Dreaming of a sustainable Christmas
Top tips to help your brand stand out from the crowd this Christmas

Whilst Christmas may feel like a lifetime away, it is actually closer than you think! Already, the days have begun to get darker, temperatures have started to drop and people are swapping their summer sandals for winter jumpers. 

With these changes, businesses - both small and large - are able to do things a little differently and develop a festive offering that creates an air of excitement around your products.

Research from the World Coffee Portal has revealed that customers are 25% more likely to visit a coffee shop or café during the festive season and are happy to pay a 13.5% premium on Christmas-themed food and drink. For food-service businesses the holiday season is the perfect opportunity to capitalise on the increased traffic and capture the attention of jolly customers, looking to get involved in the holiday celebrations.

In this blog, we discuss how you can create an attractive, fun Christmas range that will ensure that you stand out from the crowd.

Know the trends!

To keep your packaging innovative, it is important to to be aware of the changing styles and trends within the foodservice industry. 

This year, consumers are craving styles rooted in nostalgia. As a result, businesses are showcasing their products and reminding customers of Christmas past through eye-catching, vibrant retro designs.

Think outside the box

As already mentioned, customers are willing to pay a 13.5% premium on Christmas themed drinks and food. Introducing temporary additions to the menu, filled with innovate festive flavours creates a buzz around your brand’s products and gives customers incentive to visit before time runs out.

“The Christmas season is a contest to see who can create the biggest, most popular or most exciting hot drink. It gives coffee shops a USP and if done well it can make them virtually famous via the press and social media.” - The Grocer

Feel-good packaging

Some would argue that packaging is almost as important as the product itself. When considering packaging, businesses need to be aware of what their packaging is communicating to customers about their brand’s values and ethos. 

Environmental awareness continues to grow. 88% of consumers saying that they want businesses to help them to be more environmentally friendly; packaging is a powerful way to show your customers that you care about the planet and support them to make sustainable changes to their lives.

Planglow’s festive motto is simple: festive ranges should only last through Christmas, their remnants shouldn’t pollute our earth for life.  This is why we have introduced our festive mini range including a retro-look 12oz compostable cup, a grease-resistant deli paper sheet and contrasting sticker, along with a nine per sheet label. You can view the range here.

Timing!

The exact date for brands to start decorating and selling Christmas themed products is highly debated. From our experience, customers tell us that the best time to make the switch is early-mid November. 

Whatever date you decide on, ensure that you have planned and have the correct marketing beforehand.