Learn what smart packaging is and see examples of how brands use it to better connect to consumers.
“Think of Tiffany & Co. For most people, the iconic robin’s-egg blue box is more recognizable than the jewelry itself.” Inc. magazine gets it right when illustrating that product packaging is as important as the product itself.
Originally purely functional, packaging has evolved to serve a variety of additional functions, including branding like the iconic Tiffany box color. Smart packaging continues that evolution.
What is Smart Packaging?
Smart packaging is packaging with functionality beyond the original and primary uses: to contain, protect and preserve products. Smart packaging is typically divided into two categories:
- Active Packaging: The packaging itself improves the product. For example, food packaging made of materials that reduce the amount of moisture that reaches the food.
- Intelligent Packaging: Packaging capable of intelligent functions, sensing that the product or the packaging itself has changed in some way.
“Smart packaging allows [us] to track and trace a product throughout its lifecycle and to analyze and control the environment inside or outside the package to inform its manufacturer, retailer or consumer on the product’s condition at any given time,” according to a recent report on Smart Packaging.
Connected Packaging
A subset of intelligent packaging, connected packaging integrates NFC tags or QR codes to perform a certain function. Blue Bite provides the platform for brands to leverage this connectivity and present digital experiences directly to consumers.
Because these experiences are contextual, an NFC tag embedded in custom packaging can serve different experiences depending on where a product is in its lifecycle:
Before purchase, these experiences can:
- Convey product information for prospective buyers in the store
- Verify a product is not counterfeit through authentication services
- Reassure buyers by confirming the product has not been opened or otherwise tampered with before purchase
After purchase, they can:
- Provide additional information about the product exclusive to buyers
- Offer incentives for product registration to open a direct line of communication with consumers
- Offer assembly instructions
- Incentivize product registration
11 Examples of Smart Packaging
TONIC CBD
With reordering made as simple as scanning product packaging with a phone and tapping a “Buy” button, creating repeat and complementary sales — and therefore adding to lifetime value — is now frictionless.
Brand Protection
Italian olive oil brands use NFC to battle counterfeits and engage consumers
“Italian olive oil brands Buonamici, La Ranocchiaia, SPO and Il Cavallino are integrating NFC tags into their product lines to enable authentication and enhance consumer engagement, by delivering product information and other relevant content to customers’ smartphones,” writes NFC World.
Authentication
eBay Authenticity Guarantee
“eBay is now offering proof of authentication (in the form of an NFC-enabled tag) for select footwear in partnership with Sneaker Con as its third-party authenticator,” reports Sneaker News, “adding a key level of security to the buying process and added ease to the selling process at the hands of a true authority in sneaker authentication.”
Personalized Content
Redken
The “Personalized Prescription,” in this case, details the benefits of the very product the consumer holds in their hand. If they are in a store or salon and haven’t made a purchase yet, it provides additional information that may influence that purchase decision. If they’ve already purchased the product, the experience showcases product instructions and more.
Tuned Wines
When DJ Jordi Ruz launched Tuned Wines, he didn’t just offer great wine, he offered a new kind of wine experience. Utilizing his extensive DJ talents, he creates a special listening session to complement each wine; and it’s only available to those that have purchased the wine.
See our Tuned Wines case study for even more.
Exclusive Content
Pepsi Super Bowl LV 2021 Cans
“As part of the promotion for Pepsi’s 10th year as the sponsor of the Super Bowl Halftime Show, the brand unveiled a special website, PepsiHalftime.com, with behind-the-scenes videos and an augmented reality (AR) experience on Instagram,” reports Marketing Dive. “QR codes on the website and specially marked cans of Pepsi can be scanned with a smartphone camera to see an AR selfie lens in the photo-sharing app.”
Lady Gaga “Chromatica” Oreos
“Differing from past Oreo releases is a digital singing component,” writes Delish. “Sing It With Oreo encourages fans to send uplifting ‘OREOgrams’ to loved ones for the chance to win a special experience from Lady Gaga. From December 15, 2020 to April 30, 2021, fans can scan specially marked QR codes to record their very-own OREOgram.”
Product Registration
Ocean Bottle
A look at early adopters shows an astounding 68% registration rate for users that have activated the Blue Bite digital experience. Incentivizing product registration, along with the practical application of the ‘Reefill’ maps and credits, connects Ocean Bottle directly to users. This creates a new channel to continuously update users on how they can stay involved for years to come.
Read the entire Ocean Bottle story.
Coupons & Incentives
Vita Coco Money Back Guarantee
Vita Coco added a custom branded QR code to highly visible in-store displays that were part of the “We dare you not to love it” guarantee messaging promoting the new Vita Coco Pressed product line. This playful incentive encouraged engagement directly in the store as consumers launched the Blue Bite-powered digital experience on their phone by scanning the QR code.
Get all the Vita Coco details.
Community
Mezcla Vegan Bars
Mezcla’s vegan, plant protein bars feature a QR code in the center of their packaging. Simply scan it to view a collection of submitted artwork from people around the world. Consumers can also submit their own artwork for a chance to be featured on the brand’s packaging.
Stacy’s Pita Chips QR Code Bags
Stacy’s launched its newest packaging innovation featuring a QR code that, once scanned with a mobile phone, will direct consumers to nearby female-founded businesses — making it easier than ever to support female entrepreneurs.
Gamification
Funny-Frisch Potato Chips
When consumers scan the QR codes on Funny-Frisch’s potato packaging, they activate a mobile experience designed to engage them and encourage additional purchases. For each new bag that’s tapped, users earn a new level. Once all three new chip flavors have been tapped, consumers can enter to win a year’s supply of their favorite chips.
Get the full Funny-Frisch story.
Safety
POC Ventral Air Spin NFC
“A modern helmet has to accomplish a lot more than helmets from just a few years ago,” reports VeloNews. “Poc’s Ventral Air Spin NFC does exactly that, with incredible venting, a unique look that belies clever aerodynamic design, and an embedded chip that provides your vital info to medical professionals or bystanders should you crash. It’s an impressive helmet in a crowded field of impressive helmets.”
Product Journey
Princes turns to QR codes and blockchain for sustainability storytelling
“The codes, which are being introduced to tinned tomatoes sold in the UK this month, will enable users to access a dedicated webpage walking them through the journey of the product through the supply chain, from farm to supermarket,” writes Edie.
Originally published at https://www.bluebite.com.
