Global Pop (Point of Purchase) Display Market Growing at Healthy CAGR of 4.8% & Predicted to Garner $15.3 Billion by 2028. The global retail ready packaging market size was valued at USD 88.74 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 92.69 billion in 2024 to USD 140.02 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.29% during the forecast period.
Transitioning to SRP (Shelf Ready Packaging)
Transitioning to shelf-ready packaging involves careful consideration of primary packaging and on-shelf merchandising. When making this transition, consider the following:
- Merchant Requirements:
- Does your Merchant require your item(s) in SRP?
- Product Presentation:
- Can the item stand on its own on-shelf or in a shelf-ready package?
- Is the item currently merchandised on a peg hook?
- Standards Compliance:
- Is the item compliant with other relevant standards?
- Design Impact:
- How will the design of the SRP impact the primary packaging design and graphic elements?
- Required: All changes to primary packaging must be approved by the merchant.
Chapter Overview
The rest of this chapter is divided into two sections:
A. 5 Easies Standards:
Shelf Ready Packaging (SRP) is defined by the 5 Easies. Each Easy is a must, but the method of achievement may vary. Communication with the Merchant is required on these.
| Easy to identify |
| Easy to open |
| Easy to stock |
| Easy to shop |
| Easy disposal |
B. Application of the 5 Easies Standards to Packaging Type:
- Once the 5 Easies Standards are understood, they are applied differently across various packaging types.
What is Shelf Ready Packaging (SRP)?
Shelf Ready Packaging (SRP) is a type of packaging designed to be easily placed on the shelf without unpacking or repacking. Product or merchandise is delivered in a ready-to-sell unit. In order for a package to be considered an SRP it must successfully accomplish what are commonly known as the 5 Easies.
The 5 Easies are a broad guideline for determining if a package design meets the basic criteria for being an SRP. These basic guidelines follow the best practices as defined by ECR Europe and Walmart Global.
| Criteria | Walmart DC | Back of Store | In Store | Consumer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy to identify | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Easy to open | | | ✓ | |
| Easy to stock | | | ✓ | |
| Easy to shop | | | | ✓ |
| Easy disposal | | ✓ | ✓ | |
SRP-5 Easies
SRP-Easy to Identify
The package must be easy to identify in a crowded storage area (back of store).
Minimum requirements:
- A. Brand recognition (the fastest way to locate the right SKU)
- B. Tray pack case markings are required to be printed on a minimum of 2 sides of the tray. The Best if Used By/Expires on date on consumable products should be clearly printed and legible to facilitate the product rotation process.
- C. Appropriate specifications must be met for approved barcodes. Do not print barcodes on the front/principal display panel. This panel is intended for marketing purposes.
- D. Product and barcode must be visible through low glare shrink wrap.
- E. Corrugated tray walls must be a minimum of 2″ in height (3” for glass items) for shrink-wrapped packs
NOTE – Some departments have specific brand guidelines. Check with your merchant.
SRP – Easy to Open
SRP designs that do not require cutting are preferred Store associates must be able to open a package quickly in no more than 3 steps without the use of a knife whenever possible.
Minimum Requirements:
- A. Clear opening instructions are required on the top of the SRP.
- B. Should not take more than 10 seconds to open.
- C. Should open without the aid of any tools such as knives (when possible). Knives present a safety hazard for store associates.
- D. Should open neatly and reliably without causing damage to the SRP tray. Clear and simple opening instructions are required.
- E. Glued top and bottom flaps are preferred Closing tape must not obstruct or prevent opening Do not tape over perforations.
SRP – Easy to Stock
SRPs make it simple for any associate to quickly replenish shelves. Tray lips and sides must be designed to prevent spillage. When shrink wrap and/or case top is removed and tray is put on shelf, the product must fit securely enough that it will not fall out of the SRP. Tray lips and sides that are tall enough to prevent spillage are also ideal for branding and graphics.
Minimum requirements:
- A. SRP tray must be of a weight that can be easily placed on shelf by any associate.
- B. Most SRPs should be designed to fit 2 deep on a 22″ side counter. (Not all shelf depths are 22″) Minimum of 6 units per case.
- C. SRP tray must be designed to hold products upright and in place when stocking the shelf and allow flexibility of facings on shelf.
SRP – Easy to Shop
SRP tray must allow the customer to quickly identify the brand name and product description.
Minimum requirements:
- A. SRP tray height should be kept to a minimum to allow visibility of additional trays behind front tray.
- B. SRP tray must not cover up the product.
- C. Consumer can easily shop or replace the unwanted product.
SRP – Easy Disposal
SRPs should be manufactured from a paper-based material whenever possible to allow for recycling at end of life. Reusable plastic containers are not considered to be SRPs and are not a part of this guide. SRP packaging with alternative materials such as shrink-wrap must be easy to separate or tear down for recycling.
Minimum requirements:
- A. Corrugated SRP must be easy for associates to break down and fold flat once empty of product.
- B. The recycle logo may only be utilized if the SRP display is all corrugated and can be included in OCC bales. Refer to the sustainability section of the Standards for more details.
- C. No metal staples are allowed. Adequate tape or glue must be used to seal cases.
SRP – Shrink Tray
Shrink Tray Considerations
- Shrink wrap must be easy to remove without a knife.
- Best used for rigid product that can support its own weight when stacked.
- Easy to identify.
- Can be stocked quickly at the store.
- Has clean edges.
- Optional die cut drop tray lip.
- Most corrugated suppliers can produce.
- Shrink tray bullseye should be as small as possible to discourage customers from using them as handles.
- Shrink tray bullseye should not cover required case marking barcodes.
- Both the Stadium Tray and the High sided Tray SRP can hinder visibility and retrieval of product behind front tray.
SRP – Perforated Tray
Perforated Tray Considerations
- Optional die cut tray lip and tray sides.
- Rough/perforated edges.
- Stacking strength can be compromised by perforation.
- Most corrugated suppliers can manufacture.
- Compatible with most filling equipment.
SRP – HSC Tray
HSC Tray Considerations
- Fast execution in store.
- All clean edges.
- Good compression strength.
- Optional die cut tray lip and tray sides.
- Compatible with common case erecting equipment.
- Preferred option for direct import items.
- *Bottom tape for the HSC option must resist wear from conveying and be strong enough both in shear adhesion to the HSC case and tensile to hold the tray securely while the bottom is unsupported.
SRP Trays – Small, Narrow, and Lighweight
If your shelf-ready packaging is small, narrow, or lightweight, additional considerations should be evaluated. In order to ensure modular integrity, the use of fixture considerations or a larger PDQ tray may offer solutions for these unique items.
Consider:
- Consider permanent shelf divider between modular items.
- PDQ tray to house all smaller SRPs (Use adjustable dividers as needed).
- PDQ tray should not exceed 24″ wide or be more than 5 individual SRPs wide.
- Max PDQ tray depth – 22″ (depending on shelf depth).
- PDQ with small SRPs max weight – 22lbs.
- Consider primary packaging artwork.
- Must be approved by Merchant.
Transitioning to SRP
Transitioning to shelf-ready packaging requires careful consideration of the primary packaging and on-shelf merchandising. When transitioning to SRP, consider the following:
- Trays must also balance tray lip height with product containment, printable area, product primary label exposure, and conveyor rails in the DC’s that can break fragile items if the minimum tray height of 3″ is not used.
- Can the item stand on its own on-shelf or in a shelf ready package?
- Is the item currently merchandised on a peg hook?
- How will the design of the SRP impact the primary packaging design and graphic elements?
A. Bagged Product
Lay-flat packaging can be obscured in the SRP as it is shopped down. Consider adjusting the primary packaging graphics or style of packaging so that the item can be shopped upright and with maximum visibility in the SRP.
B. Blister Pack Product
The use of die-cut slotted inserts provides the support to hold the items upright in the shelf ready packaging and remain shoppable. Consider how the primary packaging artwork is effected by the tray and insert.
SRP Tray Front Lip Height
- The front lip must fit the purpose for the product height, type, and shape.
- Consistent front lip height across the shelf and/or product category.
- The tray must secure the product during shelf replenishment.
- The front lip height must not obscure the brand or primary packaging.
- The product must be easy to shop.
- The front lip height will vary based on product needs.
SRP Tray Inserts
Some products can not stand up on their own Therefore an insert is necessary to keep product upright and secure within the SRP tray. Actual tray inserts will vary based on product needs.
Smart Chart by Primary Packaging Style
SRPs must perform adequately throughout the Supply Chain Smart chart for reference only.
SRP Frozen Trays / Airflow
SRP Freezer Tray Considerations
SRPs in freezers should be designed with airflow in mind:
- Trays must not block air curtain.
- Tray height should not block airflow to the product.
- Consider low side walls and large window in back of SRP.
Perforation Strength Scale
The product inside an SRP can help or hinder the structural strength of a box. Oftentimes, the stacking strength of a box can be enhanced or weakened by the product inside as much as any other single factor. For example, a box, SRP, or tray with canned products will get significantly more stacking strength from the cans, while a box of chips requires that 100% of its stacking strength come from the box.
When a box has perforated tear strips, stacking strength is impacted. Thus, the easier it is to tear along a perforation line, the more likely the box has employed the use of an aggressive, easy to tear perforation profile. Conversely, a difficult to tear perforation pattern is often the result of incorporating a less aggressive perforation profile, which results in more stacking strength. Either way, the perforation has to match the stacking strength required from the box.
The chart above points this out. You can see that products that help support the boxes have the easiest perforation profiles for tearing, while products like chips that require the box to do all the work will need a much less aggressive profile, resulting in a harder to open SRP. Factor in the ability of the product to support the box before selecting a perforation profile.
SRP – Perforations
Many perforations have a different pattern depending on the corrugation direction. Review with your cutting die supplier and apply accordingly. Not all perforations and scores are the same. Most have very specific characteristics for very specific applications. This document is intended to illustrate how perforations and scores can be mixed and matched for optimum performance. Walmart uses specific product names for illustrative purposes only and does not endorse any specific product manufacturer.
Perforation A:
Speedi-Tear™ or equivalent attributes
Perforation B:
Speedi-Flare™ or equivalent attributes
Crease C:
Speedi-Flare™ or equivalent attributes
NOTE: Advise your corrugated manufacturer that all specialty perforations and scores are built to perform properly with absolutely no modifications required. Knicking the perfed or scored line or modifying it in any way will negate the properties designed. For best results, follow the directions of your cutting die provider.
SRP – Starting Cuts
A. The selection of the cutting die line is critical to the function of the tear-away portions of a Shelf-Ready Packaging (SRP). Lengths of perforation line should always begin with the cut line to help initiate the tear-away process.
B. Finger holes should also be considered to assist in removing the tear-away portions of an SRP. These finger holes should be located in an area where the product inside allows for clearance.
SRP Opening Instructions
All SRP trays must include simple, 3-step opening instructions printed on top of the SRP shipper. It is the supplier’s responsibility to provide accurate opening instructions. The opening instructions shown are for example only, and actual instructions will vary.
*Tape for the HSC option must resist wear from conveying and be strong enough both in shear adhesion to the HSC case and tensile strength to hold the tray securely while unsupported.
