In a bid to dispel the idea consumers only consider purchase of aesthetically pleasing products, UK’s Company Shop expects to sell over two million units of food and drink products in plain packaging this year. This comes after research at the University of Edinburgh found approximately four million tonnes of food products were wasted in the UK each year as a result of cosmetic standards and how customers perceive a product based on its packaging.
Company Shop has urged other suppliers also to increase efforts to find markets for surplus stock instead of wasting it. Most of the company’s products are sold in plain packaging with only the company logo displayed along with ingredient, nutritional, allergen information and a best before date. Consumer response to this packaging has been positive with sales recently increasing.
“We are delighted at these sales figures, which show that consumers are more willing to purchase ‘unpretty’ products that would otherwise have going to waste,” said Jane Marren, MD, Company Shop.
“By redistributing surplus, we provide commercial and social returns for our partners, great products at great prices for our members, and a real environmental solution that helps to tackle the UK’s food waste challenge.”
