TricorBraun, Oak Brook, Ill., USA, this week announced upcoming consumer research focus group sessions being held to discuss and gather packaging preferences and insight in nutraceutical and pain medication categories. The focus groups will participate in a discussion surrounding functionality, engagement, and visual appeal of dispensing closures (standard market size) for a variety of different types of nutraceuticals (vitamins, supplements and minerals).

These groups also will be providing feedback specific to functionality, engagement, and visual appeal of pocket packs (portable vessels) with CRC (Child Resistant Closures) for OTC (Over-The-Counter) pain medications.

The specific functionalities considered for each packaging alternative include the consumer's interface with the package (ease of use in opening/closing, security of the seal, and dosing). An independent market research company will moderate the discussion among groups over a two-day period. The demographic will include men and women and will be split into two age groups—25 to 45 and 46 to 70.

Insights gained from observing and engaging with consumers will reveal preferences for how they want to interact and use packaging. This insight allows TricorBraun packaging consultants the opportunity to better recommend available and meaningful packaging solutions. It also provides the design and engineering group with a foundation to develop custom packaging solutions with its development partners, which ultimately helps to evolve currently available packaging solutions. 

TricorBraun continues to invest in conducting consumer research in an effort to better understand consumer needs and behavior in a way that translates to meaningful development opportunities. In addition, this foundation of understanding allows TricorBraun to identify future design opportunities in the categories of nutraceuticals and OTC pain medications as well as crossover use in other categories.

According to Becky Donner, SVP of design and engineering at TricorBraun, "we continue to be committed to an exploration of consumer preferences to deliver insight-driven package solutions that are innovative, yet mindful of real world constraints. By looking inside the mind of the consumer and gleaning a picture of how and why they use products, we are able to elevate every aspect of packaging design to help you win on shelf and help consumers win at home."

TricorBraun Design & Engineering Group is a business unit of TricorBraun, a provider of rigid, corrugated, and flexible packaging. Its primary mission is to design, engineer, and manage the development, production, and commercialization of custom packaging solutions for personal care, cosmetics, healthcare, food and beverage, industrial household chemical, and animal health products. It is supported by TricorBraun's more than 40 offices globally, holding one of the largest inventories of rigid packaging components worldwide.