On the Mark #7

On the Mark #7: The Advancement of Barcodes, Augmented Reality and Consumer Trends for 2023

Catching up on interesting news and innovations in production, packaging, technology and more

On th eMark couple shopping in a grocery store

GS1 US: Why the Barcode Isn’t Going Anywhere.

With the news of Amazon’s multi-modal identification taking aim at barcodes and questioning their value, GS1 US issued a statement on the topic, clarifying that the barcode is here to stay. The standards body stated that advanced technologies will complement existing barcodes, including the growing use of 2D barcodes and RFID for product identification. The reason: barcodes deliver vital product information for retailers and consumers. In fact, the barcode is scanned over six billion times per day. GS1 US says its standards are “constantly adapting to facilitate interoperability with emerging technology while ensuring precise identification is never lost.” Source: packworld.com.

6 Innovative Augmented Reality Product Packaging Use Cases.

Augmented Reality (AR) experiences can bring value and entertainment to end users and the technology is steadily expanding into a variety of sectors, including product packaging. This article explores six use cases of AR in the packaging industry. A few of the examples include a Jack Daniels AR app, which provides a virtual tour of its distillery; the hair care brand Herbal Essences use of an interactive beachscape video that talks about its product while raising awareness of the problems associated with plastic waste; and a 45-year-old pasta sauce company using AR to link tradition with innovation by bringing its brand icon to life. Source: wikitude.com.

An AR app enables Francesco Rinaldi, a 45-year-old pasta sauce company, to embrace its heritage by bringing Mrs. Rinaldi to life to share stories about her pasta sauces.
An AR app enables Francesco Rinaldi, a 45-year-old pasta sauce company, to embrace its heritage by bringing Mrs. Rinaldi to life to share stories about her pasta sauces.

Consumer Packaged Goods Companies Drive Robot Sales.

Robot sales are at an all-time high and 41% of the orders sold in Q2 2022 came from non-automotive companies – most of which were from the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector. Most CPGs have embraced robotics to automate production, storage and/or distribution processes. The use of industrial robots and cobots has helped address labor shortages, growth in e-commerce and the need for flexibility on the production line. At the same time, robotics has become more affordable, helping CPGs increase ROI. While most CPGs have robots or cobots somewhere on the production line, there is a huge opportunity for growth. Three out of five CPG companies plan to increase robotics usage in the next five years, particularly in the secondary and transport packaging applications and across the food industry. Source: packagingtechtoday.com.

Six Consumer Trends that will Drive Packaging.

A market research firm in Europe just released its Top Consumer Trends of 2023 and six of those trends directly impact the packaging industry. With Millennials now the dominant buyer demographic, most consumers are accepting automation as a way of life – but they also want an authentic connection. CPGs must understand what makes the most sense along the buyer journey and packaging must reflect those nuanced consumer preferences. Other consumer trends that influence packaging decisions include the use of e-commerce to find the best deal and, conversely, the trend in spontaneous purchases that “spark joy.” Other trends include sustainability, gender equality and the rise of Gen Z buyers. Source: oemmagazine.org.