##Cayuga Displays: The Vogue Magazine of the retail display industry.
We’ve been referred to in a lot of flattering ways over the years, but that is definitely not one of them. But it somehow occurred to me when I was thinking about writing this blog post that it might not be a bad way to describe us.
We’re experts in our field and when you’re experts, you have to be on top of trends. That’s what Vogue does and it’s definitely what we do, too. In the display industry, we specifically need to be on top of trends in packaging so that we can respond to them with our display designs. Here are the top eight trends we’re seeing these days:
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Label placement: There’s a trend toward clear packaging, but even clear packaging has to have labels. The trick is to display the product so that enough of the product is shown through the clear packaging, while also ensuring that the most important labels are visible.
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Artisanal packaging: On the flip side of clear packaging is the completely opaque package we’re seeing more and more of, or combination of paper/and clear. This is especially popular for products branded as “artisanal”, “homemade” or “farm to table”, which might come in a paper bag. We want to make sure as much of that bag is showing to get the “artisanal” point across, while also getting that label out there front and center.
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Ever-changing packaging: As manufacturers continue to experiment with different packaging styles and sizes, our displays have to be flexible enough to accommodate them so that customers can easily see and pick up the product.
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Produce is being branded in its own packaging: There are different ways of displaying produce in its more traditional, unpackaged, state, versus produce that’s in its own branded packaging.
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Single-serve packaging: There’s a huge trend toward smaller sizes and single servings, especially when it comes to dessert foods like muffins, cupcakes and cakes. A single muffin, for example, needs to be displayed differently than a package of a half dozen muffins.
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Prepared foods: More and more in grocery stores you’ll see prepared foods like ready-to- eat hot dinners or prepared meals that just require a few minutes in the oven. These must be contained in packaging that can safely be heated – you’re even seeing metallicized packaging that can be microwaved now. We can respond to that by creating displays that will help keep these foods warm and fresh and working with the operations team to use holding equipment properly to keep products safe and fresh.
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Alcohol: With alcohol – especially wine and beer now being sold in many more grocery stores, we have a familiar product in a new setting. We can create refrigerated cases with lighting and specially designed shelves to highlight specialty drinks as well as provide opportunities for cross merchandising with crackers, cheese, and bread for example.
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Flatbreads: People love flatbreads, but it’s not wise to display them the same way you’d display other bread. We’ve designed displays with pegs to hold flatbreads and help keep them organized and easily accessible.
##Okay, so how does this tie into what we do?
Our team of designers takes these trends in mind when working on new designs and prototypes. A good example would be our recent focus on improving prepared food displays. Store-bought meals have long been seen as bland and unappetizing, but that is not the case anymore. Many retailers are now offering healthy and delicious foods, and turning to both packaging and merchandising to change their perceptions.
Sure, you’re not going to find this list in Vogue and you won’t find our displays on the runways of Paris and New York. But you will find them at retailers across North America, humbly elevating how your products are experienced.
