Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Sustainable Packaging Strategy for Luxury Cosmetics in North America


Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Product Go-to-Market Strategy to thoroughly analyze their unique business challenges and competitive situations. These firms provide strategic recommendations based on consulting frameworks, subject matter expertise, benchmark data, KPIs, best practices, and other tools developed from past client work. We followed this management consulting approach for this case study.

TLDR A luxury cosmetics firm faced declining market share and rising costs due to outdated packaging amid increasing consumer demand for sustainable solutions. By launching eco-friendly packaging, securing strategic supplier partnerships, and implementing targeted marketing, the company improved brand reputation, increased market share, and aligned with consumer expectations for sustainability.

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Consider this scenario: A luxury cosmetics firm is struggling with its product go-to-market strategy amid a surge in consumer demand for sustainable packaging solutions.

The company has witnessed a 20% increase in customer feedback calling for eco-friendly packaging, amidst a 5% decline in market share due to rising competition from brands offering sustainable options. Internally, the organization grapples with supply chain inefficiencies and outdated packaging technologies, which have escalated costs by 15%. The primary strategic objective is to innovate its packaging solutions to be fully sustainable, enhancing brand loyalty and market competitiveness.



This organization, a renowned name in the luxury cosmetics industry, is at a critical juncture. The increasing consumer demand for sustainable products and packaging underscores the need for a strategic overhaul. The organization's existing operational and technological frameworks have become liabilities, hindering its agility and ability to meet market demands. The leadership is concerned that without swift, strategic action, the company may continue to lose ground to more agile competitors that are quicker to adopt sustainable practices.

Industry Analysis

The luxury cosmetics sector is experiencing a paradigm shift, with sustainability at its core. Consumers increasingly prefer products that are not only luxurious but also environmentally responsible.

Analyzing the competitive landscape reveals:

  • Internal Rivalry: Competition is intensifying as brands vie for consumer loyalty through innovation in product quality and sustainability credentials.
  • Supplier Power: Suppliers of sustainable materials command increasing power as demand for eco-friendly packaging materials surges.
  • Buyer Power: Consumers are more informed and demanding, leveraging their buying power to influence sustainability practices.
  • Threat of New Entrants: The growing niche for sustainable luxury cosmetics lowers the barrier for new brands with strong eco-friendly propositions.
  • Threat of Substitutes: The threat is moderate, with the main substitutes being brands outside the luxury segment that offer high sustainability credentials.

Emergent trends indicate a shift towards biodegradable and recyclable packaging materials. The industry dynamics are thus evolving, presenting both opportunities and risks:

  • Increased consumer awareness and demand for sustainable products offer a significant opportunity for brand differentiation and loyalty.
  • The scarcity of sustainable materials poses a risk, potentially increasing costs and affecting supply chain reliability.
  • Technological advancements in packaging solutions provide an opportunity to innovate, reduce costs, and enhance sustainability.

A STEER analysis highlights the socio-cultural shift towards environmental sustainability, technological advances in packaging, economic factors influencing consumer spending on luxury items, environmental regulations shaping packaging standards, and legal frameworks governing sustainability claims.

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Internal Assessment

The organization boasts a strong brand heritage and loyal customer base but faces challenges in adapting its packaging solutions to meet evolving sustainability standards and consumer expectations.

Benchmarking Analysis against industry peers reveals the company is lagging in adopting cutting-edge sustainable packaging technologies and practices. This gap undermines its competitive positioning and market share.

Core Competencies Analysis indicates the organization's strength in product innovation and brand marketing. However, it needs to build competencies in sustainable packaging design and supply chain management to align with its strategic objectives.

Value Chain Analysis uncovers inefficiencies in sourcing and logistics for sustainable materials, highlighting the need for strategic partnerships and investments in green technologies.

Strategic Initiatives

  • Launch of Sustainable Packaging Innovation Program: Aimed at redesigning the packaging portfolio to be 100% sustainable within 3 years, reducing environmental impact and catering to consumer demands. The value comes from enhanced brand loyalty and market differentiation. This initiative requires investment in R&D, sustainable materials sourcing, and consumer engagement strategies.
  • Strategic Partnerships with Sustainable Material Suppliers: To secure a reliable supply of eco-friendly packaging materials, reducing costs and ensuring supply chain sustainability. The initiative aims to create value through cost efficiency and supply chain resilience. Resources needed include supplier relationship management and contract negotiation capabilities.
  • Product Go-to-Market Strategy Enhancement: Focuses on leveraging the sustainable packaging transformation to reposition the brand and attract eco-conscious consumers. The expected value is increased market share and customer loyalty. This requires cross-functional collaboration between marketing, product development, and sales teams.

Product Go-to-Market Strategy Implementation KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


Measurement is the first step that leads to control and eventually to improvement.
     – H. James Harrington

  • Reduction in Packaging Carbon Footprint: Measures the environmental impact reduction of the new sustainable packaging solutions.
  • Customer Satisfaction and Engagement: Tracks changes in customer feedback and engagement levels related to the new sustainability initiatives.
  • Cost Reduction in Packaging Materials: Monitors cost savings achieved through strategic partnerships and efficient material sourcing.

These KPIs provide insights into the effectiveness of the sustainable packaging strategy, customer reception to the brand's sustainability efforts, and financial impacts of the strategic initiatives on the organization's bottom line.

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Product Go-to-Market Strategy Deliverables

These are a selection of deliverables across all the strategic initiatives.

  • Sustainable Packaging Strategy Report (PPT)
  • Supplier Partnership Framework (PPT)
  • Go-to-Market Strategy Presentation (PPT)
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Sustainable Materials (Excel)

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Launch of Sustainable Packaging Innovation Program

The organization adopted the Diffusion of Innovations Theory and the Environmental Scanning framework to guide the Launch of the Sustainable Packaging Innovation Program. The Diffusion of Innovations Theory, developed by Everett Rogers, was instrumental in understanding how new ideas and technologies spread within a market or organization. This framework was particularly relevant for introducing sustainable packaging innovations, as it emphasized the importance of early adopters and communication strategies in accelerating the adoption rate. The Environmental Scanning framework was utilized to systematically explore external trends and internal capabilities, ensuring that the sustainable packaging solutions were both innovative and aligned with market demands and regulatory requirements.

The team implemented these frameworks through the following steps:

  • Conducted an Environmental Scan to identify emerging trends in sustainable packaging, consumer preferences, and regulatory changes affecting packaging requirements.
  • Segmented the market based on the Diffusion of Innovations Theory to identify early adopters and influencers within the luxury cosmetics sector who could champion sustainable packaging.
  • Developed a communication strategy tailored to different market segments, focusing on the benefits and value of the new sustainable packaging to encourage rapid adoption.

The implementation of these frameworks led to the successful introduction of a line of eco-friendly packaging solutions that were well-received by both retailers and consumers. The program not only enhanced the brand's reputation for innovation and sustainability but also positioned the company as a leader in sustainable luxury cosmetics. The strategic use of the Diffusion of Innovations Theory and Environmental Scanning ensured that the new packaging solutions were in line with market needs and trends, facilitating a smoother adoption process and stronger market penetration.

Strategic Partnerships with Sustainable Material Suppliers

For the initiative focusing on Strategic Partnerships with Sustainable Material Suppliers, the organization applied the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Strategic Alliance frameworks. The Resource-Based View was pivotal in identifying the unique resources and capabilities that the organization could leverage to gain a competitive advantage through its supplier partnerships. This perspective helped in selecting suppliers that could provide not only sustainable materials but also innovation and flexibility. The Strategic Alliance framework guided the formation and management of these partnerships, emphasizing mutual goals, trust, and strategic fit.

In implementing these frameworks, the organization took the following actions:

  • Assessed internal capabilities and resources to determine what unique value the organization could bring to a partnership, in line with the Resource-Based View.
  • Identified potential suppliers with complementary goals and capabilities, focusing on those who demonstrated innovation in sustainable materials and practices.
  • Negotiated agreements that emphasized shared risk and reward, ensuring that both parties were committed to the success of the partnership, as advised by the Strategic Alliance framework.

The strategic application of the RBV and Strategic Alliance frameworks significantly enhanced the organization's supply chain for sustainable materials. These partnerships not only secured a steady supply of innovative packaging materials but also fostered collaborative efforts towards sustainability goals. As a result, the organization was able to reduce its environmental impact and improve cost efficiency, strengthening its competitive position in the luxury cosmetics market.

Product Go-to-Market Strategy Enhancement

The Product Go-to-Market Strategy Enhancement initiative was guided by the use of the Market Segmentation and Positioning frameworks. Market Segmentation allowed the organization to identify distinct consumer groups within the luxury cosmetics market that valued sustainability highly. This insight was crucial for tailoring the go-to-market strategies to appeal specifically to these segments. The Positioning framework was then applied to develop messaging and branding strategies that clearly communicated the value proposition of the sustainable packaging to these targeted segments, differentiating the brand in a crowded market.

The frameworks were implemented as follows:

  • Conducted a detailed Market Segmentation analysis to identify key consumer segments that prioritize sustainability in their purchasing decisions.
  • Utilized the Positioning framework to develop a unique value proposition for each segment, focusing on the sustainability and luxury aspects of the packaging.
  • Designed targeted marketing campaigns for each segment, emphasizing the environmental benefits and luxury appeal of the new packaging solutions.

The strategic focus on Market Segmentation and Positioning led to a highly effective go-to-market strategy for the new sustainable packaging. The targeted approach resonated with key consumer segments, resulting in increased brand loyalty and market share. By clearly communicating the sustainability benefits and luxury positioning of the packaging, the organization was able to differentiate itself from competitors and capture the attention of environmentally conscious consumers.

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Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Launched a line of eco-friendly packaging solutions, enhancing brand reputation and positioning the company as a leader in sustainable luxury cosmetics.
  • Secured strategic partnerships with suppliers, ensuring a steady supply of innovative and sustainable packaging materials.
  • Implemented targeted marketing campaigns, resulting in increased brand loyalty and market share among eco-conscious consumers.
  • Reduced environmental impact and improved cost efficiency through strategic supply chain enhancements and sustainable material sourcing.
  • Identified and engaged key consumer segments prioritizing sustainability, significantly enhancing customer satisfaction and engagement.
  • Achieved a reduction in packaging carbon footprint, aligning with environmental sustainability goals and consumer expectations.

The initiative to innovate the company's packaging solutions towards sustainability has yielded significant positive outcomes, notably enhancing the brand's reputation, securing a competitive edge in the luxury cosmetics market, and aligning with consumer demand for eco-friendly products. The strategic partnerships formed with suppliers have not only ensured a reliable supply of sustainable materials but also fostered innovation and cost efficiency within the supply chain. The targeted marketing campaigns have effectively increased brand loyalty and market share, demonstrating the value of precise market segmentation and positioning. However, the initiative faced challenges in fully quantifying the reduction in packaging carbon footprint, indicating a potential area for improvement in environmental impact measurement and reporting. Additionally, the scarcity of sustainable materials highlighted a risk that could affect long-term supply chain reliability and cost.

For next steps, it is recommended to enhance the measurement and reporting mechanisms for environmental impact to provide more transparent and quantifiable data on sustainability achievements. Exploring alternative sustainable materials and suppliers could mitigate the risk associated with material scarcity and further improve supply chain resilience. Continuing to innovate in packaging design and materials will ensure the company remains at the forefront of sustainability in the luxury cosmetics sector. Additionally, expanding the scope of market segmentation and targeted marketing can further increase market share and customer loyalty, particularly in emerging markets with growing environmental consciousness.

Source: Sustainable Packaging Strategy for Luxury Cosmetics in North America, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

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