The news says that everyone is worried about the economy and consumers are spending less. Is this causing your product sales to decline? Consumers typically cut back during tough economic times. So how can stagnant products be countered when the economy is in recession or slowdown?

The first thing to understand is that the consumer still “buys” things. For example, 70% of all packaging is related to food and people still have to eat. They just buy in different ways. They can eliminate fast food or restaurant purchases in favor of home-prepared meals. But they still want to buy the same conditions. In the case of fast food easy to prepare, reheat or ready to eat. Fresh take-out pizza from Wal-Mart is a good example of satisfying a need. In my case, instead of a trip to a restaurant, your rotisserie chicken is ready to go with dozens of food prep apps. But I also want convenience and limited meal prep.

To understand how to make your packaging recession proof, you need to learn to recognize what buying signals will motivate your customer to buy your products. They still want to spend money, they just want to do it profitably and get something of value for their purchases. Or they may just want to treat themselves to something special as a way to feel better.

Here are some ways you can influence a consumer’s purchase decision through product packaging.

Even though overall purchases may be low, people are still willing to experiment. As a good example, they could cancel a planned vacation. Can your products be used to simulate a “vacation” at home? Products could be geared towards having a lifestyle experience without having to leave home. You can package that experience as an alternative to vacation. Words like having a luxury spa experience in your own home or vacationing at home with our X. It all depends on how you connect the experience with the desired result on your product packaging.

Despite the economy, sales of luxury products are also increasing. People are willing to spend money to pamper themselves or to make a personal statement. What packages that can be considered

luxurious and a special gift for someone? Is your product packaging flashy and unique? A good example is the number of companies that incorporate Swavorksi crystals into their product packaging or that use sleek and ultra-sophisticated glass bottles instead of plastic. Other products include people buying something unique, different, and expensive to make their own brand statement. In this case, the price is not an object, what counts is the result of “feeling good”.

On the other side of the coin is the switch from branded to private label products, usually with considerable cost savings. Almost all retailers now have their own private label product line.

Can you label your product privately for an untapped market opportunity? Literally anything can be labeled private. It is one of the fastest growing market sectors. As consumers look for ways to save money, they are willing to experiment with new brands. Private label packaging is now as sophisticated as brand name products. The interesting fact is that once they change and are satisfied, they usually never go back to the brand counterpart. So what can a private label put on your packaging?

Another way to engage the consumer is to add more value. There have been numerous articles recently written about the “reduction package” of products that are sold at the same price. As I said when asked, smart marketers would figure out how to deliver more value, not less. So in McDonald’s lingo, they blow me up. Give me more for my money, not less. Indicate this on your packaging 10% more for the same price, value package or even our packaging is NOT smaller. Your customer will be watching what you do and could be buying from someone who is.

I’d like to go back to rotisserie chicken again. This week I bought a chicken at Publix. I was surprised how smaller it was like a chicken generally much bigger but still sold to the same

price (same as packaging shrinkage). He was a dissatisfied customer for two reasons. I like Kroger’s chicken a lot better (the store is just as close). Krogers ‘chicken comes in a zip-top bag which makes it incredibly easy to store, while Publics’ chicken comes in a paper bag that breaks easily and is not airtight, making me go one step further to come back. to pack. Even better, Kroger runs the member special with rotisserie chicken at a lower price frequently. That’s what I mean about connecting with your primary customer: In the same packaged product, Kroger offers value and convenience that Publix does not.

Lastly, think about reusing your packaging. This is somewhat similar to the “value” on the packaging, but in this case people will retain their packaging, refill it, or use it for something else. Think about how you can give twice the reason to buy something by letting your consumer know. You get double the benefits for your investment, as you can also capture the environmental movement. Words like our product is reusable, refillable, or collectible, or don’t even throw it away.

Recession-proofing your product packaging is about listening to the consumer. They will buy, if you pack the right message at the right price with the right value, recession or not.