With much of the UK in need of some good news, M&S has recently launched a Percy Pig styled sweetie jar. Currently at retail in M&S shops, the bespoke 1kg jar has been designed and produced by leading glass packaging company, Croxsons.
The popular range of soft gums sweets has been an integral part of M&S for more than 25 years. Usually sold in individual packets, the launch of a collectable glass jar of Percy Pig sweets has been a real treat for adults and children alike.
Having a long-standing relationship with M&S, both directly and through their supply chain, Croxsons were asked to supply the glass packaging for the launch, together with an on-brand closure. Taking a product from their standard range, Croxsons improved the design to create a bespoke jar, which included a rounded flat front with a moulded outline of Percy Pig himself. The screw top closure was custom made for the jar, finished in the Percy Pig pink brand style.
In producing the jars, Croxsons had to balance careful supply & demand projections. As the jar could only be produced from a single ‘gob’ of molten glass due to its weight and shape, it required multiple productions, so careful planning was required to ensure other projections were also met.
Commenting on the jar, Laura Fernandez, senior packaging technologist – ambient food & food hardware, said: “Percy is the nation’s favourite pig, so great care goes into creating all Percy Pig products. This collectable, giftable jar was designed to be one of the heroes of our Christmas range, so the product needed to be spot on. Croxsons responded to the brief and delivered a bespoke jar and closure that met our brief perfectly. Having recently visited one of our flagship stores, I can confirm that the jars look amazing on the shelves and our customers just love it!”
“In supplying glass packaging solutions, we work with many fabulous brands, but there is something special about working with an icon of the UK high-street, but also for Percy Pig sweets in being such a recognisable part of most children’s up-bringing,” said Croxson’s Tim Croxson. “Clearly, we were delighted to have been involved in this project and it’s great, though not surprising, to see the product doing so well at retail. It’s worth adding that bespoke designs, such as this example, are accessible for any brand, with lower volumes that most businesses imagine,” he added.
In supplying a broad base of clients ranging from artisanal producers to seasoned, multinational brand owners, with glass packaging and closure solutions for nearly 150 years, Croxsons faultless commitment to quality continues to provide leading brands with unique packaging solutions. From collaboration, design and container, to closures, decoration and logistics, their ‘customer journey’ seeks to ensure clients get their product in the right bottle, with the right closure.