Here are five ways the largest and most influential generation in history is demanding innovation that is changing the way brands approach their packaging.

Millennials have surpassed baby boomers to become the largest generation in U.S. history. According to the recent Mintel report Marketing to Millennials, close to 79 million or nearly 25% of the U.S. population are 21 to 39 year olds. As a result, the Millennial generation has a significant influence on the decisions made by consumer goods manufacturers.

Not only are Millennials a driving force behind a changing product mix, but their purchase decisions are prompting manufacturers to differentiate their brands with creative and unique packaging. Of course, these demands place significant challenges on brand owners as they work to stay ahead of a curve, beset by a generation attuned to instant gratification.

1. To be honest, what does this brand say about me?

Millennials feel a personal connection to their preferred brands. According to Boston Consulting Group (BCG), half of the U.S. Millennials ages 18 to 24 and 38% of those ages 25 to 34 agreed that brands “say something about who I am, my values and where I fit in.”

Millennials are constantly seeking the latest and greatest products that strike a chord with them, whether it is a passion for a hobby, a commitment to wellness or a sustainability promise. In short, Millennials are more likely to purchase a product if it makes them feel special either through this personal connection or the idea of exclusivity.

According to the Mintel report, “limited-time-only rollout of personalized packaging has the ability to create unique connections with consumers who might be mulling a purchase.” Limiting the availability of a product creates a unique purchase experience in which brands effectively satisfy the pronounced desire of Millennials to have the latest, greatest and most exclusive products. As noted in the Mintel report, “nearly one quarter (24%) of consumers like packaging that has an appealing design [dedicated to a] limited edition, seasonal or special release.”

These ideals shape the ways in which manufacturers determine which products go to market and how, as evidenced in Millennial Mix: Premium Store Brands for Today's Consumers from the October 2015 Supermarket News report.  “Millennial shoppers, with their unprecedented blend of purchase habits, have prompted select supermarkets to expand their store brand lines to include more upscale, one-of-a-kind goods geared toward 20- and 30-somethings,” the report claims.

2. Don’t be basic: Customize

According to Supermarket News, “Specialty products, like those making non-GMO [genetically modified organisms], all natural, organic or gluten free claims, are particularly popular with Millennials. But quality ingredients aren't always enough to woo these shoppers. When it comes to this generation, what's on the outside also counts.”

While consumer demands constantly evolve, Millennials gravitate toward customized packaging. The idea of customized packaging includes features that expand consumer engagement with the product and brand. Mintel notes that customization is becoming an expectation in packaging, and not an extravagance, stating that the trend “has come about because consumers want to have some sort of input into what they buy across nearly every industry and every part of the world.”

For example, Oreo, one of the biggest cookie brands in the United States, rolled out its “Color filled” feature in November 2015. Color-filled allows consumers to personalize their cookie packaging by selecting a design theme, color graphics and their own personalized message through the product website. The goal behind this initiative is to expand Oreo’s e-commerce market to $1 billion by 2020. By using features that appeal to the specific demands of an entire consumer generation, the company aims to leverage Millennial-geared trends to grow business online.

The report also notes “customizable packaging has been a popular tool to help brands stand out in the growing alcoholic beverages market.”

3. Affordability for the whole squad

Although Millennial consumers are collectively spending about $600 billion per year, according to Oliver Russell Marketing, economic factors play a major role in determining what products they are willing to buy.  While price-consciousness is an integral part of the decision making process, Millennials are willing to pay more for high-quality products, which is a departure from the buying habits of Baby Boomers. Rising demand among Millennials for organic, gluten-free, non-GMO and natural products are also steering these shoppers to higher-end brands. Mintel reports that many Millennials continue to live with their parents, but still seek high-quality, reliable products that speak to their goals for socio-economic status.

4. Branding is valued before anything else (BAE)

For consumer packaged goods companies (CPGs), simply owning a powerhouse brand name does not seem to be enough to capture Millennial interest and loyalty. In fact, Millennials have proved to be receptive to high-end private label branding as retailers experiment with new lines of affordable but high-quality products that are packaged like private or exclusive brands.

For example, Kroger, a Cincinnati-based retail food chain spanning 2,000 locations in 33 states, launched a line of authentic Italian products under its new HemisFares label. After examining the purchasing patterns of Millennial shoppers, Kroger designed the packaging of its HemisFares line of 27 products with a premium imported look and features a tagline of “A Journey of Epicurean Proportions.”

5. Branding in the #DigitalAge

Social media proficiency is essential when attempting to capture a Millennial audience. For brand owners, social media tools provide avenues to connect with and engage consumers—even when the engagement is in response to negative feedback on products and services. Meanwhile, consumers may find social media channels to be convenient ways of communicating to and about brands.

Packaging that includes quick-response (QR) codes right on the label gives consumers immediate access to a community that is also participating and purchasing the same products as they are. The digital age has also allowed brands to connect directly with consumers who participate in social media campaigns via hashtags (#) and QR codes. These features are being placed directly on packaging to engage consumers and also offer an outlet for consumers to give feedback directly to brands. According to Mintel, Millennials have taken social media and have made it a sphere in which companies can interact directly with their consumers. The companies that are participating in these types of social media activities are more likely to attract the Millennial consumer.

Staying ahead of the Millennial curve

The ever-evolving consumer demands are making it harder and harder for brands to keep up with the latest trends in packaging. Millennials, a generation that demands more from the brands they purchase, are setting the precedent when it comes to the most innovative products and packaging. By understanding their influence—and applying the right packaging solutions—companies can better keep up with the pace of change.

Briana Long is trade show marketing manager at PMMI, The Assn. of Packaging and Processing Technologies. PMMI represents the voice of more than 700 North American manufacturers of equipment, components and materials for processing and packaging. It is also owner of the world class PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows. PACK EXPO International 2016 will showcase the latest trends and solutions that allow brand owners and manufactures to meet Millennial demands.

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