even in the same market (e.g. India) there is a huge difference between the requirements for packaging in the huge new department stores sprouting up and the small ‘mom & pop’ stores that exist out in more rural areas. Just think for a moment about the different requirements for each ‘outlet’ in terms of information:

1. The need to read bar codes in some areas and not in others

2. The requirements of self-selection in a department store versus an ‘endorsement’ by ‘mom & pop’ in the smaller stores

3. The greater degree for branding & shelf stand-out required in the bigger stores, where products are ‘fighting’ against  a far bigger range of competing products

4. The more stringent shelving requirements in department stores in terms of  shelf height, ‘facings’ and fit on gondola ends.

To name but a few…. and then there are the different transit & product-protection requirements to get to the store and to be ‘managed’ therin. I.e. The use of an automated (potentially) delivery & stock-handing system in a modern department store to that of  ‘horse & cart’ delivery & manual booking in system to a store in the outer reaches of Goa.

Food for thought – Chris Penfold

Changing retail landscape helps define cosmetics in BRIC markets

The fast-changing retail landscapes in Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC markets) are creating new opportunities for cosmetics and personal care players to market products.

Although the retail landscapes are developing in quite different ways in each market, the key to successfully marketing personal care and cosmetics products will be determined by how effective companies are at tapping into these channels.

Speaking at the recent HBA conference program, held in New York City last month, Kline Group’s Carrie Mellage lifted the lid on each of these markets to show how the retail channels are evolving and to describe how companies are taking advantage of this.

By By Simon Pitman, 05-Oct-2009 www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com

You can read the full article here: http://tinyurl.com/ydyggt4

It’s an interesting idea and definitely one to keep an eye on.  Whether the consumers will really have the influence to change much remains to be seen but it’s certainly an idea on how to generate interest in the general public.  I hope they will be vetting panel members to ensure that they don’t work for a rival store! (Jane)

Supermarket giant Asda is to consult its customers directly on packaging design as part of new plans to earn long-term loyalty from shoppers.

via Asda to consult customers on packaging in transparency drive | packagingnews.co.uk.

Josh Brooks, packagingnews.co.uk, 05 October 2009

Josh Brooks, packagingnews.co.uk, 24 September 2009

Ireland’s plastic bag tax is to double under new laws expected to be published next month.

The current 22 euro cent tax on every single-use carrier distributed would double to 44 cents, around 40p, under the proposals.

Comment: It’s great to see the Irish government taking initiatives to reduce POS use of plastic bags, but I still believe  that targeting plastic bags is a political stunt that takes everyone’s eyes off the ‘bigger picture’. There are ‘bigger fish to fry’ such as the 30% food waste generated every day by most households, which used huge amounts of energy and resource to grow it, farm it, transport it, package it, take it home, store it in the fridge – only to be thrown away – let’s get a sense of perspective here! Chris Penfold

Read the full article here: http://tinyurl.com/ydpcrrn

Simeon Goldstein, packagingnews.co.uk, 25 September 2009

Six UK DIY retailers and brands have signed up to a Courtauld-style voluntary agreement to reduce packaging and waste to landfill.

Argos, B&Q, Focus, Henkel, Homebase and Wickes have agreed to achieve a 15% packaging reduction and halve waste to landfill by the end of 2012

Read the full article here: DIY sector gets its own ‘Courtauld’ commitment | packagingnews.co.uk.

Another example of the own brands moving into territory more usually associated with the big name brands.  I wonder who is footing the bill – the manufacturer or the consumer?

Jill Park, packagingnews.co.uk, 21 September 2009

Asda has followed in the footsteps of Cathedral City and moved its own-brand cheese into resealable packaging.

to read more just follow the link http://bit.ly/15a1qy

I’m not sure about this one, I suppose it depends on what shade of colour recycled mixed glass would give.  I mean a jar of white mayo could look a little unappetising in a light shade of greeny/brown.  Until the bottles/jars arrived how would you know if your design will work with it.  See what you think.

By Mike Stones, 11-Sep-2009  www.foodproductiondaily.com

Retailer demand for recycled glass could rocket after new UK research commissioned by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

The study, conducted in partnership with Sainbury’s, found that consumers are just as likely to buy products in jars and bottles made from mixed colour recycled glass as they are to buy items in clear glass packaging.

via New research promises breakthrough for recycled glass.

Jill Park, packagingnews.co.uk, 18 August 2009

Tesco milk packs are to feature a carbon label as the retailer moves closer to its target of footprinting 500 products by the end of the year.

via Tesco carbon footprints milk | packagingnews.co.uk.

Jill Park, packagingnews.co.uk, 17 August 2009

Diageo has entered into a legal battle with Sainsbury’s over alleged copyright infringement of its Pimm’s brand.  The legal action will determine whether Sainsbury’s new gin-based drink Pitchers, which it encourages customers to drink with fruit and lemonade, is a copy of Diageo’s Pimm’s.

It will be interesting to see how this claim proceeds, the packs are ’similar’ but not as close as others I’ve seen.  Check out the pictures here and see the full article. http://bit.ly/18FLF4

Plastic takes on vintage glass; More winemakers adopt cheaper, lighter bottles for lower-cost offerings

By Jerry Hirsch, TRIBUNE NEWSPAPERS — Chicago Tribune, August 11, 2009 Tuesday Chicagoland Final Edition – News from LexisNexis via www.packagingdigest.com

Plastic containers already are commonly used for 187-milliliter single-serving wine bottles sold on commercial airlines and available at many supermarkets. But cost pressures are expected to accelerate the trend toward alternative materials in the packaging ofwine & spirits.

So how about a bottle of the ‘02 Chateau Plastique? The ubiquitous 750-milliliter glass wine bottle is starting to get competition from a plastic upstart.

The bottles carry a “use by” date — plastic doesn’t provide quite the same seal as glass — and as such aren’t likely to find their way into the cellars of serious wine enthusiasts.

For those who aren’t as picky, however, the wine is likely to cost less. And oenophiles say that for wine that hasn’t, er, expired, the taste will be the same.

Personally, I think that this will probably catch on quite quickly at the bottom-end of the market, where wine is getting consumed within days/weeks/months of manufacture and is already sold in a ‘bag-in-box format successfully. However,  at the top-end, where wine is traditionally ‘laid-down’ to improve quality & value, I don’t think that it will happen. Aside from the long-term barrier properties, the weight & ‘feel’ of a glass bottle have a much higher quality & value perception, with which plastic has always found it difficult to compete. Chris Penfold

Read the whole article here: Plastic takes on vintage glass; More winemakers adopt cheaper, lighter bottles for lower-cost offerings – August 11, 2009 Tuesday – Packaging Digest.

Simeon Goldstein, packagingnews.co.uk, 04 August 2009

Tesco has hit back at The Times newspaper’s criticism of its efforts to use less carrier bags, a day after it revealed it had stopped sending waste to landfill.

via Tesco defends carrier bag reduction figures | packagingnews.co.uk.