Packaging is one of the most important parts of manufacturing and selling products. Whether you are operating in the food industry or the technology sector, it’s vital that you use packaging that is practical and aesthetically pleasing for the buyer. When products are laid out on shelves, they need to grab the attention of shoppers with good packaging that is high quality and includes all of the essential information about the product. It also must provide suitable protection for the products to avoid unnecessary returns and customer dissatisfaction.
Packaging design is something that is often overlooked by businesses that are trying to improve their marketing and grow their business. Here’s why it’s so important to look at your competitor’s packaging and focus on improving yours.
Increasing sales
Research has shown that there are several subconscious triggers which can impact the opinion of consumers when they see product packaging. Everything from colour and design to the shape and material of packaging can have an effect on sales figures. Looking at competitors packaging can help you identify specific traits that are successful, particularly if the competitor is closing a lot of sales. This is partially relevant if your products are being displayed in their packaging on the shelves of a shop.
Staying up to date
In order to stay competitive in any industry, it’s important to keep up to date with current trends and monitor your competitor’s activities. Companies are always looking for new techniques and materials that can put their brand ahead of others so it’s a good idea to look out for popular innovations that are improving sales.
Getting inspired
One of the biggest advantages of looking at the packaging of your competitors is that it gives you a chance to pinpoint areas in which they are successful and draw inspiration from their designs. It’s important not to copy the designs but it’s good to see what works and put your brand’s own touch on them. There are always new innovations and packaging design trends popping up so keep an ear to the ground and look for new ideas that could inspire your latest line of packaging.
Recognising mistakes
In addition to looking for things that work well, you also get the opportunity to identify packaging designs that don’t work. It can help to regularly inspect competitor packaging so you can test it out and look for ways to innovate and improve the idea. This can be very insightful when it comes to development and will reduce the risk of making mistakes during the design process of your own packaging material.
