Insulated Bottles and Food Containers
Insulated Bottles and Food Containers
With many outdoor adventures getting shortened in today’s fast-paced world, food and drink prep is shifting to the home kitchen. Read this SNEWS Retail College to help consumers find the right solutions to keep their pre-prepared nourishments hot or cold until they’re ready to break for a meal.
PHOTO COURTESY STANLEY
PHOTOS BY (FROM TOP) COURTESY OF EXPED, MARMOT
HOW TO SELL
THERE’S NOTHING LIKE COLD COFFEE TO MAKE SOMEONE CURSE AN ineffective mug. Outdoor adventures may be shortening, but active consumers are packing more into each day than ever before, including pre-prepared food and drinks they expect to be warm or cool come mealtime. To that end, insulated bottles, mugs and food containers are on the rise at outdoor specialty retail, with a larger variety of products for different situations and environments available. Note: We’re not talking coolers here — that topic will be for another Retail College chapter — rather, we’re focusing on smaller items that customers throw in their pack, cupholder or bike bottle cage.
TECH TALK While you don’t want to bog down customers with bunch of technical jargon about what keeps their food and drinks hot or cold right off the bat, it’s important to know the different technologies to explain why one product might best suit the customer. In most food or drink containers,
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ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL As with a lot of outdoor gear, the first objective with a customer searching for insulated food or drink containers is figure out what he or she will be using the product for: >>Are they setting out for a few hours, or the entire day? >>Are they looking to insulate food, liquids or both? >>Are they looking to keep things warm or cold? >>What activity will the product primarily be used for? Commuting? Day hiking? Backpacking? Ski touring? Once consumers realize the variety of products available, they’re often willing to buy more than just one, recognizing that different containers excel at different functions. An insulated mug with a sliding lid, for instance, is best for sipping hot drinks,
Safe Sipping There’s never been a safety issue with vacuum-insulated containers, since stainless steel doesn’t require any internal coatings. And the plastic used in most every doublewall construction sold at outdoor retail will be BPA-free. while a bottle with a spigot delivers cold drinks more quickly. And widemouth containers that are easy to dig into and clean are most appropriate for food. Help a customer think about an insulated product as another piece of gear they can rely on. From that perspective, they’ll likely see the value of spending a few more dollars on an item that will deliver long-term satisfaction. The bottom line: One quality container will outperform any number of the low-cost or free travel mugs that mysteriously seem to clone themselves overnight in kitchen cabinets. For car camping, day hikes or winter outings, vacuum-insulated bottles are a great choice. For a multiday backpacking trip where weight is more of a concern, a lighter double-walled container is a better option. Because vacuum insulation always uses stainless steel, bottles with it are usually heavier than double-walled containers. One caveat: If a customer is comparing weight between several bottles, point out that once the bottles are filled with liquid, the differences of an ounce or two becomes almost negligible. Maybe the customer wants an
Timing and Temperature Bottles and food containers are labeled with the amount of time they’ll keep their contents hot or cold. When testing their ratings, most manufacturers follow FDA guidelines, which state that cold products should be kept below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and hot ones at 140 degrees or more. A 16-ounce vacuum-insulated bottle, for example, will keep a drink warm for five or six hours. A food container with vacuum insulation will keep contents warm for anywhere between five to 15 hours, depending on the size of the container.
2
Stanley Adventure eCycle Nesting Food Containers
insulated container to use while commuting, but also plans on throwing it in a daypack for the occasional hike. A sleek, leakproof mug would fit the bill. On the other hand, if that mug is just going to sit on a desktop, a leakproof lid may not be as important. If a customer is looking to insulate food, make sure they pick a foodspecific container (more on that later). To keep food or liquid hot or cold for a full day (or even overnight), only vacuum insulation does the job. But for a couple of hours, a double-wall container may be completely adequate. Sometimes, it’s even preferable, like when a hot drink will be consumed relatively quickly. In that case, vacuum insulation may do too good of a job, keeping tea, for example, too hot to comfortably sip right away. Though all thermalware shares the same basic technology, items vary in weight, size, type of lid and accessory details, not to mention price. They also differ in how long they keep contents warm or cold. In general, the larger a vessel, the longer it will keep liquid or food hot or cold, as long as it’s filled to near-capacity. And, thanks to the laws of physics, insulated containers keep contents cold much longer than they keep them hot.
PHOTO COURTESY STANLEY
insulation is achieved by one of two constructions: double wall or vacuum. The goal is to minimize heat or cold traveling in or out of the container with non-conductive materials. >>Double wall insulation is pretty much as it sounds. Two stainless steel or plastic walls — or one of each — have a thin pocket of air in between to retain either heat or cold. Sometimes, an insulation material — typically polyurethane or a polystyrene, like Styrofoam — is used in the middle. >>Vacuum insulation sucks out the air between two stainless steel walls, eliminating the possibility of energy transfer between the molecules inside and outside the container. The process costs more than double wall, but it’s also five to six times more effective.
SNEWS RETAIL COLLEGE 2013
RetailCollege2013_Stanley.indd 2
7/12/13 12:25 PM
100 YEARS AND COUNTING Since day one, we’ve been making our bottles tough enough to last a century. But we haven’t been able to confirm it until now. This year we proudly celebrate our 100th anniversary.
BUILT FOR LIFE. STANLEY 4pgr_SN_RC.indd 3
www.stanley-pmi.com
7/15/13 3:54 PM
Practically every customer can relate to the cheapo camping mug that leaks coffee down their shirt even though they screwed the lid on tight. Higherquality outdoor products are much more likely to provide dribble-free delivery, and manufacturers continue to innovate to meet consumer demand for hassle-free lids and closures. Lids have become a big deal, in fact. It’s one of the biggest ways in which brands differentiate their products both from one another and from competitors. For example, lids may open with a push-button on the top or side of the bottle or have a flip-up spout. These-one handed operable lids are key for active customers, who need a quick sip, and then the security that their drink won’t leak in their pack or on their bike. Other bottles, which may be preferable for camping or picnics, include value-added accessories like a lid that doubles as a cup or a separate screw-on cup that nests over the lid. Speaking of cups, make sure lid cups or any stand-alone cups are
insulated, too. Boiling hot liquids in cheap, single-layer mugs not only lose heat but can burn hands. The way people carry around their bottles or mugs varies as well, and there are styles to match. Some are sized to fit in a bike bottle cage as well as a car cupholder. Others have clip-on handles to attach to bags or packs. And some are sleek and narrow to easily slide into a pack.
DURABILITY With insulated containers, there’s often a trade-off between weight and durability. Thinner-walled bottles may shave ounces, but if dropped, the vacuum seal could break or at the least, the bottle could dent. You can tell which bottles have thinner walls just by touch; the steel will have a slight amount of give and flexibility. If a customer only expects a bottle to last a year or two, or is particularly concerned about weight, thinner walls are fine. Beefier bottles and containers are more rugged and long lasting, and often cost more.
THE FOODIES’ CHOICE Not everyone understands that insulated bottles are really just for liquids; food vessels, in comparison, Stanley Infinite Mug and Bowl, left, and Classic Vacuum Bottle
Can I Carry My Beer in a VacuumInsulated Bottle? Not unless you want that beer to end up all over your pack or yourself. Too much internal pressure builds up within such a well-sealed container. To tote a carbonated drink, use a specialized item like a foam-insulated plastic bottle that accommodates the extra pressure with a rounded bottom, domed lid and heavy-duty threads on the lid. have wider profiles. To address the confusion, brands have focused on better labeling to distinguish between food and beverage containers. Generally, all insulated food containers use vacuum technology. One of the biggest differences among them is size. But the little details, especially when they add value, can seal the buying decision. Some containers include cups that you can eat from, and some even come with mini-utensils. Lids may include compartments for salt and pepper. Other points to consider for food: >>Is the opening wide enough to get food in and out easily? >>Can you eat from the bottom of the container without getting your hands messy? >>Does the container seem easy to clean? >>Is anything protruding that could get caught on something in your pack and inadvertently open the container? Whether someone wants to enjoy a hot meal in the backcountry or lunch at work, they can find just the right insulated food container, made easier with a little guidance. AUTHOR: Cindy Hirschfeld ART DIRECTOR: Jackie McCaffrey >> More free education: All retail staff members can get an annual SNEWS subscription for free ($195 value). Yes, your education is that important to us. To receive a gift pass, email [email protected].
4
PHOTO COURTESY STANLEY
PUT A LID — AND MORE — ON IT
SNEWS RETAIL COLLEGE 2013
RetailCollege2013_Stanley.indd 4
7/12/13 9:01 AM
With many outdoor adventures getting shortened in today’s fast-paced world, food and drink prep is shifting to the home kitchen. Read this SNEWS Retail College to help consumers find the right solutions to keep their pre-prepared nourishments hot or cold until they’re ready to break for a meal.
PHOTO COURTESY STANLEY
PHOTOS BY (FROM TOP) COURTESY OF EXPED, MARMOT
HOW TO SELL
THERE’S NOTHING LIKE COLD COFFEE TO MAKE SOMEONE CURSE AN ineffective mug. Outdoor adventures may be shortening, but active consumers are packing more into each day than ever before, including pre-prepared food and drinks they expect to be warm or cool come mealtime. To that end, insulated bottles, mugs and food containers are on the rise at outdoor specialty retail, with a larger variety of products for different situations and environments available. Note: We’re not talking coolers here — that topic will be for another Retail College chapter — rather, we’re focusing on smaller items that customers throw in their pack, cupholder or bike bottle cage.
TECH TALK While you don’t want to bog down customers with bunch of technical jargon about what keeps their food and drinks hot or cold right off the bat, it’s important to know the different technologies to explain why one product might best suit the customer. In most food or drink containers,
WWW.SNEWSNET.COM
RetailCollege2013_Stanley.indd 1
1
7/12/13 9:00 AM
ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL As with a lot of outdoor gear, the first objective with a customer searching for insulated food or drink containers is figure out what he or she will be using the product for: >>Are they setting out for a few hours, or the entire day? >>Are they looking to insulate food, liquids or both? >>Are they looking to keep things warm or cold? >>What activity will the product primarily be used for? Commuting? Day hiking? Backpacking? Ski touring? Once consumers realize the variety of products available, they’re often willing to buy more than just one, recognizing that different containers excel at different functions. An insulated mug with a sliding lid, for instance, is best for sipping hot drinks,
Safe Sipping There’s never been a safety issue with vacuum-insulated containers, since stainless steel doesn’t require any internal coatings. And the plastic used in most every doublewall construction sold at outdoor retail will be BPA-free. while a bottle with a spigot delivers cold drinks more quickly. And widemouth containers that are easy to dig into and clean are most appropriate for food. Help a customer think about an insulated product as another piece of gear they can rely on. From that perspective, they’ll likely see the value of spending a few more dollars on an item that will deliver long-term satisfaction. The bottom line: One quality container will outperform any number of the low-cost or free travel mugs that mysteriously seem to clone themselves overnight in kitchen cabinets. For car camping, day hikes or winter outings, vacuum-insulated bottles are a great choice. For a multiday backpacking trip where weight is more of a concern, a lighter double-walled container is a better option. Because vacuum insulation always uses stainless steel, bottles with it are usually heavier than double-walled containers. One caveat: If a customer is comparing weight between several bottles, point out that once the bottles are filled with liquid, the differences of an ounce or two becomes almost negligible. Maybe the customer wants an
Timing and Temperature Bottles and food containers are labeled with the amount of time they’ll keep their contents hot or cold. When testing their ratings, most manufacturers follow FDA guidelines, which state that cold products should be kept below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and hot ones at 140 degrees or more. A 16-ounce vacuum-insulated bottle, for example, will keep a drink warm for five or six hours. A food container with vacuum insulation will keep contents warm for anywhere between five to 15 hours, depending on the size of the container.
2
Stanley Adventure eCycle Nesting Food Containers
insulated container to use while commuting, but also plans on throwing it in a daypack for the occasional hike. A sleek, leakproof mug would fit the bill. On the other hand, if that mug is just going to sit on a desktop, a leakproof lid may not be as important. If a customer is looking to insulate food, make sure they pick a foodspecific container (more on that later). To keep food or liquid hot or cold for a full day (or even overnight), only vacuum insulation does the job. But for a couple of hours, a double-wall container may be completely adequate. Sometimes, it’s even preferable, like when a hot drink will be consumed relatively quickly. In that case, vacuum insulation may do too good of a job, keeping tea, for example, too hot to comfortably sip right away. Though all thermalware shares the same basic technology, items vary in weight, size, type of lid and accessory details, not to mention price. They also differ in how long they keep contents warm or cold. In general, the larger a vessel, the longer it will keep liquid or food hot or cold, as long as it’s filled to near-capacity. And, thanks to the laws of physics, insulated containers keep contents cold much longer than they keep them hot.
PHOTO COURTESY STANLEY
insulation is achieved by one of two constructions: double wall or vacuum. The goal is to minimize heat or cold traveling in or out of the container with non-conductive materials. >>Double wall insulation is pretty much as it sounds. Two stainless steel or plastic walls — or one of each — have a thin pocket of air in between to retain either heat or cold. Sometimes, an insulation material — typically polyurethane or a polystyrene, like Styrofoam — is used in the middle. >>Vacuum insulation sucks out the air between two stainless steel walls, eliminating the possibility of energy transfer between the molecules inside and outside the container. The process costs more than double wall, but it’s also five to six times more effective.
SNEWS RETAIL COLLEGE 2013
RetailCollege2013_Stanley.indd 2
7/12/13 12:25 PM
100 YEARS AND COUNTING Since day one, we’ve been making our bottles tough enough to last a century. But we haven’t been able to confirm it until now. This year we proudly celebrate our 100th anniversary.
BUILT FOR LIFE. STANLEY 4pgr_SN_RC.indd 3
www.stanley-pmi.com
7/15/13 3:54 PM
Practically every customer can relate to the cheapo camping mug that leaks coffee down their shirt even though they screwed the lid on tight. Higherquality outdoor products are much more likely to provide dribble-free delivery, and manufacturers continue to innovate to meet consumer demand for hassle-free lids and closures. Lids have become a big deal, in fact. It’s one of the biggest ways in which brands differentiate their products both from one another and from competitors. For example, lids may open with a push-button on the top or side of the bottle or have a flip-up spout. These-one handed operable lids are key for active customers, who need a quick sip, and then the security that their drink won’t leak in their pack or on their bike. Other bottles, which may be preferable for camping or picnics, include value-added accessories like a lid that doubles as a cup or a separate screw-on cup that nests over the lid. Speaking of cups, make sure lid cups or any stand-alone cups are
insulated, too. Boiling hot liquids in cheap, single-layer mugs not only lose heat but can burn hands. The way people carry around their bottles or mugs varies as well, and there are styles to match. Some are sized to fit in a bike bottle cage as well as a car cupholder. Others have clip-on handles to attach to bags or packs. And some are sleek and narrow to easily slide into a pack.
DURABILITY With insulated containers, there’s often a trade-off between weight and durability. Thinner-walled bottles may shave ounces, but if dropped, the vacuum seal could break or at the least, the bottle could dent. You can tell which bottles have thinner walls just by touch; the steel will have a slight amount of give and flexibility. If a customer only expects a bottle to last a year or two, or is particularly concerned about weight, thinner walls are fine. Beefier bottles and containers are more rugged and long lasting, and often cost more.
THE FOODIES’ CHOICE Not everyone understands that insulated bottles are really just for liquids; food vessels, in comparison, Stanley Infinite Mug and Bowl, left, and Classic Vacuum Bottle
Can I Carry My Beer in a VacuumInsulated Bottle? Not unless you want that beer to end up all over your pack or yourself. Too much internal pressure builds up within such a well-sealed container. To tote a carbonated drink, use a specialized item like a foam-insulated plastic bottle that accommodates the extra pressure with a rounded bottom, domed lid and heavy-duty threads on the lid. have wider profiles. To address the confusion, brands have focused on better labeling to distinguish between food and beverage containers. Generally, all insulated food containers use vacuum technology. One of the biggest differences among them is size. But the little details, especially when they add value, can seal the buying decision. Some containers include cups that you can eat from, and some even come with mini-utensils. Lids may include compartments for salt and pepper. Other points to consider for food: >>Is the opening wide enough to get food in and out easily? >>Can you eat from the bottom of the container without getting your hands messy? >>Does the container seem easy to clean? >>Is anything protruding that could get caught on something in your pack and inadvertently open the container? Whether someone wants to enjoy a hot meal in the backcountry or lunch at work, they can find just the right insulated food container, made easier with a little guidance. AUTHOR: Cindy Hirschfeld ART DIRECTOR: Jackie McCaffrey >> More free education: All retail staff members can get an annual SNEWS subscription for free ($195 value). Yes, your education is that important to us. To receive a gift pass, email [email protected].
4
PHOTO COURTESY STANLEY
PUT A LID — AND MORE — ON IT
SNEWS RETAIL COLLEGE 2013
RetailCollege2013_Stanley.indd 4
7/12/13 9:01 AM
