Meet Us in Atlantic City they did!



The aftermath from hurricane Sandy sure didn’t disrupt the success of the Philly Candy Show earlier this month!  Our new products showcased in the New Product Roundup at the show entrance created a steady flow of traffic to our booth.  Our exclusive products, the Wine Hanger and Cello Caddy were again the most sought after and talked about products on the trade show floor!  Tap has gained quite a reputation for creating “out of the box” products to help confectioners set themselves apart from the competition and grow their business and this show was no exception!

We received rave reviews for our new strawberry and pretzel boxes with clear plastic lids and our 3 dimensional, single, strawberry was a huge hit!  We have also added a gable box, truffle slide and low profile auto bottom box to our line. It was exciting to see all the interest in our new products and great to talk to our customers face to face.

The success stories keep coming in from those of you who have taken our Wine Hangers to your local wineries.  Many have been able to create lucrative partnerships with these wineries and have seen a nice growth in their truffle business!  We even had one customer who showcased her truffles in the Wine Hanger at a local artisan event and was approached by 3 vineyards wanting to carry her truffles.  Another customer now sells an entire assortment of her confections in a local wine shop!

Much of the inspiration for our “out of the box” products comes from conversations with you and we value your input.  We strive to offer you the products you want to continue to grow your businesses and understand the importance of differentiating yourself from your competition.  This is what has made our confection line the fastest growing product line in the industry! 

If you missed the show, be sure to check out our website and “Like Us” on Facebook, at Tap Packaging Solutions Confections, to save 10% on your next stock product order.  We are already working on our next round of new products due to launch at the RCI show this June in Cincinnati! 

Happy 2013!  Now that you have survived the Christmas holiday rush, and have hopefully taken some time to rest and regoup, it's time to prepare for Valentine's Day!  Now is the perfect time to order your Valentine's Day packaging. We have a wide variety of holiday specific items to help create excitement in your stores.  From our exclusive Wine Hangers and Cello Caddies to our uniquely designed 6 Corner and Locking Flap box, we can help you turn your store into an irresistable temptation for all  your Valentine's Day shoppers.

Treat yourself this Valentine's Day too ~ Save 10% on your next stock product order.  Simply "Like Us" on Facebook at Tap Packaging Solutions Confections and SAVE!
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Tap-Packaging-Solutions-Confections/147152372027333?fref=ts

The Power of Packaging Doesn't Stop at the Store

The Power of Packaging Doesn’t Stop at the Store

Make Sure Your Product’s Vessel Makes a Brand’s First (and Second) Impression

By:  Steve Kazanjian, VP Global Creative, MWV

As marketers focus on using social media to create connected, highly personalized brand experiences, they may easily overlook another critical touchpoint:  product packaging.

In today’s fragmented marketing environment, packaging is far more than a product’s vessel; it is the physical manifestation of a brand experience and an important part of a brand promise.  As such, packaging should be a critical piece of a brand’s integrated communication strategy.

Just consider that 100% of a brand’s purchasers interact with its packaging.  Each time they touch it, hold it, open it, store it and dispose of it is a moment to create a brand impression.  For example, the cork bottle stopper for Grey Goose Vodka cues the consumer into a connoisseur experience and helps drive a higher price point.  Would the brand belief be as effective with a screw cap?  When consumers buy freshly squeezed orange juice, they look for a clear, blow-molded bottle because that connotes “fresh,” whereas a gable-top carton says “pasteurized.”  And finally, Johnson’s Baby Shampoo’s newly redesigned bottle enhances the “No More Tears” positioning with its soft curves, gentle, transparent label and cap, and clear bottle that imply that there’s literally nothing to hide.

These subtle visual and emotional cues can have a profound effect on a company’s ability to deliver the rich experiences consumers seek and earn their loyalty.

5 tips: 

1. Integrate packaging into your communications strategy
2. Design for in home shopability.  Do your products stand out in a crowded pantry or freezer?
3. Aim for the “past-purchase” list.  Good packaging helps earn loyalty from online customers.
4. Package your talent.  The consumer products world is littered with beautiful packaging designs that were too impractical to make and ineffective packaging that was easy manufacture.  Striking the balance between good design and practical packaging takes a careful blend of consumer insights with marketing, manufacturing and design talent.
5. Observe.  Become mindful of the subtle language of packaging.  When you buy something, what about the packaging helped make that product emotionally relevant?

Influencing consumers to buy a product is half the battle.  Getting consumers to use it when they take it home (and therefore increase the likelihood they’ll buy it again) is the other.  Packaging can make the difference.  If a product looks appealing and is practical to store in a consumer’s pantry or freezer, it can easily become part of the “three Rs” – routines, rituals and regimens.

For example, let’s say that I purchase a multipack of Coca-Cola.  It is important that the packaging inspires me to put all the cans into the fridge (and not the pantry) because most consumers are as unlikely to drink a warm Coke as a warm beer.  The more cans in the fridge, the more opportunities for consumption.  And therein lies the beauty of the FridgeMaster.  Not only is it the only self-oriented marketing billboard in the fridge, but also it enables consumers to put all the cans in the fridge.  The packaging and the product work together seamlessly to help the consumer navigate, select and consume the product.

Conversely, let’s say I purchase a frozen meal in the ubiquitous folded carton.  In the store, the package is arranged beautifully, with an attractive photo of the contents on the front.  However, what happens when I get it home?  I store it sideways with all the other boxed frozen meals.  The appetizing front-facing graphics aren’t visible.  Our research shows that less than one in five consumers preplan dinners; what they do instead is “shop” their freezers to decide what to have for dinner.  So the packaging that stands out in a crown wins.

Of course, with the proliferation of online shopping, there are some who say packaging isn’t as important—companies can save a ton of money by putting everything in a generic box or bottle and shipping it off, right?  Nothing could be further from the truth.

The most powerful force influencing online purchasing decision is a consumer’s “past purchases” list.  Brands may have to do more target marketing to get on that list, but once they’re there, they’ve uncovered the Holy Grail.  Once a product gets home, the packaging can facilitate an emotional connection between the brand and the consumer.  So the consumer will keep buying it.  Conversely, if the packaging and product don’t make good on that brand promise, consumers will take you off that list.  And once you’re off it, you will not get back on.

Whether consumers are shopping online or in their own pantries, packaging plays a critical role in forging their connections with a brand.  In a crowded marketplace, there may be only one opportunity to create a brand impression.  Make it count.

Packaging Matters ~ Especially for the Holidays!

The old saying “a book can’t be judged by its cover” does not apply to the presentation of holiday gifts.  The way a gift is packaged speaks volumes as to whether or not the giver cared enough to take the time to make the gift special.

Let’s face it, in today’s hectic society, not everyone has the time to add their own personal touch to wrapping gifts.  Just look at the lines at the gift wrap stations in your local malls and stores!  Today’s shoppers want credit for giving the prettiest, most thoughtful gift without having to put forth the effort.  In this age of instant gratification, shoppers are drawn to gifts that can be packaged beautifully when they purchase so that they can truly be “finished” shopping.

Providing unique, artistically designed boxes for your confections is a great way to boost  holiday sales.  Chocolate and other confections have become a staple gift for the holidays that many have come to expect.  Because of this, shoppers looking to gift candy are searching for something different ~ something that will make their gift seem anything but ordinary.

Your chance to grab a shopper’s attention, and ultimately their holiday shopping dollars in now!  Turn your tasty treats into unique gifts by adding a Wine Hanger, a beautiful designed and printed box or a Cello Caddy.  A little attention to detail on your part will translate into big profits!  Show your customers that your confections are worthy of exceptional packaging and offer them a package that will show their family and friends they care.

Happy Selling!

Ready or Not , Here Come the Holidays!

With each passing year it seems as though the holiday season is in our faces earlier and earlier!  How many of you were hit with the somewhat unsettling reality when you walked through your local retailer the first week of October?  Gone are the days of stores setting up Christmas after Halloween all in an effort to grab those precious holiday sales.

In some instances, the early bird does get the worm, but today’s shoppers are drawn to purchase more on impulse than anything else.  Research tells us that the average consumer decides whether or not to pick up a package in the store in a matter of seconds.  Therefore, making a strong first impression is crucial. 

Light up your holiday displays with Cello Caddies, auto bottom caddies designed to offer a uniquely creative alternative to delivering bagged candy.  As your customers strive to put that “extra twist” on a traditional gift, the Cello Caddy is the perfect solution.  Colorful, themed designs make perfect holiday gifts while saving you and your staff countless hours of righting your toppled bagged candy displays!

The Cello Caddy, a Tap exclusive, was the recipient of the Boxmaker award at the 2012 North American Paperboard Packaging Competition this month.  The caddies are available in 3 holiday designs and 3 solid colors and can be foil stamped with your store logo to help promote your brand.

For more information or to place an order call 800-827-5679 or visit http://www.tappackagingsolutions.com/confectionary/cellocaddy.page

Recession Proof Products ~ Chocolate and Wine!

Some products are proving recession-proof

 "It's not all doom and gloom in the U.S. economy. Some products are bucking the recession and flying off store shelves."

"Sales of chocolate and running shoes are up. Wine drinkers haven't stopped sipping; they just seem to be choosing cheaper vintages."

"People are much more focused on their homes and their immediate happiness and they're buying things that they can use themselves - seeds, fishing equipment. Lipstick and chocolate are small rewards that make you feel better."

"People are not drinking as much beer or wine at bars and restaurants, but they haven't stopped drinking. The Wine Institute says that despite the recession, U.S. sales of California wines totaled about 467 million gallons last year - 2 percent more than the year before. But people are looking more closely at cheaper selections: The overall retail value of California wine sales fell slightly from 2007, the institute said."

These are just a few points from the article published in the Lubbock Avalanche- Journal, further strengthening our confection market and giving us reason to continue to look for new and different ways to increase our profits. 

Wine and chocolate continually stand the economic down turns.  Take advantage of every opportunity to find those new and innovative packaging ideas that further enhance the appeal of your confections!  Our Wine Hangers offer a great opportunity to partner with wineries to grow your business.

More Reasons to Eat Chocolate!

Top 11 Chocolate Myths

By Melissa Breyer, Mother Nature Network

Shine Food - Fri, Sep 21, 2012

By Melissa Breyer, Mother Nature Network

The Latin name for the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, means "food of the gods," and it does seem that the fruit of the tree and its delicious derivatives are indeed fit for the deities.

Both the Mayans and Aztecs believed the cacao bean had magical and divine attributes, appropriate for service in even the most sacred rituals of birth, marriage and death. By the 17th century, chocolate in drinking form was a fashionable quaff for the European elite, who believed it to have nutritious, medicinal and aphrodisiac properties. It's been said that Casanova was especially enamored by its charms.

And the love affair has yet to wane. Chocolate manufacturing is a more than $4 billion industry in the United States alone, and the average American eats at least half a pound of the confectionery every month.

But chocolate is a funny thing. In recent years it has become the darling of nutritionists as health benefit after health benefit has been revealed - most notably that it lowers the risk of stroke and heart attacks. Yet, it's long been the character actor bad guy in any number of scenarios, including acne, weight gain and high cholesterol.

But is chocolate's bad reputation warranted? Should we be embracing it as a miracle food, or shunning it as a deleterious delight? Here's the dope on chocolate's most notorious myths.

1. Chocolate raises bad cholesterol
If you've given up chocolate in the name of lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol, you may have been unwittingly sacrificing the sweet treat for nothing. Quelle tragique! While it's true that chocolate contains cocoa butter, which is high in saturated fat, much of the fat comes from stearic acid, which doesn't act like saturated fat. Studies have shown that chocolate does not raise bad cholesterol, and in fact for some people, chocolate actually lowers cholesterol levels.

RELATED: Chocolate eaters are slimmer, says study

2. Chocolate is high in caffeine
Contrary to popular belief, chocolate is not loaded with the jitter-inducing compound known as caffeine. A Hershey's chocolate bar contains 9 milligrams of caffeine and a Hershey's Special Dark bar contains 31 milligrams, as compared to the 320 milligrams found in a Starbuck's grande brewed coffee. Darker varieties are higher in caffeine, it's true, but not as high as many people think.

3. The sugar in chocolate causes hyperactivity
Excessive sugar causes kids to jump off the walls, bounce off the ceiling, and generally mimic a rogue helicopter, right? So we thought. But more than a dozen good-quality studies have failed to find any link between sugar in children's diets and hyperactive behavior. Two theories: It's the environment that creates the excitability (birthday parties, holidays, etc) and/or that the connection is simply in the minds of the parents expecting hyper behavior following sugar-fueled revelries.

4. People with diabetes have to give up chocolate
Chocolate does not need to be completely avoided by people with diabetes. In fact, many are often surprised to learn that chocolate has a low glycemic index. Recent studiessuggest that dark chocolate may actually improve insulin sensitivity in people with normal and high blood pressure and improve endothelial dysfunction in people with diabetes. Of course, always check with your doctor before ripping open the Ritter wrapper.

RELATED: Hugh Jackman adds chocolate to charity biz

5. Chocolate causes tooth decay and cavities
A study investigating the development of plaque from chocolate found that chocolate has less of an effect on dental plaque than pure table sugar. Of course, most of us aren't snacking on straight sugar, but another study backed it up when it showed no association between eating chocolate and getting cavities. In fact, a study from Osaka University in Japan found that parts of the cocoa bean, the main ingredient of chocolate, thwart mouth bacteria and tooth decay. Fighting cavities never tasted so good.

6. Chocolate makes you gain weight Of course it does. Well, not necessarily. Obviously, monumental hot fudge sundaes aren't going to do your waistline any favors, but a large study funded by the National Institutes of Health found this: Consuming a small amount of chocolate each of five days during a week was linked to a lower BMI, even if the person ate more calories overall and didn't exercise more than other participants. Hello, chocolate diet.

7. Eating sugar and chocolate can add to stress
A study found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed.

8. Chocolate lacks nutritional value
If you've seen any of the deluge of scientific studies touting the health benefits of chocolate, you know this is not true. But just how nutritious is chocolate? It has bona fide superfood status. A typical dark chocolate bar contains as much antioxidant capacity as 2 3/4 cups of green tea, 1 glass of red wine, or 2/3 cup of blueberries. In addition, chocolate also contains minerals and dietary fiber.

9. Chocolate must contain at least 70 percent cacao to be good for you
The general recommendation is to consume dark chocolate with a minimum of 70 percent cacao to reap the health benefits; in general, the darker the chocolate, the higher the antioxidant content. However, in one 18-week study, participants who ate a small amount of 50 percent cacao chocolate experienced a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. As well, another study showed short-term improvements in blood flow and blood pressure after consumption of a 60 percent cacao dark chocolate.

10. Chocolate is an aphrodisiac
The Aztecs may have been the first to believe in the connection between chocolate and amorous feelings - Montezuma is said to have consumed large amounts to enhance his romantic forays, and Casanova imbibed pre-seduction as well. But numerous studieshave yet to find conclusive evidence that chocolate physically gets the fires burning. That said, chocolate is sensual to eat, lowers stress, and may have aphrodisiac qualities that are psychological in origin.

11. Chocolate causes acne
Although any teen will tell you that chocolate causes acne, studies going as far back as the 1960s have failed to show any relationship between chocolate consumption and acne. An extensive review in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that "diet plays no role in acne treatment in most patients … even large amounts of chocolate have not clinically exacerbated acne."

The moral of the story is: Eat chocolate! Alas, eat it in moderation. An average 3-ounce bar of milk chocolate has 420 calories and 26 grams of fat, almost as much as a Big Mac - and that's a fact.