As more category disrupters adopt flexible packaging, we ask are there any benefits for cereal brands to leave the trusty carton behind and make the switch? Our team take a closer look…
Waste
‘Bag in the box’ packaging is still the principal packaging format for cereals. Many of the big brands have only trialled pouches and flat bottom bags for limited edition runs and experimental range extensions. Traditional bag in the box packaging requires 2 components. Cutting these down to just one flexible pouch can instantly reduce costs and waste materials.
Reduced packaging material also has a ripple effect on the supply chain, with less space needed to store and transport the product, improving total supply chain efficiencies. Brands may even want to pass these savings onto consumers, making their price points more competitive.
Reseal Features
No one likes opening the kitchen cupboard to find their favourite cereal has gone stale. The typical ‘bag in the box’ format used in cereal packaging design is likely to be a low-cost plastic bag that relies on the consumer making the bag airtight to keep the contents fresh.
More brands are noting the added value in reseal features available with flexible bags and pouches, designed specifically to preserve shelf life and product freshness. For perishable food items such as cereal, this is becoming a necessity.
Convenience
The ultimate demand from today’s consumer. The need for portability, easy open and reseal features all come down to our ‘on the go’ lifestyles. Packaging now needs to think smarter to appeal to the mass ‘millennial’ market.
In one study undertaken by ABC Packaging and Cint more than 83% of those surveyed chose the stand-up bag over the cardboard box. A staggering 76% of respondents also stated they’d be very willing to try a new cereal if it was packaged in a flexible bag rather than a cardboard box…. powerful reading.
Protection
It’s a question we are asked by many brands looking to make the switch to flexible packaging. Can pouches really protect my product? Flexible flat bottom bags and pouches may look deceivingly delicate but they have been manufactured with multilayer barrier films laminated together to create an extremely durable material.
Opportunity Knocks
Recent news has highlighted the need for sugar content to be more visible on cereal packaging. Many healthy high-end cereal brands have been under scrutiny for failing to publicise the sugar content clearly on the packaging. With some choosing to display the nutritional information on the back of the pack and even forgoing the traffic light system now widely recommended by the Department of Health.
With cereal brands facing mounting pressures to re-evaluate packaging, it may be time to look to more sustainable, profitable changes to packaging formats too. All can be achieved with moving to pouches and flat bottom bags.
Still not convinced? Take a look at our blog on some of the key benefits of the stand-up pouch and why it could make sense for your business!
Ready to make the switch? Contact our team today
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