Packaging is critical to shaping consumer perception. As is often said, you only get one chance to make a first impression.
However, despite its importance, many retailers still rely on outdated methods to manage their packaging workflows.
According to Gino Van Ossel, professor of Retail Management at Vlerick Business School, “Private labels have evolved into private brands. Artwork is getting more attention, because retailers have stopped merely copying the leading manufacturer brands. Instead, they create their own private brand identity.”
As a result, the need for packaging redesigns becomes more and more frequent as umbrella private brands are substituted or complemented by specialty brands.
The demand for more sustainable packaging solutions is another driver of more frequent redesigns.
Furthermore, interviews with industry-leading retailers reveal that some continue to manage artwork and packaging using spreadsheets and other manual processes—a surprising reality in an era demanding agility and visibility.
These inefficiencies not only slow down production but also hinder sustainability efforts.
Retailers who prioritize eco-consciousness can no longer justify using manual workflows that generate waste, consume excessive time, and increase the likelihood of errors.
Fortunately, there is a better way.
Digitizing Packaging Workflows: The Key to Retailers’ Success
Van Ossel reiterates the importance of packaging private brands, stating, “While CPG brands invest more in conventional advertising, retailers and their private brands need to rely almost entirely on their packaging to get the private brand message across.”
This results in increasing complexity, the risk of mistakes, and increasing costs.
To keep pace with growing private label demands and align with sustainability goals, retailers must embrace digital transformation in their packaging workflows.
Read on to see how this is done using artwork management solutions.
Let’s break it down.
1 – Manage Supply Complexities with Tight Deadlines
Meeting tight deadlines while managing product supply complexities is a constant challenge. Retailers must coordinate with manufacturers to ensure finished goods are delivered on time, juggling changing requirements, compliance needs, and packaging approvals.
Data-Driven Collaboration Across the Value Chain
Packaging development involves coordination with diverse stakeholders, including internal teams, suppliers, and creative agencies. Digital platforms eliminate silos, creating a unified space where all parties can collaborate efficiently.
Integration with Partners
Retailers need to share data with international partner organizations or printers to produce their products. This requires integrated workflows with third parties to avoid disjointed experiences and inefficiencies.
