Sam's Club Square Case-less Milk Jug Packaging

While Europeans are experimenting with milk in pouch style packaging, Walmart's discount club store Sam's Club is switching its gallon milk packaging to a square case-less jug. 

Its the packaging story everyone is talking about. 

The packaging style is not a new concept, but could represent a new direction in milk container packaging in the US. 

The new style packaging began appearing at Sam's Club stores in November for their store brand Member's Mark milk (pictured) and is now sold in 189 stores the company said.

The square jug packaging will help retailers significantly reduce resources and materials used to package and transport milk.  The square container jug reduces waste compared to the current standard #2 HDPE gallon milk jug which can only be stacked in layers if it’s inside another plastic returnable case or a corrugated box.

The square or case-less milk jugs do not require crates or racks for shipping and storage. Instead, the newly designed milk gallon is self stacking because the spout is flatter and each gallon can rest on another during transport, as well as while on display.

Square case-less milk packaging isn't a new idea.  The owners of Ohio-based Superior Dairy invented and began using this type of milk packaging back in 1998.  The packaging was well received by consumers of the Canton, OH dairy which added several additional sizes of the square jugs to their product line up.  The design never took off nationally in the US until being picked up by Sam's Club.

Creative Edge, a sister company of Superior Dairy is managing the design and license of the milk packaging.  Packaging Digest ran a full profile of the company last year its well worth a look.

In a statement Sam's Club said, "It’s estimated trucks used for shipping from the processor to club can accommodate 9% more milk -- 4,704 gallons per truck or approximately 384 more jugs -- without any metal racks." 

Sam's Club estimates the new case-less jug will offer consumers a cost savings of 10 to 20 cents.

“This is an exciting change for Sam’s Club Members and the dairy industry,” said Heather Mayo, vice president, Merchandising, Sam’s Club. “There are many efficiencies and benefits to case-less milk jugs and one of the best advantages is that we can pass on the lower cost to our members and they benefit from the extended shelf life and added freshness.”

Sam’s Club is offering case-less milk gallons in 189 clubs. The milk is available in most Sam’s Club locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee.

There are a handful of milk producers across the U.S. currently set up to offer the new case-less gallons and as more adopt the design, Sam’s Club hopes to expand distribution.   We would also expect to begin to see the packaging appearing at Walmart stores.

Sam's Club is going so far as to offer customers classes in how to pour milk from the new containers.  This seems a bit much but they are trying to be sensitive to consumers reaction to the change.

Comments

[James]

The difference a Public Relations department makes. Costco has had this same packaging for 4 1/2 years.

[Randy Ludacer]

NY Times ran a cover story on Walmart's new milk package, focusing on how their customers don't like it because it's hard to pour without spilling. I haven't tried one for myself so I can't weigh in one whether that's a valid complaint, but there should be no reason why all the benefits cited above should have precluded this pack from pouring well. Walmart is actually having to re-educate its customers. Apparently it's such a new package that it changes the whole paradigm for how milk must be poured.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/30/business/30milk.html

[Matt Hoover]

I would like to see a video of someone pouring this type of jug without spilling the contents. If an adult can do it, I want to see a 10 year old do it.

Whoever designed it only had one thing in mind - shipping and forgot about the consumer who is wasting $ everytime they spill.

Thanks,
Matt

[dolewhite]

Get a grip people. It's different, but not that hard. If all it takes is a new milk jug design to cause you this much grief, consider yourself lucky to live where you do.

[Tetergirl]

I've used this milk container for a couple of months now. I'm not a big fan. First, you must relearn how to pour - in fact, they've even stamped instructions on the top. If you have arthritis, the lid can be hard to unscrew. Also, no matter what, there always seems to be dribble and more spills than you want. Plus, I think in transport, containers must break open, because many times I've had to wipe dried milk off the outside of the jug. If you don't wipe it off it smells like spoiled milk. Lastly, there seems to be a quality issue because I've opened a new gallon and peeled back the seal only to have the milk taste stale - it's not spoiled - just has the taste like it's been setting in an open container. GROSS.

[jennifer]

I have tried to give the new packaging the benefit of the doubt. It never fails - I am unable to pour without spilling. I have a 9 year old that is unable to use this product as well. There has to be away that this can be re-designed to be user friendly and cost effective. Until then, I plan to purchase my milk elsewhere.

[Anger parent]

I'm done with this fancing packaging. Who ever did the marketing tests really screwed up because they forgot to have kids try it. I will never buy this type of milk container again.

[Lauren]

I love these new cartons, I have no issue poring milk form them nor do any of the children at the church I go to during our fellow ship hour after church. The larger mouth on the carton allows a smoother pore with less splashing, then the old jug.

[Robert]

In a statement Sam's Club said, "It’s estimated trucks used for shipping from the processor to club can accommodate 9% more milk -- 4,704 gallons per truck or approximately 384 more jugs -- without any metal racks."
How do you put 4,704 gallons in 384 jugs.

[Kelly]

The designer(s) who designed these cartons should be fired. As should their bosses and the account execs who passed the whole thing through. I bet they never tried to actually pour the milk out of it (I buy [or try not to buy] the Costco cartons -- they're AWFUL!). They spill, they're heavy and if you're pouring lots of baby bottles, forget it. I don't mind change... and I'm a big proponent of smart design but smart this ain't. You just shouldn't have to think so much to pour milk without spilling it!

[Rene Olivier]

I stumled upon this while doing a search for milk jug. Yes, they are changing the milk jug for among other things, carbon footprint reasons, but you should consider moving to milk sachets or bags as some might call them. Liquid Living has developed a new product that makes the use of sachets so easy without spilling a drop and the milk stays fresher longer. The developed tap instantly seals with the wall of a sachet and the dispenser is very user friendly to put in your fridge or to even mount on a wall.This will allow you to contribute to the environment by saving 75% plastic. Further, as the end consumer, you will save even more by buying sachets! See www.liquidliving.biz to see this milk jug.