Our Packaging Design Predictions for 2024

We are witnessing epic changes in the product businesses as we approach 2024. 

Over the last year, people’s shopping habits have changed because of rising prices due to inflation and supply chain disruptions. With the cost of products increasing in almost every category, everyone is far more selective about where they spend their hard-earned dollars. So even though overall spending is up, the rate at which we’re purchasing is slowing down, according to Forrester’s 2023 Consumer Spending report.

As you can imagine, this has made the product landscape even more competitive, with more products vying for more limited customer dollars. This means customers will need more from your product and brand to choose your product and bring it into their homes. 

If you’ve been worried about how the economy will impact your product-based business, you will love this post. I’m sharing the four trends in packaging design that will drive sales this year.

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Bring the Value

As humans, we are wired to be competitive and are always looking to come out on top. For many people, that means being on the winning end of a great deal when shopping. Delivering value to consumers will meet their concerns head-on and positively impact consumer product businesses. 

So, how can you make shoppers feel like they are getting a great deal when they are paying more than before? Well, by offering them more, of course! 

Play up the features and benefits customers have requested and are perceived as more expensive. Think about it: what can your product do better than a more expensive alternative? Talk about that on your packaging. 

Consumers are increasingly seeking products with life-improving features and are willing to pay for high-quality yet affordable products. This is why many people still flock to the Grommet weekly to see what new, innovative products have been launched.

Sustainability is Still Important

People are becoming increasingly conscious of the impact of their choices on the environment, so sustainability has become a key consideration for many shoppers who want to feel that they are making a difference. It’s so important, in fact, that 60% of shoppers report they’d pay more for a product with sustainable packaging, based on a study by McKinsey. 

The next wave in sustainability will be about reducing waste at the end of use for your packaging and products. This means communicating how customers can recycle or reuse your packaging. 

You’ve probably seen a lot of big-name brands using the How2Recycle symbols on their packaging. But you don’t need to pay for the How2Recycle membership to educate your customers about reusing or recycling your product packaging. Just add a short statement to the back or bottom of the pack, letting customers know how to reuse or recycle.

Providing packaging with a dual purpose, like storing the product, is a great place to start. Plus, it has the bonus of adding value. We love the SleepyTie packaging that doubles as a storage and travel case.

More brands are starting to offer refillable packaging to reduce the environmental footprint of consumable items like skincare, household cleaners, and candles. Just make sure the refill packaging is recyclable in most communities. 

If offering refills for customers to purchase doesn’t work for your supply chain, consider adding a recycling program where customers can ship you their used packaging. You can even sweeten the deal by sharing a discount for every package returned. You can then clean and reuse the packaging for new orders. 

Add Joy

It’s silly to think I should even be writing this, but when we feel like everything is uncertain and challenging, the best way to counter that is with joy! And your packaging is the perfect opportunity to infuse joy into any product experience.

Adding fun and playful elements to packaging designs can help establish a deeper connection with customers. A popular approach is to use bold, eye-catching colors that pop and draw attention. Combining complementary colors in exciting and unexpected ways can make packaging more visually appealing and engaging. 

Nostalgic illustrations of mascots or characters can add a sense of personality and playfulness to the overall design. By combining these elements, brands can create packaging that not only stands out on store shelves but also helps to brighten shoppers’ day and enhance their recognition and memorability.

Whimsical, scenic illustrations can be used on packaging to evoke emotion or echo an experience. This approach can be particularly effective in categories like cosmetics, skincare, and food, where packaging design needs to engage customers’ imagination to make the sale.

Key Takeaways

You can make the most progress in packaging design when you pick a few strategies, take them for a spin, and see how they work for you. And if one idea isn’t a good fit, you’re better off finding one that fits your brand’s personality and values better. 

There are so many ways to design packaging that sells your products, and I hope this post has given you some new ideas to try in your business this year.

Is there a main takeaway that was especially eye-opening for you? Let me know over on Instagram. I would love to hear from you!

Here at Hidden Path Creative, we’re all about supporting product businesses with standout packaging design and growing their recognition and sales.

Want to know more about how packaging can help your business? Reach out here with any questions or comments.

Don’t forget to download your free Ultimate Packaging Checklist.