Research Service

Package Testing / Optimization

packaging that
resonates

Good product packaging communicates volumes – telling your consumers who you are and what you stand for. We love helping clients develop packaging that aligns with their brand and resonates with consumers. 

C+R’s holistic approach supports clients at every stage of the packaging development process – whether you’re in the exploration and creation phase or ready to confirm your packaging approach in-context, we have the tools and the know-how to help.

explore / create

Goal: Understand consumers’ current packaging behaviors and perceptions to guide creative development of new/optimized packaging.

This phase is conducted qualitatively, such as  in-person or digital ethnographies and/or focus groups to get to the heart of consumers’ emotional and cognitive experiences. We recommend using these methods to observe how consumers use products and interact with current packaging to identify pain points. We can also gather reactions to competitive products to identify what works vs. what doesn’t.

Funnel / Refine

Goal: Funnel down concepts and optimize packaging prior to quantitative testing, with a focus on understanding the strength and weaknesses of packages (communication of key benefits, uniqueness, fit with the brand, relevance, etc.)

Methods in this phase are also qualitative in nature (typically including online qualitative discussions, online qualitative IHUT, and/or focus groups). Online or in-person packaging mark-up, eye tracking, shelf-set exercise with navigation recording, and video journals are tools that can also help pinpoint areas for refinement.

Optimize / Eliminate

Goal: Evaluate packaging designs against each other on key criteria: findability, delighters, barriers, package ability to deliver on brand positioning, fit with brand, etc., to optimize the packages. 

In this phase, methods typically include online quantitative surveys (approaches such as monadic, sequential monadic, and conjoint) and hybrid (qual-quant) approaches like LiveHive. We often use tools like the package highlighter, findability exercises, system 1, and eye tracking to provide  actionable results.

Confirm In-Context

Goal: Determine how well packaging captures consumers’ attention in a real-world setting; uncover where eyes go or don’t go.

During this phase, we use virtual and in-person shopping methods that serve both brick and mortar and digital environments with tools such as interactive shelf set, eye tracking, and more.

Proven Experience

featured package
testing case studies

Agile Qual-Quant Guides Portfolio Expansion

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Agile Research Case Study: Optimizing New Product…

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Leveraging Interactive Surveys for Packaging Renovation…

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I do want to say that this project again demonstrates why I have come to rely on C+R and recommend you so highly. When I get a report from you it’s complete, well-thought, and always client-ready. I really appreciate the partnership I have with you.

It was always a pleasure working with the team at C+R. I really appreciated your expertise and true partnership on every project.

Truly appreciate the strength of the partnership we have created with you. Thank you for being a consistent and reliable resource.

The report goes beyond answering the questions; it shows deep understanding of the needs of the client while ensuring the integrity of the design.  Thank you!

Thanks for one of the best reports I’ve received…. The quality of insights + deck writing > my expectations. The quality of voiceover/share out and process throughout has been my best experience to date.  C+R shows up as a team-always on time, supportive of one another, and provides quality insights vs basic stuff.

…We appreciate our open partnership and the constructive way we are building our relationship – we are enthusiastic when we think about future projects together!

You offer your knowledge in a way that never making anyone feel like they should have known “that” about the audience, treat it as an opportunity to educate in a friendly way.

I’m really proud of this team and so appreciate the partnership we’ve created. You’ve both done a fantastic job helping us start off this journey and I look forward to continuing to build our learning with you all!