Wrapped to sell
by Fidelis Zvomuya

Boxes, bags and bottles have evolved from mere containers of fluid products to branding elements and in store sales agents of the products within.

According to Nathan Reddy, managing director of Grid, a branding and design agency, a best selling package must not be irreverent, but should have a universal appeal and be a reflection of the brand, as well as creating communications across multiple platforms.

He says packaging that sells should look great - preferably with a unique shape - smell good, be timeless, waterproof, environmentally friendly and easy to open.

“For years consumers have been trying to get manufacturers to adopt frustration free packaging that gets rid of plastic cases and bubble wrap, which are major irritants for consumers.

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Enjoying the slow life

Fully appreciating the process of nourishment sometimes requires a different perspective and broader philosophy. Eating, which to most people may be little more than a physiological inevitability, is to others a process of soul as well as physical nourishment.

Regrettably, the global increase in fast foods and hurried eating habits has had the combined effect of standardising individual tastes and the gradual disappearance of thousands of foods and flavours. Moreover, an appreciation of food is no longer an automatic part of the eating experience. The realisation of these truths gave rise to the establishment of the Slow Food Movement in Italy in 1986.

The philosophy of the Slow Food Movement is founded on our right to eating pleasure and our consequent responsibility to protect our heritage of culture and traditions, and the foods that go along with it.

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SA grapes again hit by heavy rain

Grape growers in South Africa have again suffered from heavy rainfall. This has not been an easy season for growers, especially in the Orange River Region, where the season started off with inconsistent sugar levels, then in mid December the rain caused problems for the early varieties and almost 100mm fell at the turn of the year.

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Locally pressed fruit juice hits home

Wilde’s range of pure pressed fruit juice recently entered the North American market to rave reviews. Wilde contains only fruit juice with no preservatives or added sugar. Their juices are all made from fruit grown in the Western Cape, which is then processed in an ultra-modern facility to allow most of the nutrients to remain in the juice. Before packaging, the juice is pasteurised, which means that it does not need to be refrigerated to be transported worldwide. The juice is then packed into Elopak cartons as one of the first long life South African fruit juice brands with an extended shelf life of up to 12months outside the cold chain.

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