tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post1609660430955636298..comments2024-03-22T00:35:19.082-07:00Comments on Casual Kitchen: Lured By A Prettier BoxDanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388302796031288076noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-14686364119753473922011-12-05T19:42:09.442-08:002011-12-05T19:42:09.442-08:00Heh. Tt, no worries at all, in fact, you're ab...Heh. Tt, no worries at all, in fact, you're absolutely right. Heck, my palate isn't delicate enough to tell the difference either.<br /><br />Yet another great reason to ditch yet another branded product that's not worth the price premium. Thanks for the thoughts.<br /><br />DKDanielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02388302796031288076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-42444639025773357912011-12-05T18:57:42.383-08:002011-12-05T18:57:42.383-08:00Um, at the risk of sounding like a complete a-hole...Um, at the risk of sounding like a complete a-hole, why dont you buy orzo from the bulk bins where its significantly cheaper, and no packaging to fret over? Im not sure my palate is delicate enough to tell the difference between store brand and barilla....Tt in nycnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-31621478552883210122011-12-01T11:15:50.680-08:002011-12-01T11:15:50.680-08:00Walter, you're right: the cost of a package de...Walter, you're right: the cost of a package design <em>should</em> be minimal on a per-unit basis. But it is a factor, especially when you consider it in combination with many of the other branding, advertising and marketing costs companies incur to get us to notice their products. <br /><br />But you're getting at the central point of this post: how much is packaging really important to us as consumers, how much are we manipulated by it, and to what extent is it worth any extra cost? Is a product really more valuable to consumers if it becomes more noticeable? I don't know. <br /><br />DKDanielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02388302796031288076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-34152149974973657012011-12-01T11:10:11.798-08:002011-12-01T11:10:11.798-08:00Some really interesting feedback so far.
Regardi...Some really interesting feedback so far. <br /><br />Regarding Allison's point, there is nothing wrong with supporting companies in this way. To me, that's just being mindful in your purchasing decisions. So I hear that. But, still, the consumer ends up paying for any incremental cost, either now, or in the form of possible future price increases. And for me at least, design and packaging is much less important with commodity food staples. That's really the issue as far as I see it. However, I hear you and I take your point. <br /><br />Chacha: Just checking to see which readers actually scroll to the very end of my posts. :) And PS: The price and the package size stayed the same... so far. <br /><br />Katie Mack: Great point: the new package design <em>would</em> make a stealth price hike harder to detect. That's a good insight--thanks for sharing it. <br /><br />DKDanielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02388302796031288076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-64351116324168890172011-12-01T09:24:09.208-08:002011-12-01T09:24:09.208-08:00I agree with Katie Mack in that it could be part o...I agree with Katie Mack in that it could be part of a stealth price increase. You would have been all over that, so I assume the package size stayed the same.<br /><br />The other reason I thought of for the package change was to increase its visibility on the store shelves--either in comparison to its old package, to other brands or just to make it appear "new" and noticible.<br /><br />I typically don't get too upset with the occasional repackaging, as long as it's not tied to a stealth price increase. The incremental cost to one package is minimal and it might draw my attention to something I've been overlooking.Walternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-23544410531010953922011-12-01T02:46:26.702-08:002011-12-01T02:46:26.702-08:00Great post, I read this at work yesterday and didn...Great post, I read this at work yesterday and didn't get the chance to comment. <br /><br />You are correct, the consumer will ultimately pay for this new "marketing strategy". And I fully admit to be susceptible to fun packaging! I would guess in this case that they are going for the whole "orzo is healthy for you, look we're putting vegetables on the box!" vibe. I agree with chacha, I like the old box better.<br /><br />One thing that raises a red flag with me...the weight is now obscured with a pretty picture of food. No longer does it shout out 16 OZ against a dark blue background! Was the weight still the same on the new box? This new packaging allows them to change the weight and go virtually unnoticed.Katie Mackhttp://www.splendidself.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-34813917913591230322011-11-30T13:28:08.686-08:002011-11-30T13:28:08.686-08:00Nice toes, Dan!
I like the old package better; it...Nice toes, Dan!<br /><br />I like the old package better; it's simpler. If I were the marketing maven, I'd have just quietly changed the al dente cooking time recommendation and left the rest of it alone.<br /><br />What I'm really curious about is ... was the new package's price actually higher?chacha1http://www.ombailamos.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-504190433885621312011-11-30T10:25:23.487-08:002011-11-30T10:25:23.487-08:00Looks to me like they wanted to include a green ve...Looks to me like they wanted to include a green vegetable to give the buyer the feeling that the product is "fresh." I actually think the new design makes the package looks smaller and therefore a worse value.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-3084934862118789012011-11-30T09:43:30.257-08:002011-11-30T09:43:30.257-08:00I don't really care. I try not to buy based on...I don't really care. I try not to buy based on packaging. (I'd probably skip this all together because it isn't whole wheat...)<br />I agree, it is prettier!<br /><br />Meanwhile, once upon a time ago, I had toffee chips (not to be confused with Heath chips) in a golden bag. The had THE BEST oatmeal toffee chip cookies recipe on the back - I haven't been able to find those toffee chips in soooo long. (& I really just want the recipe.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-89052952177261413342011-11-30T06:46:05.805-08:002011-11-30T06:46:05.805-08:00Oh Dan! Because the new box is prettier! That...Oh Dan! Because the new box is prettier! That's why! It depends on what matters to you. I love design and I'll be the first to admit that I'm a complete sucker for packaging. I, on a regular basis, buy a product because of the packaging. Now I'm sure you're once again shouting, "Why?" Because I like to support companies that support good design. That's important to me. I literally am happier when I use something that I love looking at. <br /><br />By the way...I'm writing this on my very cute Mac laptop!<br /><br />Your cousin, AllisonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com