I confess that I don’t really mind grocery shopping. Being in the branding and design business, it’s fascinating to see the wide array of packaging on the hundreds of different products, and to try to figure out just how much the packaging affects purchases. I’ve come to the very simple conclusion that packaging can greatly influence one’s initial purchase, but that quality of product is the major determinant on subsequent buys (yes, there are other determinates as well). Deep…but I still just like looking at the packaging.
This past weekend, I spent a great deal of time in one of the store’s most stimulating sections, which leads me to the following revelation…
I also confess that I’m a cookieholic. Normally pretty selective about what I eat and drink, when it comes to cookies, self-discipline goes right out the window. I could do without other treats, but cookies?! No.
So when I heard a radio station doing a poll about them this morning, I figured it must truly be an omen. When I got to the office, I sent the following question to our staff…
For the rest of your life, if you could have only one type/kind/brand of cookie (packaged-type), what would it be?
Some of the responses were the same (collusion?). Here’s a handful (heh, heh…handful) of them:
– Pepperidge Farm Milano
– Carol’s Cookies – Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
– Pillsbury Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
– Maple Pizzelles
– Tagalongs
– Mrs. Fields Oatmeal Raisin
– Lorna Doones
– Girl Scout Lemon Cremes
– Whippets
– Meijer Peanut Butter (frozen tube)
– Archway Date Oatmeal Fruit Filled
– Dare Choco Cherry Wagon Wheels (Canada)
– Meijer or Kroger sugar cookies with frosting & sprinkles
I was shocked at how quickly the responses came back, and how precise they were. Apparently people have extremely strong cookie loyalties. Hmmm…could this data somehow be used on future packaging proposals? Could a more in-depth study help to solidify, or disprove, my theory of the affects of packaging on purchases? Or was this just a subconscious excuse to reach out to readers of this blog?
Know what? I’m over-thinking this. Let’s just run with it…
Here’s the question again:
Sandra 03/01/2011
Well.. that would my own White Chocolate Orange with nuts cookies.
I’ll bring some next time I come to MI.
Store bought… Windmill Cookie
Simon Rafe 03/01/2011
McVitie’s Digestives – you can’t get them in the US that easily, but they are absolutely lovely. They are a kind of softer, little sweeter Graham Cracker, I suppose. they make the BEST crust for a cheesecake, bar none. Next time you want a cheesecake, go to the fancy store with the imported cookies (biscuits, as we call them) and spring for the expensive imported English treats. You’ll be glad you did.
Alan V 03/01/2011
Archway windmills (Dutch thing)
Rhonda L. 03/01/2011
Ya gotta love the Archway windmills…probably my second favorite…after Nabisco’s Lorna Doones!
D. E. Allen 03/02/2011
I’m not big on packaged cookies, but give me homemade chocolate chunck cookies made with butter and still warm and I can’t stop — especially if there is good, cold whole milk available.
Alan V 03/04/2011
Voortmans makes great windmills, harder to find though (Canada). I like em, less sugar.
Perry Kartsonas 03/09/2011
Cherry/Oatmeal @ Nordstrom cafe