In the fast-paced world of branding, packaging is no longer just a wrapper—it’s a powerful marketing tool. In 2025, several top brands across the globe reimagined their packaging to align with changing consumer behavior, sustainability goals, and modern aesthetics. Here’s a deep dive into 10 brands that nailed their packaging redesigns—and why it worked.
🥇 1. Coca-Cola – Minimalism Meets Sustainability
- Old Look: Classic red-and-white design with plastic-heavy packaging.
- New Look: Slimmer aluminum bottles with simplified typography and 100% recyclable material.
- Why It Worked: Coca-Cola aligned with Gen Z’s love for minimal design and eco-friendly choices. The packaging got tons of buzz on Instagram and was picked up by eco-conscious retailers globally.
🥈 2. Nestlé (Munch) – Nostalgia with a Modern Twist
- Old Look: Loud and cluttered with heavy fonts.
- New Look: Retro-inspired packaging with updated fonts, matte finish, and clean visuals.
- Why It Worked: It triggered nostalgia while also appearing premium. Consumers shared “before vs after” packaging photos across social media.
🥉 3. Dettol – Clean Design for a Cleaner World
- Old Look: Functional, clinical feel.
- New Look: Sleek, white-dominant design with green accents and minimalist icons.
- Why It Worked: The redesign made Dettol feel more lifestyle-oriented and less like a hospital-grade product—especially relevant post-pandemic.
4. Cadbury Dairy Milk – Premiumization
- Old Look: Classic purple with fun elements.
- New Look: Richer purple with gold foiling, clean logo, and no clutter.
- Why It Worked: It elevated the brand into a more premium space, aligning with luxury chocolate trends in India and abroad.
5. Himalaya Wellness – Nature-First Appeal
- Old Look: Medical-centric design with too much text.
- New Look: Earth-toned packaging, plant illustrations, and reduced typography.
- Why It Worked: Strengthened their identity as a natural and holistic wellness brand. Shoppers felt a stronger emotional connection.
6. Maggi – Modern Family Focus
- Old Look: Bright yellow with food shots and banners.
- New Look: Cleaner layout, focus on “home-cooked goodness,” and nutritional benefits highlighted.
- Why It Worked: It appealed to health-conscious families and mothers who want convenience without guilt.
7. Paper Boat – Cultural Stories on the Label
- Old Look: Bright, simple pouches.
- New Look: Same shape, but now with hand-drawn illustrations of Indian festivals and stories.
- Why It Worked: Built emotional storytelling directly into the design. Every pack felt like a collectible.
8. Pepsi – Back to Its Bold Roots
- Old Look: Simplified, soft design.
- New Look: Bolder fonts, retro color blocking, and a return to 90s aesthetics.
- Why It Worked: It differentiated Pepsi from competitors like Coke and created a buzz with Gen Z and millennials who love 90s throwbacks.
9. Mamaearth – Refined Sustainability
- Old Look: Overly informative and text-heavy.
- New Look: Eco-friendly materials with simplified icon-led layouts and consistent brand colors.
- Why It Worked: Reinforced its mission of sustainability while making shelves look more aesthetic and uniform.
10. Lays – Localized, Less Processed Feel
- Old Look: Bright, processed, mass-market look.
- New Look: Matte finish with more natural imagery, emphasizing local flavors like “Khatta Meetha” or “Peri Peri”.
- Why It Worked: Gave the impression of authenticity and local touch. Sales increased for flavor-specific regional packs.
🧠 What We Learned from These Brands
- Less is more: Minimalist design consistently outperformed cluttered, outdated packaging.
- Sustainability sells: Brands that switched to eco-friendly packaging saw a boost in credibility and loyalty.
- Storytelling wins: Cultural, nostalgic, or lifestyle-led packaging created emotional engagement that drove sales.
- Consistency across SKUs: Uniform design language helped brands look professional and build recall instantly.
📈 Bonus Tip for Small Businesses
Even if you’re a startup or D2C brand, taking cues from these big players can transform your shelf presence. Tools like PackagingSeller.com offer ready-to-use, modern packaging templates inspired by these trends.
How to Start a Dropshipping Business with No Money: A Step-by-Step Guide
