The multiples have instigated a fresh push on retail-ready packaging as they look to mitigate soaring costs and meet sustainability targets.
All the major supermarkets are exploring the issue, primarily on own-label lines, said John Weedon, MD of own-label packaging specialist i2i europe.
Retail-ready packaging became popular about four years ago as a way of improving availability, but supermarkets are now seeking to increase the control they have over own-label packaging in a bid to drive margin and counter soaring paper and card prices.
The cost of cardboard has increased by 30% over the past year and, with further hikes expected, supermarkets are working with own-label suppliers to drive cost efficiencies.
"While retail-ready packaging has been around for some time, all the grocers have launched new campaigns to drive deeper compliance, based in a significant way on reducing costs," said Weedon.
He added that one example of this would be a retailer suggesting its egg suppliers work together to develop packaging collaborating on the design, construction and delivery as a way of reducing the cost to the suppliers and, consequently, to the retailer.
"This activity is being accelerated by the inflation in cardboard prices," added Weedon.
Initiatives such as the relaunch of Asda's standard own-label offer under the Chosen by You banner, and Sainsbury's Taste the Difference revamp, have been used to increase the volume of retail-ready packaging in-store, he added.
"Retailers are increasingly seeing packaging as an extension of their own-label brand and recognise that the experience of the consumer is enhanced or detracted by the performance and the feel of a retail-ready pack," said Weedon
Complete control of the supply chain was coming as retailers sought to lower cost and secure supply in own label, suggested Mark Shayler, MD of environmental and innovation consultancy Tickety Boo.
All the major supermarkets are exploring the issue, primarily on own-label lines, said John Weedon, MD of own-label packaging specialist i2i europe.
Retail-ready packaging became popular about four years ago as a way of improving availability, but supermarkets are now seeking to increase the control they have over own-label packaging in a bid to drive margin and counter soaring paper and card prices.
The cost of cardboard has increased by 30% over the past year and, with further hikes expected, supermarkets are working with own-label suppliers to drive cost efficiencies.
"While retail-ready packaging has been around for some time, all the grocers have launched new campaigns to drive deeper compliance, based in a significant way on reducing costs," said Weedon.
He added that one example of this would be a retailer suggesting its egg suppliers work together to develop packaging collaborating on the design, construction and delivery as a way of reducing the cost to the suppliers and, consequently, to the retailer.
"This activity is being accelerated by the inflation in cardboard prices," added Weedon.
Initiatives such as the relaunch of Asda's standard own-label offer under the Chosen by You banner, and Sainsbury's Taste the Difference revamp, have been used to increase the volume of retail-ready packaging in-store, he added.
"Retailers are increasingly seeing packaging as an extension of their own-label brand and recognise that the experience of the consumer is enhanced or detracted by the performance and the feel of a retail-ready pack," said Weedon
Complete control of the supply chain was coming as retailers sought to lower cost and secure supply in own label, suggested Mark Shayler, MD of environmental and innovation consultancy Tickety Boo.
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