Packing for snacking: why flexible packaging is vital for the modern consumer

20 June 2015



Packing for snacking: why flexible packaging is vital for the modern consumer


Packing for snacking: why flexible packaging is vital for the modern consumer

As the summer season approaches, consumers increasingly turn to different product sizes to suit their many needs. Alastair Isbister, Consumer VP, Consumer, Tradeteam & Ireland at DHL Supply Chain, considers the role that co-packers can play in ensuring manufacturers meet a plethora of retailer demands.

In modern society, consumers are used to getting exactly what they want. Single format products are no longer adequate and consumers expect retailers to offer a range of products to suit their lifestyle. Where a large packet of biscuits - that would last until the next weekly shop - was once the only option, consumers are now searching for products in varying formats to eat on the go, keep in the office or throw in their bag on a trip to the park. Co-packing experts, such as DHL Supply Chain, can work with manufacturers to meet these demands and adapt existing products for these new purposes.

Snacking, and snack sized packs, have grown in popularity over the past few years. Graze, the manufacturer of healthy snacking boxes, announced a 31% growth in sales in September 2014 . Many savoury biscuit manufacturers, such as Ritz crackers, are turning from larger boxes to miniature bags to appeal to the demands of the market.

At the end of 2014, research organisation Nielsen reported that globally consumers had spent $374 billion on snack foods annually between 2013-2014 . With continuous growth forecasted, snack packs are a key channel through which retailers can increase sales.

Manufacturers should therefore consider products that meet this demand. However, this change also leads to challenges; the most common being an increase in a manufacturer's offering without generating further complexities in the established supply chain.

Many manufacturers choose to partner with a contract packer at this point in the process to improve efficiencies and increase the flexibility of their products. Contract packers are able to take an existing product that may already be on sale in a certain format, for example a large bag of cookies, and convert this into a new, different, snack sized product. Manufacturers can maintain their original processes but at the final stage of production, can adapt the product to meet the demands of retailers, and ultimately consumers.

Across a variety of sectors, DHL Supply Chain has collaborated with customers to meet the demands of retailers and enhance their product portfolio. Understanding consumer needs through this journey is vital. Ensuring that processes are in place to adapt products efficiently, without compromising quality at the final stage of production, enables manufacturers to increase flexibility throughout their supply chain.

In today's market, competitiveness is key. Manufacturers must offer a full range of products at the right price. No longer will a 400g, film wrapped packet of biscuits suffice - instead retailers must provide smaller bags to grab from the aisles or purchase on impulse at the checkouts. Partnering with a co-packing expert, such as DHL Supply Chain, not only increases supply chain flexibility but enables competition with a wider range of products.

1 http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/finance/results/graze-boxes-up-31-sales-growth/372023.article
2 http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/press-room/2014/global-snack-food-sales-reach-374-billion-annually.html



Privacy Policy
We have updated our privacy policy. In the latest update it explains what cookies are and how we use them on our site. To learn more about cookies and their benefits, please view our privacy policy. Please be aware that parts of this site will not function correctly if you disable cookies. By continuing to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with our privacy policy unless you have disabled them.