How the summer offering has been enriched with IPS microencapsulation technology
CUSTOMER: World-leading baby care group
CHANNEL: B2B Retail
TECHNOLOGY: Microencapsulation of natural essential oils
The challenge of seasonal baby care retail
The world’s leading baby care group is constantly seeking safe, innovative, and natural solutions for children’s well-being. To enhance its offerings in the “Summer Protection” category, it sought a product that met specific needs:
Retail distributor objectives:
- Competitive differentiation in the summer protection category (high market saturation)
- Non-invasive and safe solution for children 3+ years old
- Natural ingredients to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly products
- High turnover with margins above the category average
- Versatility of use to increase purchasing opportunities (home, travel, outdoor)
The product also had to integrate seamlessly into the retail network, both online and in the numerous physical stores, with consumer-ready packaging and a premium positioning consistent with the brand.
The solution: IPS Scented Plasters with microencapsulation
The group has chosen IPS Srl’s microencapsulation technology to develop an exclusive line of scented plasters to be distributed through its retail network.
Patented technology and composition:
IPS Microencapsulation (since 1976):
- Essential oils protected in microcapsules that guarantee controlled release
- On-demand activation by "scratching" the sticker surface
- Fragrance duration: 4-6 hours within a 1 meter radius
- Stability over time: the microcapsules preserve the essential oils until use
100% natural composition:
- Citronella: an essential oil that is naturally unpleasant to insects.
- Eucalyptus: refreshing and aromatic action
- Formulation without biocides or chemical repellents
- Ideal for baby care target (3+ years) attentive to safety
Design and how to use:
Non-invasive application:
- Colorful stickers to apply to clothes, strollers or bed headboards
- They do not go on the skin: they eliminate the risk of irritation or allergic skin reactions
- Reassuring factor for parents: zero skin contact
Kid-friendly design:
- Colorful and eye-catching graphics for children
- Compact format (75 x 110 mm) ideal for impulse buy display
- "Instagrammable" packaging that encourages word of mouth on social media
Competitive advantages for the retail distributor
The adoption of IPS scented plasters has guaranteed the group several strategic benefits in the retail market:
Technological differentiation
Patented microencapsulation:
- IPS (expert in the sector since 1976) uses a process that protects essential oils
- Longer-lasting and more stable fragrance release than spray or stick products
- Consumer-controlled activation (on-demand)
- Barrier to entry for competitors: technology difficult to replicate
Premium positioning with high margins
Elements of perceived value:
- Certified natural ingredients
- Made in Italy (produced in San Donato Milanese)
- Patented technology from 50 years of experience
- Brand safety for baby care category
Economic result:
- 40% higher margin than standard chemical repellents
- High rotation in the summer season (April-September)
- Effective cross-selling with strollers and outdoor products
Private Label and total customization
IPS Service for Large Retailers:
- Complete graphic customization with logo and visual identity
- Packaging adaptation for integration into existing product line
- Possibility of developing exclusive fragrances on request
Safety and regulatory compliance
100% natural formulation:
- Safe alternative to chemical repellents or biocides
- Ideal for baby care target (3+ years)
- No risk of skin irritation (not applied to the skin)
Results obtained in retail
Sales performance:
Seasonal assortment enrichment:
- Perfect fit in the "Summer Protection" category
- Innovative product that generates in-store and online traffic
- Colorful design promotes customer-generated social content
Customer loyalty:
- Responding to the growing demand for natural products for children
- Positive reviews from safety-conscious parents
- Recurring repurchase throughout the summer season
Optimization of exhibition spaces:
- Compact packaging (75 x 110 mm) ideal for cash register positioning
- Effective cross-selling near strollers, backpacks and hygiene products
- Rapid rotation: frequent restocking without shelf saturation
Distributor metrics:
KPI
Result
Product margins
+40% vs chemical repellent category
Seasonal rotation
Complete sell-out from April to September
Cross-selling
25% off purchases combined with strollers/outdoor items
Customer satisfaction
4.5/5 stars on online reviews
Why the partnership worked
Exclusive technology that is difficult to replicate
IPS microencapsulation is an IPS expertise developed over 50 years of manufacturing. This creates a sustainable competitive advantage over competitors using generic spray fragrances.
Alignment with brand values
Natural ingredients, certified safety, and Made in Italy are perfectly consistent with the brand’s premium positioning in baby care.
Private Label Versatility
IPS allowed the group to maintain the brand’s visual identity while fully customizing the product, strengthening brand loyalty instead of promoting a third-party brand.
Seasonality with high margins
The product responds to a clear seasonal need (summer protection) with higher margins, allowing the retailer to maximize profitability during peak months.
Do you want to enrich your retail catalog with innovative products?
If you’re a large-scale retail, childcare, or specialized retailer looking for seasonal, high-margin solutions with patented Made in Italy technology, IPS Retail offers a broad portfolio of customizable Private Label products.
What you get with IPS Retail:
- Patented Technology — Microencapsulation developed since 1976, difficult to replicate
- Complete Private Label — Customizable graphics, packaging, and fragrances
- Certified natural ingredients — Ideal for targets attentive to safety and sustainability
- Consumer-ready packaging — Optimized for retail display and cross-selling
- Flexible minimums — Scalable orders for seasonal testing without inventory risk
