The Naked Truth
Why Showing What Your Business is Made of is 2022’s Biggest Trend
15.12.21
With 2021 all but wrapped up, we’ve perused the latest developing trends to predict next year’s hottest look: your business laid bare. Yep, in 2022, consumers want the naked truth: total transparency about what makes your business tick. If however, you’re feeling a little coy (or perhaps picturing an emperor’s-new-clothes-type-scenario) fret not, this is a golden opportunity to show the world what you’re really made of and here’s some of the ways how...
Custom Design Packaging and Labelling
Over the past year we’ve seen a surge in bespoke packaging and labelling requests as food businesses sought to boost their brand presence in a difficult marketplace. For example, sales of our custom design bags increased 60% on the previous year and our own design labels (which offer an even simpler and low cost route to refreshing branding) went up 30% within the contract catering sector alone. In 2022 we anticipate these figures will continue to rise as brands further show their true colours.
The influx in bespoke labelling requests has of course been driven by Natasha’s Law and we’ve seen many caterers embrace the legislation as an opportunity to update their overall presentation. Large labels that can accommodate the additional information required by the legislation are by far and away the most popular at present. Our ‘Nutri’ labels (which have been developed specifically for this purpose and are available in ten branded finishes plus a plain label for use back of pack) have seen a 200% increase in sales on the previous year.
Future label designs will be influenced by the current review of animal welfare labelling across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland which has come about as a result of leaving the EU. Last autumn, the government held a Call for Evidence assessing how best to promote high animal welfare and food standards through labelling, helping consumers to make more informed choices. We anticipate this effecting most food and drink providers, not just retailers.
Transparency and Brand Values
Current design trends have been hugely influenced by the pandemic and we feel this will continue to impact both the look and composition of packaging and labelling used over the coming year.
During the lockdowns, ecommerce thrived as businesses with previously little to no online presence tried to adapt. In a saturated marketplace, packaging presented an often ‘make or break’ opportunity to try and engage with customers and safeguard repeat business. The emphasis on brand values has filtered out into almost every area of design and is particularly evident in transparent packaging products - both literally (allowing the consumer to see exactly what they are buying) and ethically (eco / reduced waste products, as well as in terms of supply chain).
During 2021 we sold 1.3 million of our clear, plant-based, Blanco bags which meet the transparent brief on both counts. This was a 16% increase on the previous year. Likewise, sales of our large windowed Natural Baguette Bags - which clearly state that they are made from plants - went up by nearly 40% during 2021.
Plastic Bypass
Paper-based products - like our windowed bags, sandwich boxes and takeaway cartons - will become increasingly commonplace in 2022 as their plastic and styrofoam counterparts are phased out. This is being driven by two new pieces of legislation - Scotland’s single use plastics ban and the UK Plastic Packaging Tax, both of which come into force this April. The Scottish ban will be most evident through its outlawing of styrofoam food containers. Meanwhile, the Plastic Packaging Tax which affects businesses manufacturing or importing 10 tonnes or more of plastic packaging a year, is further forcing the industry to rethink how and where materials are applied. Unsurprisingly therefore, manufacturers are increasingly gravitating towards paper-based products. And, where plastics are still being used, it is extremely conservatively or ideally working with non-chemically modified celluloses or recycled materials - both of which are exempt.
Not-So-Grand Designs
The rise in ecommerce, combined with our wider digital consumption, has stripped graphic design back to its purest form: simplification is key because so much of what we consume - visually speaking - is via a screen. Fussy designs are too easily lost and have been replaced by block colours, geometric compositions and flat illustrative styles. Where graphics do take a more detailed approach, illustrations and typography demonstrate a vintage and / or botanical feel where pattern can be intricate to the enth degree lending depth and building a premium finish. Our Gastro range ticks a lot of these boxes as does our plastic-free Street Food packaging collection, which demonstrates a paired back, vintage feel. The range has proven immensely popular amongst caterers looking to adapt their service to covid-safe dining environments and / or replicate a street food set up. This versatile range includes takeout boxes and trays in various sizes supporting a more on-the-go offering and will be suitable for use in Scotland post-plastics ban.
Food Safety
Even with restrictions lifted, takeout and delivery continue to be very popular and food safety, regardless of the setting, is paramount. When choosing a disposable product, its performance as well as what it communicates to consumers is key therefore, caterers should look for: robust, versatile products that are easy to fill and seal; pre-assembled or minimal assembly packs which can be swiftly loaded up and sent on their way; and products that support brand values.
In terms of labelling, in addition to accommodating Natasha’s Law requirements, businesses in the out of home sector with 250+ employees have just a few months left (April 2022) to start including calorie information either on pack or at the point of choice for customers. Our labelling app LabelLogic Live is fully compliant with both Natasha’s Law and the calorie labelling legislation, please do contact us if you require assistance with either.
How To Stay On Trend (And Within the Law)
Disposables can be used to support a food safe offering and plant-based packaging provides a more earth conscious alternative to oil-based plastic products. We offer a wide range of sustainable plant-based products that will break down in bio processing units..
If you’re amongst the one in ten businesses still not compliant with Natasha’s Law, our labelling app has got you covered. Likewise, if you’re a business of 250+ employees, we can assist with the upcoming calorie labelling legislation. Our award winning labelling app - LabelLogic Live - creates nutritional labelling that is fully compliant with Natasha’s Law and may be used to highlight allergens both front and back of pack. It is, in a nutshell, a really quick and easy way for you to create and print your own food labels, menus and ticketing online using any web connected device (PC, mobile, tablet or Mac) and then print using your home / office printer. You can add as much or as little information as you need from price to barcodes or a full nutritional breakdown (don’t worry, the app calculates everything for you).
