At a Glance
- Packaging has no standardized volume. This is due to the fact that there is little regulation, which restricts filling quantities and package sizes. As a result, price comparisons are becoming increasingly difficult and sometimes even impossible for buyers.
- Good packaging has the following functions: protective function, storage function, loading & transport function, information function, dosing & withdrawal function, and sales function.
- Survey shows that more than 40 percent of all consumers are worried about not getting hidden price increases at all because the quantities of content are simply hidden on the packaging. Hence, consumer protectionists advise customers who usually use the same products to be particularly vigilant and compare content and prices.
- Bulk packaging turns out to be a deception compared to conventional smaller packaging. Low-cost large packages, especially in the food and detergent sector, are a widespread misconception, which is why a careful price comparison should always be carried out.
Compare two packaging sizes
Different packaging sizes and filling quantities irritate consumers
Many consumers are increasingly overburdened by the shelves of food retailers, discounters, and drugstores. This is due to the fact that there is little regulation, which restricts filling quantities and package sizes. Packaging has no standardized volume. As a result, price comparisons are becoming increasingly difficult and sometimes even impossible for buyers. In addition, there is also an increased risk that manufacturers will offer their products in a so-called deceptive packaging and thus conceal a deliberate price increase. Sometimes packaging suggesting the volume of a gallon hold less than that, although the price remains the same. Many producers come up with even more tricks to increase profitability and secretly increase margins: they simply keep the so-called threshold prices, such as 0.99 dollars or 1.99 dollars, even though there is now less in the package. Here you can calculate how much they increased their margins when changing prices. The disadvantage for the customers is obvious: Although the new sizes and filling quantities (here you can find out how much volume a packaging could hold) are shown on the packaging, this is difficult for the buyers to recognize.
Comparing products is often a nuisance, but is essential to make the right decision.
Proper packaging
The requirements for food packaging are changing. The packaging industry faces the challenge of adapting the dimensions and design forms to the changing customer groups. Single households usually do not need so-called advantage packs but are mainly interested in buying only as much as they can consume. Families, on the other hand, continue to hope to avoid frequent visits to the supermarket and actively save money through larger quantities.Why does the packaging and food industry develop so many different forms of packaging?
Packaging is an essential characteristic for the successful marketing of the product. Both in terms of its external design and its individual adaptation to the different consumer needs. For example, you can find the same product in a normal shelf in a different size than at the checkout desk for more spontaneous buyers or children. Consumers are also increasingly turning to supposedly fresh organic products. The main focus here is on packaging to protect the food from perishability. A “good” packaging must therefore be judged by what functions it fulfills and how well it does. Good packaging has the following functions: protective function, storage function, loading & transport function, information function, dosing & withdrawal function, sales function. There can usually only be compromises. Orange juice, for example, can be filled into glass, beverage carton or PET bottles. It is important to note which juice is involved – fresh or pasteurized – and the type of juice (e. g. orange – very high acidity) is also decisive. Milk is very sensitive to light and oxygen. Alcoholic beverages like beer are also very sensitive to light and oxygen. Carbonated beverages have to be filled differently and packed with a different closure and wall thickness. These many different requirements now only apply to three different types of beverages. If you think about it, or pay attention to how many different products there are when you walk through the supermarket, which have to be protected from water vapour, oxygen, light, external influences (such as vermin) etc. and which have to be durable, easy to open, easy to remove and easy to transport, it quickly becomes clear why there are so many different types of packaging.Surveys show that more than 40 percent of all consumers are worried about not getting hidden price increases at all because the quantities of content are simply hidden on the packaging. Consumer protectionists advise customers who usually use the same products to be particularly vigilant and to compare content and prices. Why? This group of customers usually doesn’t pay much attention to the size of the pack or the price. But also applies to all other customers:”Eyes open when shopping!”

If you don’t place the different packaging sizes next to each other, the differences in size are usually not noticeable.