Your Package Is Media: Nostalgia Pops, Glow Scans, Minimal Reads Fast
3D Color Pack Pulse Week of October 6th
- Diet Coke: Lime returns in neon retro cans
- Domino’s: Brighter, simpler pizza box graphics
- Raising Cane’s: Glow cup + QR-powered VR game
- Target: Tear strips added to owned-brand packs for easier open
- SkinMedica: Luxe copper packaging system
- Doritos: Gingerbread flavor in 180g share bags
Seven quick hits you can swipe:
Diet Coke Lime returns, now in neon retro
The Story: Diet Coke brings back Retro Diet Coke Lime for a limited run in 12‑pack 12‑oz cans and 20‑oz bottles. Packaging leans bright lime graphics with vintage cues and is available through December 31 while supplies last. The Coca-Cola Company
Why It’s Interesting: Nostalgia is a velocity hack when the read is instant. The loud lime panel pops in coolers and mixed displays. LTO scarcity invites multi‑buy without a deep promo. Design-wise, the pack tells you taste and time window at a glance.
What to borrow: Ship one throwback design per quarter that telegraphs flavor and “collect me” value.
Link: Coca‑Cola Company: Retro Diet Coke Lime returns
Coca‑Cola shrinks serves for c‑stores
The Story: Coca‑Cola will push 7.5‑oz minis into convenience, aiming at affordable sips and portion control. The format broadens flavors and recruits value‑seeking shoppers.
Why It’s Interesting: Smaller packs open a $1–$2 price ladder that converts add‑on buys. Minis improve cold vault productivity with more facings per door. For operations, a consistent can footprint simplifies shelf sets and promo builds.
What to borrow: Right‑size your hero SKU for c‑store missions to unlock an entry price and basket add.
Link: Food Dive: Coca‑Cola to roll out single‑serve minis in c‑stores
Raising Cane’s glow cup doubles as a digital portal
The Story: Raising Cane’s drops a limited glow‑in‑the‑dark 32‑oz cup and a QR‑linked VR “haunted” experience, available through October 31. The cup can be added for $1.39 with a combo or large drink.
Why It’s Interesting: The cup is a souvenir and a game pass in one. A simple QR on cup and in‑store signage drives an always‑on engagement loop with instant rewards. Glow ink (phosphors that charge under light) reads from six feet in dark venues.
What to borrow: Add a QR mini‑game with instant freebies to your seasonal drinkware to boost repeat visits.
Link: Houston Chronicle: Raising Cane’s Halloween glow cup and VR experience
Target bakes accessibility into owned‑brand packs
The Story: Target reports tear strips and redesigned locking features across owned‑brand packaging after reviews with an occupational therapist to make items easier to open.
Why It’s Interesting: Easier‑open packs reduce frustration and returns while widening the shopper base. Accessibility moves from claim to visible design signal at shelf. Simple mechanics like low‑force locks and clear starts improve first‑open delight.
What to borrow: Run usability reviews with an OT and implement low‑force openings as a design standard.
Link: Packaging Dive: Target evolves packaging accessibility in 2024 report
SkinMedica refreshes with a copper color story
The Story: AbbVie’s SkinMedica debuts a reimagined visual system with a refreshed logo, modernized layout, and a luxe copper palette alongside a new HA5 Hydra‑Collagen moisturizer.
Why It’s Interesting: A disciplined color story organizes the regimen and telegraphs premium cues on shelf and online. Unified geometry plus metallic tones signal efficacy without adding copy clutter. Clean architecture speeds recognition in crowded beauty bays.
What to borrow: Define a signature hue and finishes per tier so shoppers read benefit and price from color alone.
Link: AbbVie Newsroom: SkinMedica unveils reimagined packaging
Domino’s gives its pizza boxes a brighter, simpler read
The Story: Domino’s introduces a more minimal, high‑impact box system, with brighter colors and simplified graphics that lean on its core domino icon.
Why It’s Interesting: Cleaner panels improve stack recognition for delivery and front‑of‑house. A bold icon system scales across sizes without new dielines. Fewer print elements can trim cost, speed runs, and improve OEE.
What to borrow: Strip your shipper and box to the icon plus one color so it reads fast in a pile.
Link: Domino’s IR: New craveable brand refresh and packaging
Doritos goes sweet with Gingerbread
The Story: PepsiCo launches Doritos Gingerbread as a first‑ever Christmas flavor, in 180g share bags, landing from October 6 across major retailers.
Why It’s Interesting: Sweet‑savory crossovers spark talk value and trial baskets. Seasonal novelty keeps facings fresh as holiday sets reset weekly. Pack art can carry the festive code even in secondary placements. Shoppers post it because it is unexpected.
What to borrow: Use one audacious seasonal SKU to earn organic social and incremental displays.
Link: FoodBev: Doritos Gingerbread headlines PepsiCo’s festive snack range
If you are ready to bring these ideas to life across your portfolio, contact 3D Color at bob.jennings@3dcolor.com to see how rapid packaging comps and color-correct samples can help you seize cultural moments, test new formats, and accelerate your next big idea.
