How do you design a versatile retail packaging system that is genuinely different?

Electronics brand Sprout wanted a unique, eco-friendly packaging system for its range of fashion and non-fashion phone accessories. A range of formats were developed, mocked up and compared on functionality, look and feel.

Coarse formed pulp trays are often used in packaging to hold product inside a glossy outer box. We decided to give it a smooth finish and make it an external feature. A common outer tray provided structure, while the inner tray was customised to securely hold each product.

Research showed that tamper-evidence features hindered retailers’ ability to demonstrate and re-stock accessories, so working with the Brand Manager, we eliminated them.

Customers are reluctant to purchase fashion accessories until seeing them on their phone, and non-fashion accessories without checking compatibility.

For fashion packs, graphics are printed directly on the recyclable clear PET sleeve, which has a built in hang sell feature to minimise parts.

For non-fashion packs, visibility was less important, enabling us to have more fun with the outer form. A tactile embossed logo was added without increasing cost. The outer sleeve is recyclable paperboard.

Unsold stock can be re-shelved for future sale, reducing product and packaging waste while boosting profits.