The short answer to the question is: flexible packaging is very popular. In the last ten years, flexible packaging - stand up or flat bags, made of different materials from recyclable plastic to paper - has in fact become increasingly popular, known and used.
Companies are increasingly choosing flexible packaging to package and show their products on the market, while consumers also buy products thinking about the type of packaging and how it fits their lifestyle and values.
The popularity of flexible packaging is not only a “perception”: the production of flexible packaging in the world has grown by 3.3% since 2016, growth estimates up to 2026 are 3.4% per year.
Today let's have a look at these numbers in more detail and tell - studies in hand - how much consumers and companies appreciate flexible packaging, and why.
71% of consumers choose flexible packaging
Several studies over the years have considered the degree of consumer satisfaction with flexible packaging. One of the most comprehensive is certainly the consumer study published by the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) and referring to data collected by Harris Poll in 2016.
In this study, the consumers interviewed were faced with the choice of the same product, packaged with traditional packaging and with flexible packaging. About 71% chose flexible packaging (about 81% in the age group between 35 and 44 years).
The same study also shows that 79% of consumers surveyed believe that there are particular benefits in flexible food packaging and that the sample would spend about 10% more on a product packaged in a flexible bag.
Image: Flexible Packaging Transition Advantages - Consumer Study
Attention to sustainability
These data should definitely be integrated and read considering the latest surveys that show how important the sustainability of packaging in their purchases is today for consumers.
Image: Flexible Packaging Transition Advantages - Consumer Study
If we focus on Italian consumers, for example, a recent study by Nomisma on Packaging for Large Consumption (2021) tells us that 65% of Italians will prefer - in the next 12 months - products with little packaging; 59% will purchase products with sustainable packaging [here we told you how sustainable flexible packaging is] and, on the other hand, 57% will reduce the purchase of those with non-recycled virgin plastic packaging.
Why do consumers like flexible packaging?
Let's go back to the study published by the FPA and look at other interesting details: the survey, for example, tells us why consumers choose flexible packaging. Here is a list of reasons listed by the respondents, the top three places are occupied by great advantages of flexible envelopes:
- Because it is possible to reseal the package (47%)
- Because it is easy to store (44%)
- Because it is easy to open (35%)
Image: Flexible Packaging Transition Advantages - Consumer Study
According to market research by Smithers (2018), consumer habits could lead to even greater popularity of flexible packaging, especially for food products. For example, a greater demand for fresh fruit and vegetables, natural and organic products, and at the same time the increasingly widespread urban lifestyles all represent needs to which flexible packaging responds very well. In fact, flexible bags offer an excellent solution for fresh products, but packaged in a practical way - even in single portions - easy to open, close and with a extended storage.
Companies like flexible packaging too
As we have seen, consumers appreciate flexible packaging, now let's have a look what companies think when they choose the right packaging for their products on the market.
Also in this case, a study commissioned by FPA on the value of flexible packaging for brands offers useful information. To better quantify the impact of technologies related to flexible packaging, the study in 2015 investigated the opinion of over 2000 consumers and 300 companies.
The type of packaging chosen influences the value of the brand, this is clear to 80% of those interviewed among the corporate CEOs. Similarly, this value is also perceived by the public: 81% of consumers notice when a brand changes its packaging.
The interesting fact is that 97% of the companies that have chosen flexible packaging - in the sample interviewed - say that in the next 5 years they will continue to use it for their products.
The reasons why companies like flexible packaging are the reduction of production costs (49%), transport efficiency (45%), convenience for consumers (45%) and the opportunity to adapt to their lifestyles (39%), a reduced environmental impact (31%).
Image: FPA Brand Value Study
Finally, after switching to flexible packaging, what improvements have companies noticed?
A lowering of production and transport costs, but also an increase in sales (39%) and better competitiveness on the market (37%).
Image: FPA Brand Value Study
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