For some, packaging design has been difficult to measure it's ROI. For others, it demands a majority of time and attention considering that 75% of consumers decide at the shelf. Increasingly FMCG companies are looking to larger partners and agencies and away from specialty design shops for their packaging activities.

The intangibility of design, and the difficulty in measuring its effectiveness and return on investment, has traditionally placed it low down in the marketing mix for FMCG clients.

Many of the agencies serving the consumer products goods sector have seen an increase in their packaging responsibilities, clients are looking for a more well rounded approach. A greater depth in strategic Above and Below The Line experience is helping to reestablish the sector, allowing consultancies to up their game and become ’scale’ players.

The survey, conducted by IDC Global Retail Insights and titled “Being Consumer-Centric: A Retailer and Manufacturer Update”, shows companies are seeing benefits from the concept, but more opportunities are available. Consumer centricity was defined in the survey as any strategy for which an organization uses shopper data to develop insight as a driver for decision-making.

“This survey confirms that retailers and consumer products manufacturers have become more consumer-centric for several years and are serious about committing to this type of initiative,” said Marc Dietz, vice president of marketing at DemandTec. “Given the difference between top-performing retailers and the rest of the pack, it is interesting to see the tremendous opportunity for additional investment and improvement.”

Value programs and other strategies revealed.

A report from Nielsen Consumer Insight suggests that by October 2008, one-third of all U.S. consumers in a survey said they didn't feel secure in their jobs, while half believed they were worse off financially than a year ago. As a result, consumers are taking steps to cut back spending, particularly on major purchases for the:

I've been traveling for the last few weeks and have come back to our agency with a renewed enthusiasm on the merits of clean, simple Below The Line communications. What I've noticed is the lack of consumer products that actual have a good story. A simple story that consumers can absorb in our less is more current culture. (There's a reason that Twitter limits you to 140 character tweets.)

Coke is a good example of how simple sells. Happiness from the start! It's amazing the effort they go to to make it look simple. As few words as possible but consistently communicated in every major city, all over the world.

At every touch point make it consistent and make sure the brand foundation speaks to their needs. Coke's "Happiness" campaign is right on. Who doesn't want a bottle of happiness. Research, research and research some more to offer your clients insightful communications that delivers to consumer or customer needs.
- Dave Wohlner, President LSC