fpm brief

The FPM Brief, a new series of articles on consumer CPG research and behavior, highlights how research insights fuel creative intelligence in packaging design, branding, and marketing. By analyzing consumer interactions and purchasing drivers, we reveal strategies that enable brands to connect authentically with their audience, empowering them to stand out in today’s competitive market.

Read one of our latest articles

Designing Tomorrow: Navigating the Frontiers of Intelligent Design in 2025

Costco Success Starts Here: How to Make Your Product Buyer-Ready

Breaking into Costco is a major milestone for any brand. High-volume sales, national visibility, and a loyal membership base make this store a giant in the CPG realm. But getting there requires more than a great product. At FPM, we specialize in guiding brands through the design, packaging, and presentation standards needed to impress Costco buyers and stand out in the competitive market.

01. how fpm helps you get costco-ready

Packaging Design That Meets Costco Standards – We create bold, disruptive, retail-optimized packaging that meets Costco’s size, visibility, and communication requirements.
Club-Store Displays & Pallet Design – Costco often requires custom pallet skirts, multi-packs, and large-format displays. Our team develops on-brand solutions that pass buyer review.
Brand Positioning that Resonates – Costco members look for trust, value, and quality. We help refine your messaging so your product instantly connects.
Buyer-Ready Sales Assets – From sell sheets to mockups, we prepare everything you need for buyer meetings and line reviews.
A Seamless, Guided Process – Whether you’re pitching, preparing for review, or updating packaging, FPM keeps the process smooth, strategic, and aligned with Costco expectations.

02. important things to know before launching into costco

Entering Costco is different from selling in traditional retail. Here are a few essential considerations:

Packaging formats must fit club-store rules – Costco prioritizes large-format or multi-pack products that communicate value at a glance.
Clear, immediate communication is key – Shoppers scan quickly—your packaging must work hard from five steps away.
Costco buyers expect a strong brand story – Consistency across your packaging, display, and marketing materials is crucial.
Operational accuracy matters – Specs, safety copy, nutritional panels, and pallet dimensions must be flawless.

(These are just the basics. FPM can guide you through the details and help you avoid costly mistakes. Contact us to learn more!)

03. products we’ve helped launch into costco

Featuring brands that collaborate with FPM to bring their products into Costco stores.

ready to start your costco journey?

Whether you’re preparing your first pitch or finalizing packaging before rollout, FPM is here to help you succeed. Click below to get started on your project.

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until next time,

Other research you might be interested in

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As we move through a season that puts gratitude front and center, it’s the perfect moment to explore how appreciation isn’t just a feel-good gesture, it’s one of the simplest, most powerful ways to strengthen your brand. Today, we’re sharing three research-backed ways gratitude helps turn casual customers into loyal advocates.

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5 Packaging Worries Every Founder Has

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Shelf Science: What Actually Gets Picked Up?

In today’s competitive retail landscape, the science behind what gets noticed and what gets purchased, extends far beyond attractive packaging. Shelf science combines elements of psychology, design, and consumer behavior to understand how shoppers make decisions in-store. From color placement to eye-level positioning, every detail is engineered to influence attention and, ultimately, drive conversion.

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Augmented Reality (AR) Packaging

Augmented Reality (AR) is revolutionizing packaging design in 2024, offering consumers futuristic and immersive experiences that captivate and engage. This week, we explore how AR is transforming consumer interactions with products, particularly in the technology sector.

Smart Packaging

As we move further into the digital age, the role of packaging is expanding beyond traditional functions. The integration of IoT (Internet of Things) elements into packaging is not just an innovation; it is a fundamental shift in how we perceive and interact with products. We live in an age where packaging designs can be intelligent, sustainable, and aesthetically advanced.

AI-Enhanced Packaging Design Processes

In today’s rapidly evolving professional landscape, the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping every industry. In packaging design, AI is emerging as a game-changer, enhancing creativity, optimizing workflows, and generating design variations based on consumer insights and preferences. This synergy between AI and human intelligence is setting the stage for a new era of design innovation.

The Art and Science of Packaging — Interactive Packaging Design

Packaging design is evolving rapidly, shifting from a static form to an interactive experience. In our fast-paced, media-driven society, consumers are no longer passive recipients; they are active participants who influence and are influenced by the products they use. This paradigm shift has led to the rise of interactive packaging design, a cutting-edge approach that prioritizes user experience and fosters a reciprocal relationship between consumers and products.

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Intelligent Packaging and Blockchain

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Minimalist vs. Maximalist Packaging Design

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In today's eco-conscious market, companies are leveraging color to convey sustainability messages effectively. Natural hues, particularly green, have become synonymous with eco-friendliness. However, recent research reveals that the saturation of these colors significantly impacts consumer perceptions of a product's sustainability.

Nostalgic Packaging Design

Nostalgia, that bittersweet longing for the past, has become a powerful tool in marketing, particularly in packaging design. It serves as a visual time machine, transporting consumers to earlier eras and creating immediate connections with their personal histories. Whether it’s the vibrant and psychedelic aesthetics of the 1960s or the bold, neon-soaked styles of the 1980s, retro-inspired packaging resonates deeply with consumers. For older demographics, this connection is even more poignant, allowing them to relive cherished memories from their youth.

How Visual Crowding in Packaging Sparks Consumer Desire to Buy

In the realm of packaging aesthetics, a fascinating phenomenon known as white space plays a crucial role in how design elements interact with their surroundings. White space refers to the amount of empty space around a message or design element. Some packaging designs, like Apple's iconic approach, embrace generous white space to evoke simplicity and elegance. In contrast, other designs, such as Kraft's Macaroni and Cheese packaging, venture into reduced white space, creating a vibrant and visually intense tapestry where images and text closely intertwine.

Crossmodal Correspondences — How Visual Shapes Influence Taste Perceptions

The association between visual shapes and taste perceptions has long captivated sensory psychologists and packaging designers. One particularly intriguing observation is that individuals often associate curved and symmetrical shapes with sweetness, while angular and asymmetrical shapes are more commonly linked to other basic tastes such as sourness, bitterness, saltiness, and umami. This phenomenon, known as crossmodal correspondence, highlights the intricate interplay between visual and gustatory stimuli.

Creative Design Process — It’s All About Intuition

Graphic designers seamlessly blend images, typography, and interactive media to craft compelling messages and user experiences. But where do their ideas originate, and how do they transform them into designs? While intuition is often cited as a crucial element, the specifics of how graphic designers harness it remain somewhat mysterious.

Exploring the Emotional Connection Between Product Shapes and Nostalgia

Marketing research highlights the intricate relationship between nostalgia, consumer preferences for product shapes, and the underlying mechanism of social connectedness. Understanding how nostalgia influences these preferences is crucial for designers aiming to create appealing and effective products.

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