We are skewing smaller all the time. Dairy foods and beverages are seen in smaller, more convenient and snack-size packaging, all for the love of the consumer. From the iconic glass milk bottles hand-delivered to homes to the paper cartons in single-serve school vending machine size and in larger refrigerator size, milk has come a long way. Add to that yogurt on a stick, cheese in snack packs and packaging made from milk protein, and you have a new way to shop. With consumer lifestyles and health needs changing, “dairy” has taken on a whole new meaning. Additionally, dairy alternatives have given the market some not-so welcomed competition.
In the competitive dairy market, packaging plays a significant role as a vehicle to grow market shares. Packaging is a means to differentiate as well as optimize the value chain, or put in another way, increase sales while also reducing costs. We are now in a world of “snackification.” Stats show that snacking is a booming $87 billion business, and on the rise, with snacks accounting for 51% of all food sales. Therefore, many brands have realized they need to go small or go home.