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Zep

Zep

results Summary

Reclaimed shelf visibility, rebuilding confidence with consumers and retailers.

Insights
strategy
PACKAGE GRAPHICS
Production
The Challenge

Zep had a broad portfolio with over 170 SKUs in a single DIY retailer, but inconsistent packaging and lack of shelf impact made it difficult for consumers to recognize the brand’s dominance. The goal was to unify the brand, strengthen its professional heritage, and create packaging that stands out in a crowded, competitive category.​ ​

WovenWorks led a comprehensive brand and packaging refresh, grounded ​in consumer and in-store research.​

Three Zep cleaning products on a yellow background: Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish spray, Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner spray, and Industrial Purple Cleaner & Degreaser gallon jug.
The Challenge

Zep had a broad portfolio with over 170 SKUs in a single DIY retailer, but inconsistent packaging and lack of shelf impact made it difficult for consumers to recognize the brand’s dominance. The goal was to unify the brand, strengthen its professional heritage, and create packaging that stands out in a crowded, competitive category.​ ​

WovenWorks led a comprehensive brand and packaging refresh, grounded ​in consumer and in-store research.​

Our Approach

We uncovered key INSIGHTS through in-depth shop-alongs and interviews with small business owners, cleaning professionals, and consumers—revealing how shoppers navigate the shelf and perceive the brand. These learnings informed a clear STRATEGY, grounded in a comprehensive category audit that identified opportunities to amplify Zep’s “pro-quality” heritage. Building from there, we developed PACKAGE GRAPHICS across multiple design territories focused on expertise, trust, and approachability, using visual attention analysis to sharpen shelf impact and communication clarity. Finally, we delivered complete PRODUCTION files—refining brand identity, color strategy, and packaging architecture to ensure a cohesive, scalable system across all SKUs.

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The Results

The bold, unified packaging restored Zep’s shelf visibility and strengthened both consumer confidence and retailer partnerships. The redesign fueled brand momentum—contributing to Zep’s 2025 acquisition by Truelink Capital—with Advanced SKUs exceeding expectations and plumbing unit sales rising 7% post-launch. Major retailers increased promotional support, and the new system became the foundation for expanded marketing activation across digital, social, e-commerce, and retail training.

Six Zep brand cleaning products on a yellow background, including stainless steel cleaner, shower tub and tile cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, industrial purple cleaner and degreaser, carpet spot and stain cleaner, and heavy-duty citrus degreaser.
Close-up of two Zep brand cleaning product bottles, one labeled Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner.
Two bottles of Zep Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner with yellow and blue spray tops against a yellow background.Close-up of four yellow cleaning spray bottles with blue caps labeled for bathroom, hardwood, and degreaser uses.
Collage showing heat map of cleaning product shelves, a person reaching for Bona cleaner, and informational slides about shelves, education, language, and graphics in-store.
Collage of four images: a round yellow 'Trusted Pro Quality Since 1937' badge on blue background, a blue polo shirt with Zep logo, a blue t-shirt with yellow Zep Manufacturing Company American made text, and a gray cap with a yellow and blue Zep Manufacturing Company patch.
Zep brand and packaging guidelines slides showing color palettes, color range, versioning color examples, and product images on a yellow background.
Before
After
A variety of Zep branded cleaning products including stainless steel polish, shower tub and tile cleaner, all-purpose cleaner and degreaser, industrial purple cleaner and degreaser, high traffic carpet cleaner, heavy-duty citrus degreaser, and carpet spot and stain cleaner.
Store shelves stocked with various cleaning products including bleach, all-purpose cleaners, degreasers, and outdoor cleaners in bottles and spray containers.Store shelves stocked with various cleaning products including sprays, bleach, and multi-purpose cleaners from brands like Zep, Clorox, Simple Green, and 409.