The pet food industry has grown beyond anyone's imagination.
Who would have thought even ten years ago that our pets would have meal options that include choice cuts of protein, gravies and meal enhancers, and freeze-dried ingredients? The modern pet food market is truly a product of sweeping industry trends toward humanization of our furry friends and premiumization of their food and treats.
As pets increasingly become integral parts of our families, we regard them as individuals with distinct preferences and personalities. It only follows that today's pet food and treat packaging indulge and appeal to all five senses, both for pets and their parents.
1. SIGHT: Hi-def graphics and stand up pouch
This is usually the first of the five senses that interacts with a product, whether we are conscious of it or not. As shelves in the pet food and treats aisle become increasingly crowded, brands are innovating with unique package colors and premium imaging that will set them apart and capture a hurried, distracted consumer's attention.
2. TOUCH: Matte finishes and max convenience
Everyone remembers the large bulk bags of kibble that dominated pet food past. They were usually comprised of multi-walled paper packaging and not especially remarkable (if not unpleasant) to touch.
Today, pet food and treat producers are experimenting with different tactile experiences like satin soft-touch and matte finish packaging. Especially popular are matte packaging variants like registered matte finish, meaning only portions of the package are matte to direct consumer attention and create tactile contrasts.
3. SOUND: Less is more
Revisiting the memory of the large paper pouch of kibble: Crinkly paper packaging along with the rough sound of dry pet food being dispensed conveyed feelings of dryness and budget-pricing. Today's specialty and gour-met pet foods are looking to convey a very different message of freshness, premium and gour-met formulas, and nutritionally sound ingredients.
4. TASTE: Modified atmosphere packaging technologies extend freshness
Some of today's specialty and gour-met pet food companies brag that their products are good enough for humans to eat! While we are certainly not encouraging that, this point reflects the humanization and premiumization trends that are driving the pet food industry.
5. SMELL: Satisfying scents for people and pets
Today's pet food and treat companies are looking to humanize the smell of their food to be more pleasing to pet owners. With product formulas focusing on whole, fresh foods, the scent of pet food has become less pungent and more appealing to humans without losing its innate appeal to animals.
Pet foods and treats are no longer something consumers buy on price point and brand loyalty alone. For modern pet food producers, differentiating from the competition is paramount!
If you are in need of a packaging solution for your pet food and treat, we can partner with you to streamline your packaging.
Click the below link and connect with BPS that offers a variety of packaging solutions:
Let’s make your product stand out in any shelf!
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Source: YIKING MASEK
Blog Editor: Jasmine Zhang
Contact BPS Team: inquiry@bestpackagesolutions.net