Mary Ann Falkman, Editor-in-chief -- Packaging Digest, 1/1/2008 2:00:00 AM
As the retail food scene changes over time, package design needs to evolve, too, to take advantage of new opportunities. The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) recently polled its members—retail grocers and supermarket managers—on what they predict for 2008. The results appeared in early December in a SmartBrief Special Report.
Food safety will remain a significant issue for consumers, the entire food industry and government, the report notes. Industry initiatives should make food recalls faster and more efficient. Congress will be asked to pass laws addressing food safety, and lawmakers will consider measures to combat organized retail crime. Discussions will likely continue about food from cloned animals.
While the FMI members ranked food safety as the issue that had the greatest impact on their company during 2007, more than 40 percent of them voted organic foods as the issue that will grow in importance in 2008. Also mentioned are private-label brands, prepared foods, in-store marketing and niche marketing.
Food safety emerges again, however, as the dominant legislative issue the industry will face during this year. Seventy percent of FMI survey respondents voted for that topic, but another 20 percent cited country-of-origin labeling. Organized retail crime came in very low on the list.
Grocers were also asked what new features they are likely to introduce this year. An in-store nutritionist and nutrition counseling came in highest, at 30 percent. Also mentioned are on-premises medical clinics, sit-down cafes or restaurants, cooking classes and online shopping capabilities. Niche marketing is also growing, with emphasis on ethnic, organic, nutritious and gourmet foods. All of these trends leave plenty of room for package designers to tap into consumer appeal and demand.
Teledyne DALSA is a world leader in the design, manufacture and deployment of digital imaging components for the machine vision market. Teledyne DALSA image sensors, cameras, smart cameras, frame grabbers, software, and vision solutions are used...
more
SATO is a pioneer and leading global provider of integrated Automatic Identification and Data Collection solutions that leverage barcode and RFID technologies. SATO manufactures innovative, reliable auto-identification systems and offers complete...
more
ECONOCORP, INC. is a leading worldwide manufacturer of ECONOSEAL cartoning, trayforming, and casepacking caters to moderate volume users and features simplicity in design, operation, and maintenance. ECONOSEALS handle paperboard and corrugated...
more
QuickLabel Systems makes and sells digital color label printers and barcode label printers for use by manufacturers of foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and more...
more
Bosch Packaging Technology, Inc. is one of the world's leading suppliers of packaging machinery. Our diverse portfolio of packaging machines, including the well known Doboy brand, includes robotic automation with pick & place robots (delta robots)...
more
Hitachi America Ltd., Industrial Components & Equipment Division, supplies a broad range of industrial products and services. The division supplies sophisticated industrial equipment, components and services for application in pharmaceutical...
more
Markem-Imaje is a trusted world manufacturer of product identification and traceability solutions, offering a full line of reliable and innovative inkjet, thermal transfer, laser, print and apply label systems and RFID-based systems. Markem-Imaje...
more
Videojet is a world-leading manufacturer of marking systems, fluids, and accessories for the product identification industry. Videojet printers apply high-quality alphanumeric codes, logos and graphics to nearly any surface at virtually any line...
more
Fogg is a world leader in the design and manufacture of rotary filling, rinsing, capping and enclosure systems for free flowing and viscous liquids. Fogg serves a growing number of dairy, spirits, water, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and...
more
Markem-Imaje is a trusted world manufacturer of product identification and traceability solutions, offering a full line of reliable and innovative inkjet, thermal transfer, laser, print and apply label systems and RFID-based systems. Markem-Imaje...
more
Microscan develops barcode and machine vision products that help manufacturers reduce costs, increase yields, improve product quality, and comply with regulations. Designed for precision applications, Microscan's line of 1D and 2D barcode readers...
more
National Bulk Equipment dry material handling systems for packaging and processing operations, include: bulk bag fillers, bulk bag unloaders, bulk container dumpers, bulk container fillers, and bulk mixing, weighing, and conveyance systems. NBE...
more
Plastic Ingenuity is the national leader in providing the best solutions in thermoformed packaging, tooling and extrusion services. A member of the Thermoforming Institute, and a multi-plant manufacturing operation with facilities across North...
more
Thermo Scientific Product Inspection and Processing equipment protects your brands by ensuring the quality, accuracy, efficiency and safety of your products. With more than 50 years of making sure little things don't turn into big problems, we know...
more
DOMINO is one of the world's largest manufacturers of digital printing solutions and is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange. Our products are used for date coding, product marking, serialization and variable printing. Among our customers...
more