Consumer habits have changed
Consumer habits have changed during the Covid–19 pandemic—perhaps for the long-term. Many Australians and their families are working from home more than before and finding new ways to snack and prepare meals. Most Australians can now venture out again to their favourite restaurants, but there’s no doubt that many consumers have found enjoyment, satisfaction and (hopefully) more healthiness from food consumed at home.
As a result of the stay-at-home directions, consumers have dramatically increased their digital engagement with regards to online grocery shopping. This means companies have had to take a look at traditional packaging and rethink the materials and design to cater for e-commerce and the hygiene factors associated.
There has been significantly more demand for retail food and beverage products over foodservice and institutional products. This trend seems likely to remain over the short to medium term with Covid–19 being the defining factor.
As a result, it’s driving an increase in demand for retail packaging, which has significantly different aesthetic and performance requirements. This will translate to continued significant growth in pouches and other flexible packaging formats to drive shelf and online appeal, to attract new customers.
Sustainability has changed
Sustainability is a key issue but there is also a growing tendency to look at a product’s entire lifecycle. People are making their purchase habits based on the recyclability of packaging. They are not only questioning a products recyclability, but the chances of the product actually being recycled. This is seeing more robust thought applied to business models, logistics and incentives to drive change towards ensuring a product is recycled.
These trends, and others, are accelerating because of these unprecedented times. Modern packaging must now address online, sustainability, and hygiene, while still delivering the essentials: performance, convenience and cost.
