With the continuous deepening of the diversified food market, food packaging technology has attracted the attention of manufacturers and has also become one of the fast-growing industries. Last year, “vertical bags” were popular in the market with their unique packaging form, becoming one of the fastest-growing packaging types. For loose candies, “vertical bags” can once again promote the rapid development of the candy industry.
Looking back at a candy packaging exhibition in Germany recently, Baer said, “There are many new forms of packaging, and one of my findings is the resealable vertical flexible packaging. Wherever you go, from convenience stores to pharmacies to warehouse style stores, this is a big trend for retail candy shelves. These vertical packaging bags can be seen everywhere.”
In addition to providing high impact billboards on shelves, resealable bags also make it easier for consumers to share and store multi-purpose candy products. This form is particularly suitable for packaging candies in one bite, and this type of product is currently in a rapid development stage.
“Due to their ease of use, consumers really love upright bags. For opening or unpacking candies, they are the perfect solution for expanding consumption in home use,” Baer said. She also pointed out that resealability eliminates the need to transfer candy to another container. In addition, “freshness and portion control are directly related to resealing. It provides a lot of value.”
In addition, in the candy aisle, “retailers provide more space for upright bags,” said Matt Pye, Vice President of Affairs at Just Born Quality Conditions. Earlier this year, Just Born launched the resealable standing bag Peeps Minis (classic Peeps candy in one bite), which is made of metal composite materials.
Choosing a standing bag for its product helps position it as a daily product rather than a specific item for Easter, Halloween, or other candy centered holidays. Traditional Easter gummies are packaged on cardboard trays wrapped in transparent film.
“Peeps Minis are a year-round product. They are packaged in vertical bags and are located in the daily candy aisle alongside all popular small, one mouthed products… In the candy industry, vertical bags and one mouthed small-sized products are growing rapidly.” Pye said.
The popularity of resealable and multi-purpose bagged candies has been driven by the control of portion sizes, ease of sharing, and the ability to consume snacks outside.
Can be resealed and packaged for consumers to count or control the amount of candy they consume. “You can just enjoy a few candies and reseal them,” said Allison Kleinfelter, Senior Manager of Strategic Communications at Hershey
As early as a century ago, Hershey was the first to propose the concept of tasting with his “kiss of good times”, and his resealable bag is “a modern way to achieve weight control desires,” Kleinfelter said.
In order to encourage sharing, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company has recently launched a stand up bag called Ghirardelli Minis, which has the slogan “Share a Piece” printed directly above the packaging. Unlike other vertical packaging in the candy aisle, the Ghirardelli Squares packaging bag cannot be resealed.
The development trend of candy sharing (including portable sharing packs) and resealable packaging of all sizes has been observed among consumers of all ages. “The small packaging may only be shared by two consumers, but some large packaging allows them to share at parties and while watching movies,” Kleinfelter said.
“Consumers strongly agree with the concept of shared experiences in food and beverage,” she added, “because culturally, food is such a shared experience, and in fact, the forms offered by manufacturers today truly resonate comprehensively among everyone.”
