Opening Gifts: Blowtorch Not Required
Finally, packaging that doesn't require a physics degree to open.
Nov. 18, 2008 — -- First there's the rush of excitement as a child wakes up on Christmas morning and makes a dash for the tree. The wrapping flies and the toy is exposed.
But that cool new toy or electronic device is often entombed in one of those plastic casings that's so secure it keeps the toy out of reach. Or it's tied down with plastic fasteners seemingly designed by NASA for use on the space shuttle.
This year, however, consumers may receive a Christmas gift from the manufacturers: packaging that people can actually open short of running it over with the lawn mower.
Companies like Sony, Amazon and Microsoft are experimenting with new packaging designs such as the use of cardboard and zippers, respectively.
For Jeffrey P. Bezos, founder of Amazon.com, the packaging change came out of personal experience.
"For me, my household, I have four kids and Christmas morning starts with wire cutters and needle-nose pliers," Bezos told "Good Morning America." "It's almost as if somebody is double-dog daring me to get the toy out of the package. My pet peeve is the plastic-coated wire ties. When I see that, I know I'm in for Christmas morning drudgery."
That frustration is the risk that many companies have for years been willing to take in return for a few positive qualities that the packaging offers.
Beyond simply protecting the products, devilish system is thought to help prevent shoplifting, known in the retail trade as shrinkage, which costs an estimated $13 billion every year.
"It probably helps to mitigate shoplifting," Bezos said. "It certainly doesn't stop it."
Such packaging also causes thousands of trips to the hospital each year.
