Packaging is not just about holding food; it is about selling convenience. Manufacturers know that shoppers are willing to pay a massive premium for products that are easier to use. They design specific packages that solve minor kitchen annoyances. These structural innovations often contain the same product as the standard version but cost significantly more per ounce. These eight package designs are engineering tricks that make you overpay instantly.
1. Built-In Grinder Caps
The spice aisle features bottles of peppercorns and sea salt with built-in plastic grinders. These disposable grinders are terrible for the environment. They are also a terrible value. You pay a huge markup for the plastic mechanism. Buying a permanent, refillable grinder and a bulk bag of peppercorns is a much smarter long-term investment.
2. Squeezable Sour Cream and Guacamole
Pouches of squeezable sour cream and guacamole have become popular. They prevent the need for a spoon and keep the product fresh. However, the price per ounce for the squeeze pouch is often double that of the standard plastic tub. You are paying a high price for the luxury of not washing a spoon.
3. Steam-in-Bag Vegetables
Frozen vegetables often come in special “steamable” bags. You can throw the entire bag directly into the microwave. This convenience comes at a cost. The price for a steam-in-bag product is often significantly higher than a standard bag of frozen peas or corn. You can achieve the same result by putting standard frozen veggies in a covered glass bowl.
4. “Thin” or “Crisp” Cookie Packs
Brands take a standard cookie, make it thinner, and sell it in a sleek, slim box. These “thins” are marketed as a lighter, more sophisticated snack. However, the net weight of the box is often much lower than the standard package. You are paying the same price (or more) for less product, simply because it is cut into a different shape.
5. Single-Serve Guacamole and Hummus Cups
Miniature cups of dip are perfect for lunchboxes. They are also an environmental and financial disaster. The price per ounce for these single-serving plastic cups is astronomical compared to a standard tub. You are paying for the plastic and the portioning machine, not the food.
6. Spray Oils and Vinegars
A can of olive oil spray is convenient for greasing a pan. However, these aerosols contain very little actual oil. You are paying for the propellant and the can. A reusable oil mister bottle that you fill yourself with bulk olive oil will save you money and reduce waste immediately.
7. Pre-Portioned Laundry Pods
Laundry pods are a dominant force in the cleaning aisle. They prevent the mess of measuring liquid detergent. They are also much more expensive per load than liquid or powder detergent. You are paying for the dissolvable film and the manufacturing process of creating the individual pods.
8. Resealable Cheese Blocks
Some brands of block cheese now come in a package with a built-in ziplock seal. While convenient, this feature often adds to the cost. A standard block of cheese, wrapped in cling wrap or placed in a reusable container, works just as well. The zipper is a small convenience that adds a noticeable markup to a staple item.
The Convenience Tax
Packaging innovation is often just a way to disguise a price increase. Manufacturers create a problem—like “messy spoons”—and sell you a solution in the form of expensive packaging. While these features can be helpful, they constitute a “convenience tax.” A savvy shopper knows that a little effort in the kitchen can save a lot of money at the grocery store.
Do you buy products specifically for their packaging convenience? Which packaging innovation do you think is worth the extra cost? Let us know!
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