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In 2017, more than 17,000 SKUs were sold in the beer category, making the beer aisle more challenging for retailers—and consumers. For instance, 49% of consumers said they were “relaxed” when shopping for beer, compared with 89% when shopping for wine.
Retail sales are directly tied to the experience you create for your customers. So, how can you make your product stand out from the rest?
With so many choices out there, how do you make your product stand out?
The key to getting your beer to stand out in a retail environment is to have creative packaging that represents your brand and speaks to shoppers.
When developing the packaging for your beer, it is important to consider the audience, the shipping process, industry trends, and how your product will be displayed. Working with a Packaging Manufacturer can be a great benefit to you and your brand.
Beer Packaging That Makes An Impact
It is important to consider the case or carton in which your product will be packaged. Several packaging options are based on your brand, beer, and target audience. How a product is packaged and presented to consumers plays a significant role in consumer sales.
Among the myriad of packaging options, a standout choice is the corrugated container. This option offers a unique set of benefits that make it a top contender. Its ability to handle heavy weights, recyclability, resilience to environmental changes, and the creative freedom it allows through easy printing all contribute to its appeal.
Once your product leaves the brewery, it is subject to various elements, such as temperature and humidity variances; therefore, it’s important that your packaging can withstand these elements.
A corrugated container will keep its integrity through tough environments.
By printing directly onto corrugate, brands can tell a story through the packaging and remain efficient.
Creating custom corrugated packaging is a great way to drive sales in retail stores and catch the eye of consumers. Here are some of the most popular packaging options.
Mother Carton
This provides a simple and safe way for bottles to be carried. This option can be generic or designed to be eye-catching.
Printing on such a standard carton allows maximum creative freedom and the heightened ability to tell a great story.
4-Pack
This is used for higher-value beers, craft brews, and high-ABV beers. A smaller pack keeps the price down and allows users to try the beer without the commitment of a six- or 12-pack.
These smaller packs can show the bottles or hide them completely, allowing printing to connect with the product directly and maximizing connectivity.
6-Pack
This is used for frontline volume beers. This popular package is comparable in price to the 4-Pack but offers more volume but slightly less quality.
Similar to the 4-pack, this packaging allows connectivity to the product and several printing options.
12-Pack
This is used for higher-volume products. It is offered when demand for a product is high enough, and consumers are looking to purchase in bulk.
As a larger packaging option, this allows for more surface space for imagery and a wider variety of printing options.
Mix / Variety Pack
This is most commonly offered in the 12-pack carrier. It allows a brewery to provide various products, typically seasonal or special-release products. With this option, it is important to make sure the printing helps the product appear special and highlights key product details.
One of the unique advantages of custom packaging is the ability to extend your branding from the bottles or cans to the outer carton. This not only reinforces your product's identity but also enhances its overall appeal.
Creating and sticking to a brand identity can help your product stand out and show consumers the thought behind the design.
Tell a story, choose stand-out colors, and provide eye-catching imagery. Your target audience is looking for these things to make their purchase.
Identify Your Target Audience
Displaying your product in a busy retail aisle includes considering the experience you want your audience to have.
Knowing your target customers and what they are looking for will make your beer's packaging stand out more productively.
Pinpointing your ideal audience is a strategic move that can significantly enhance the impact of your packaging on consumers. This understanding enables you to design packaging that resonates with your target market.
This article from Packing Digest talks about how target audiences are ever-changing and how to direct the message of your packaging in that direction. It is important to choose a specific audience so that you can narrow down ideas to connect directly with consumers.
The most successful products have packaging that is focused and direct.
Researching your target audience will help you develop concepts they will respond to. You can then use keywords and imagery to grab their attention.
For customers who prefer a fast-paced shopping experience, using terms like 'limited edition' or 'exclusive' creates a sense of urgency. On the other hand, terms like 'craft' and 'specialty' are more appealing to consumers who value the time spent on a product. Packaging plays a significant role in shaping these perceptions.
Consumers respond to packaging that feels personal and inspires them. It is important to create packaging that will connect with them. Researching trends, locations, and most popular beverage options can help direct consumers to your packaging. A custom corrugate display is a great way to reach your audience and drive sales by standing out.
Related: 7 Design Tips For Walmart Packaging.
Be Different
Your product is unique; make sure your packaging is, too. The brand should guide your product style and remain consistent throughout—from product and package to the website and beyond.
Once you have established your brand identity, see how you can incorporate fresh ideas to stand out on the shelf. How can you include elements in your design, and how can you differentiate between products?
According to Virginia Craft Beer, on average, consumers who buy Budweiser or Miller spend only 30 seconds in the beer aisle.
Understanding consumer behavior is key. They walk down the aisle and make their choice out of habit. Meanwhile, the average craft beer consumer spends 4½ minutes in the aisle. These customers are searching for something to stand out to them, and by understanding this, you can better position your product to capture their attention.
In this crucial period of exploration, your impactful packaging has the power to sway consumer decisions. Remember, customers shop with their eyes first, so ensure your product is not just appealing, but also stands out from the competition, giving your audience the confidence that they can make a significant impact.
According to Nielsen’s “Craft Beer Category Design Audit,” 70% of craft beer buyers decide which beer to purchase while on the shelf and often choose based on packaging.
How can you make sure your brand has a unique personality? Does that include humor or sophistication? If the ultimate goal is to sell your product, researching innovative ways to present it is key.
Standing out can be tough for a product in a busy aisle, but 85% of people that pick up a product will end up putting it in their cart.
Create A Custom Retail Display
Once your beer is packed in a custom-printed corrugate carton, ensure your product is presented appropriately in the retail space.
Get the most engagement possible and stand out from the competition with a custom corrugated display as unique as your product.
Just like the carton, corrugate is the ideal material for a temporary retail display. It's not just recyclable, it's a statement of your brand's commitment to sustainability, enhancing your brand storytelling.
Corrugate can accommodate the weight of the product at a lower price than more permanent materials.
Whether on a floor display or a shelf display, consumers are sure to notice your product, and ultimately, sales will increase.
Consistent branding, strong packaging, and an eye-catching display can appeal to your target consumers. A temporary display that complements your product packaging and helps your beverage stand out from the rest can leave a lasting impression.
Bennett Makes Custom Beer Packaging
Bennett is a premier packaging and retail displays manufacturing company striving to protect and promote our clients' products with customized corrugated solutions. We can be the single supplier source with our fully integrated design-to-delivery process.
We are an award-winning manufacturer of virtually anything corrugate. Our offerings range from plain brown shipping boxes to sophisticated, high-graphic printed point-of-purchase displays and everything in between.
