PACKAGING TRENDS FOR 2023
Brian Paul | Ground Up Coffee & Tea | 6 Minutes

At Ground Up we provide both bulk and retail-ready packaged coffee and tea products on a private label basis.  We work with our customers to develop innovative products that help them compete in the food and beverage industry.  While the right formulation, flavor, or functional ingredient is essential, meeting consumer packaging expectations is key to product success.  As such, we’re constantly monitoring consumer preferences and expectations for packaging of coffee and tea beverages to guide our customers.  Below are the key trends for packaging we’re seeing across the market.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a driving force across the food & beverage industry.  It's more requirement than a trend.  As such, alone, it is not a brand differentiator.  Consumers are increasingly more educated on the impact packaging has on the environment and are willing to spend more to ensure they have convenient, shelf-stable options that are eco-friendly.  They’ve moved beyond recyclable options and demand bio-degradable and compostable materials that are renewable and have a positive impact on the environment.

Convenience

Single-serve and Ready-to-Drink options remain immensely popular.  What will drive growth for these formats is its connection to sustainability.  True innovation projects to be the use of fully compostable, renewable materials that do not sacrifice shelf-stability.  Beyond that, we’re keeping an eye on packaging that dissolves or is safe for human consumption.

Smart

Packaging can provide more than just oxygen and moisture barriers.  It presents an opportunity for your product and your brand to engage with customers.  The ability to provide more details about your product, share stories about your product’s origin or production, or potentially monitor moisture and oxygen transfer rates – as a measure of freshness – are ways to deliver further value to the consumer and create brand loyalty.

Personalized

Consumers have a growing desire for products that uniquely connect to their individual preferences.  Take smart packaging a step further by allowing your consumers to tailor your packaging to their preferences.  This certainly can be for materials and designs, but extends into their preferred digital environments where consumers can connect more deeply with your brand.

Healthy

The majority of consumers are willing to spend more on products that provide health & wellness benefits.  This explains the meteoric rise in functional beverages across all categories.  It’s essential to use your packaging to highlight the health benefits of your products.  Be advised, consumers are more and more educated in this area, so conducting thorough research and backing up claims is vital to the success of your products.

Trustworthy

With an interest in clean and simple ingredients comes a consumer desire to preview the actual products they're buying.  The use of clear windows and jars which offer that peak of what is inside, allows consumers to see the actual color, texture, and other visual elements of your products.   This creates an opportunity for your brand to stand out by proving itself at the point of sale.