Breakfast packaging is an important part of the overall cereal product as it can protect it and make it remain fresh whilst allowing it to be seen by the consumer base. In the U.S. market there are many cereal brands all competing to get the attention of the target audience to buy the cereal they are selling. Cereal boxes can help a brand promote its product and ensure its freshness when they are made in a trendy and sturdy way. Smart packaging is trending as it includes features that make people's lives easier.

The following looks at how smart packaging for cereal is changing breakfast packaging in the U.S.:

Preserves quality of cereal

The packaging needs to maintain the freshness and quality of the cereal if people are to buy it. For this good-quality packaging material should be chosen to make the box which can protect the cereal from humidity, dirt, etc. There are now many packaging material options available that a brand can choose from.

Brands need to look for new materials as well as coatings for the packaging along with inner liners which can maintain the crispness of the product for longer. Materials that can be considered include cardboard or paperboard as they are strong and will not harm the cereal with dangerous chemicals.

A cereal box can include a freshness indicator such as color-changing features which respond to stuff like temperature as well as humidity alterations within the pack. This lets customers know whether the cereal is in good condition or not.

Environmentally-friendly packaging

Smart packaging aims to limit packaging waste as many consumers in the U.S. are being drawn to eco-friendly packaging. Cereal brands need to limit packaging waste by choosing sustainable and food-grade materials to make the box with. Materials like recyclable cardboard or Kraft paper can be used to make the box.

These boxes can be designed in a unique way with sustainable inks like water-based ink to make the packaging design look appealing whilst keeping the health of the environment in mind.

User-friendly packaging

Smart packaging considers user-friendly features to make the box be easy to use. People must know all about the product without the packaging design being flooded with information.

A brand can consider including QR codes which customers can scan with their smartphone and find out more details about the cereal product. The packaging design can therefore be kept simple but people will still find out details about the cereal product.

On the box you can include necessary details only which can let customers decide if they want the product. This will include its flavor, ingredients and nutritional facts, manufacturing and expiry date, warnings, etc.

The box should be simple to open and close and must remain sturdy till the cereal ends as many consumers keep the product in the box. When lightweight material like cardboard gets used to make the packaging, it will be easy to hold.

Marketing cereal product

A custom cereal box is able to market the product amongst the competition as it can stand out and get noticed. Smart packaging may be employed to make the packaging and product seem exciting. This is when people are led to interactive games and contests when they scan QR codes and other digital interfaces. These can relate to the cereal product being sold.

The packaging design is able to provide a better experience for customers as the packaging will be engaging and interactive. You can design the box to appeal to the target audience when you include colors and images that stand out to them. For instance you can add colors like green or brown if you are selling a healthy cereal for adults whilst the packaging selling cereal for kids can be bright and colorful and include images of cartoons and puzzles on the box.

The target audience can be drawn to packaging like this and consider buying the product as the box will be able to stand out.

Brand recognition

Custom cereal boxes that have a unique design and include brand details help with increasing brand awareness letting people know about the cereal brand selling the product. The box can include the cereal brand’s logo and contact details.

When people scan the QR code they can be led to the brand’s website or social media page to find out more about it and the products it sells.

Smart cereal packaging can help a cereal brand stand out in the competitive U.S. breakfast products industry making people notice a brand amongst the competition. This is if the packaging is designed in an appealing way and is made to protect the cereal product from anything that can negatively impact it. The packaging will be interactive and sustainable therefore can stand out to many people.