In collaboration with French Designer Clement Eloy, Pen manufacturer BIC is introducing a candy pen cap. Based on their research they found that consumers tend to chew their pen caps, so why not make the habit more fun? Yum Sugar notes, "The name [Suck my Bic] is a tad bit risque, but what else would you call a pen that has a flavored candy pen cap?"
Implications - Product designers are continually looking to reinvent products based on consumer tastes; this pen with an edible top takes that practice quite literally. By transforming a pen cap -- an item that's frequently lost, discarded or chewed -- into a sweet treat, BIC is sure to appeal to a new market.
Candy Pen Caps
Suck My Bic
Trend Themes
1. Candy Pen Caps - BIC's new edible pen cap caters to consumers who like to chew on pen caps and opens up opportunities for other brands to reinvent mundane products in a fun way.
2. Edible Product Accessories - Designers and manufacturers can create edible accessories for everyday products to appeal to consumers who are looking for a unique, playful experience.
3. Combining Practicality and Playfulness - Incorporating fun and unexpected features into practical products adds an element of excitement to mundane items.
Industry Implications
1. Stationery - Incorporating edible accessories into traditional stationery items can create a fun, lighthearted experience for consumers.
2. Food and Beverage - Expanding into non-traditional food items like candy pen caps can allow food and beverage companies to appeal to new markets.
3. Retail and Consumer Goods - Development of unexpected and playful products is a way to stand out in a crowded retail space and offer consumers a unique experience.