BLANDING IN BRANDING: Is it Over or Here to Stay?

everything together and catch consumers' attention, with the latest trend being to give mascots some movement and variations to represent different flavour offerings.

It's important to remember that packaging design is more important than ever, with consumers focusing more on spending wisely. Brands need to create packaging that looks great and conveys value and quality. By embracing bold colours, playful typography, and fun design elements, FMCG manufacturers can create packaging that stands out on the shelves and makes a lasting impression on shoppers.

Attention Grocery Suppliers

The Food and Grocery Council is an industry association for grocery suppliers providing members networking, events, industry information and strong advocacy. Contact us for information on the benefits of membership: raewyn.bleakley@fgc.org.nz

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• Education and Training

• Advocacy and Law Reform

In 2018, the branding world was taken by storm with the rise of Blanding. A minimalist design aesthetic that took over major labels in the fashion world, most notably; Burberry, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Berluti, and Balmain. Blanding is defined by a lack of historical references, clean lines, limited colour palettes, and an overall simplification, all embodied by sans serif fonts.

While Blanding may have once been a powerful tool for intuitive communication, its self-referential nature has resulted in a sea of indistinguishable brands needing more distinct personalities, unique promises, and specific values. While big tech companies such as Apple, Google, and Uber have strong, streamlined identities that match their offerings, brands from all industries have moved to align with this message. However, eye-catching packaging and bold colours have become increasingly important in a sea of similar products, with brands opting for unexpected colour combinations and playful typography to stand out on the shelves. Vintage layouts and sticker book aesthetics are also making a comeback, invoking a sense of nostalgia and curiosity.

Additionally, brand mascots are another effective way to tie

While Blanding may have once been a powerful trend in branding, brands need to own their authentic personality and values to stand out from the sea of Blands. Looks may capture attention, but it's branding that inspires consumers to stay loyal.

Caitlan Mitchell | Editor

www.fgc.org.nz

The NEW ZEALAND BEVERAGE COUNCIL is an industry association whose members cover all aspects of the non-alcoholic beverage market both in New Zealand and the export markets.

The Council members are spread throughout New Zealand and come together annually for a conference that covers industry issues and is addressed by international speakers. The organisation monitors product quality, sets standards for the industry and runs national competitions and awards.

PUBLISHER Tania Walters

GENERAL MANAGER Kieran Mitchell

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Sarah Mitchell

EDITOR Caitlan Mitchell

CONTENT MANAGERS/ SALES Felicity-Anne Flack, Caroline Boe, Bailey Nickel

EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE Annabel Maasdam, Sam Francks

SENIOR DESIGNER Raymund Sarmiento

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Supermarket Celebrates Six Months Of Service

Asupermarket is proud to share its six-month anniversary. Since the opening of Tokora's social supermarket, it has significantly impacted the community.

Under the leadership of BBM Founder Dave Letele and Supermarket Manager Norah Carlson, the social supermarket has been building strong relationships with other service providers in the area and supporting whānau in need.

The social supermarket has supported over 25 families weekly in the past six months. The supermarket provided Christmas hampers to families in need, which were greatly appreciated and a huge help, especially as most whānau in contact with the social supermarket were unprepared for the holiday season. Read more here.

Advancement In Food Waste Management

Industry leaders have begun investing in ESG (Environmental, social, and governance) strategies to match sustainability incentives. Sustainability action is propelled through government, corporations, and consumer demand.

According to Astra, industry leaders of the market are using this environmental aspect of ESG to create a positive impact through various methods, including combustion, anaerobic digestion, aerobic digestion and pyrolysis, and gasification, wherein the waste is broken down into simple components, reducing the strain on the environment.

These strategies aim to redirect the byproducts of the food industry to be used as power sources to combat climate change. Read more here.

Major Cooperative Collaboration

Foodstuffs South Island has announced its collaboration with an innovator at the front line of business solutions, with partners delivering a performance edge. Zebra Technologies Corporation and Foodstuffs South Island have entered a partnership using Zebra’s mobile computers, tablets and wearable scanners to achieve greater productivity, inventory visibility and accuracy, and improved shopping experience. Since 1928, Foodstuffs South Island has offered many shopping experiences, from grocery and convenience stores to large-scale supermarkets, wholesale, and specialty liquor stores. The company also owns recognisable retail chains Four Square, New World and PAK’nSAVE, and in-store private brands Pam and Pam’s Finest. Read more here.

Recall Of Chicken Flavoured Snack

Country Imports and Exports Limited and Vision Foods Limited recall all batches and all dates of its Yumo’s brand Chicken Flavoured Snack. Imported from Fiji, the snack is sold at various retailers, including, Get Fresh Mangere, Get Fresh Vege & Spice Centre, Hunters Foodtown Supermarket, New World Southmall, New Zealand Feeders, PAK’nSAVE Manukau, Fiji Foods Distributors New Zealand Limited. The snack is recalled due to an undeclared allergen (dairy milk). People with a milk allergy or intolerance should not consume this product. If this product has been consumed and individuals have health concerns, they are encouraged to seek medical advice. This recall does not affect you if you are not allergic or intolerant to milk.

Ism 2023 Is Betting On Joint Solutions In Challenging Times

The world's largest and most important trade fair for sweets and snacks with new highlights and a diversified event programme. A colourful selection of the finest sweet and savoury treats from around the globe on around 100,000 m² at the Cologne exhibition halls: ISM 2023! After the Re-start Edition last year, about 1,300 exhibitors from 70 countries will present the trends of the international sweets and snacks industry again this year, which means ISM is confirming its position as the leading global trade fair. The exhibitors include newcomers from Armenia, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. The share of foreign exhibitors is 88 percent. In total, there are 32 country pavilions from 25 countries and regions. Read more here.

COST INCREASES FROM GROCERY SUPPLIERS TO SUPERMARKETS INCREASE 10.3% IN MARCH

Cost increases from grocery suppliers to supermarkets remained at elevated levels in March 2023. The Infometrics-Foodstuffs New Zealand Grocery Supplier Cost Index (GSCI) shows a 10.3 percent pa increase in what suppliers charged supermarkets for goods in March 2023, marking six months where the average supplier cost increase has been above 10 percent pa. Read more here.