Instore SFP training focuses on last 50 metres

The 2012 Australian Institute of Packaging/IGD instore shelf friendly packaging (SFP) training helped 70 packaging technologists, engineers and designers understand the complexities and difficulties that poor SFP design causes for store fillers and staff.

The hands-on training was held at several Woolworths stores and focused on the last 50 metres of the SFP supply chain and included three practical exercises that demonstrated what SFP works and what doesn’t - and, most importantly, why.

Attendees at the Thornleigh SFP training in NSW

Attendees learnt that tape-over perforations, poor gluing of boxes, perforations that don’t open, lack of finger holes, poor design and identification of front edges and poor-quality corrugate are some of the reasons why SFP is not used instore.

One attendee commented, “At the end of the day, much of the shelf friendly packaging in Australia is not fit for purpose and needs to be redesigned.”

The AIP said, “The training was an invaluable way for packaging technologists and designers to truly understand the last 50 metres and to ensure that their SFP designs are fit for purpose.”

The training was held across three states in one week, with sessions held at Woolworths stores in Thornleigh (NSW), Preston (Vic) and Mt Ommaney (Qld).