As retail outlets across the UK remain closed, in terms of their visual presence on the high street, an increasing number of consumers have turned to online shopping to help with their basic and essential requirements.
It is fair to say that the ecommerce sector has been growing year on year but now, due to circumstances that nobody could have planned for, it will see a spike in sales with some retail experts predicting that visitor numbers to an already declining high street will never recover.
Our teams have been heavily involved in the ecommerce sector for a considerable period now and bring significant experience in finding solutions that balance the needs of businesses and the consumer.
Depending on the business type and the product in question business requirements can differ greatly. If you’re sending out a weighty and cumbersome product, then the protection of the product will be high on the agenda and perhaps outweigh the visual appeal of the pack.
By contrast, and at the opposite end of the spectrum, businesses that are shipping luxury or indulgent items are becoming more proficient and creating customer journeys through an ‘unboxing’ experience. They rely heavily on branding, luxury print and colour, easy opening and an interior that looks just as good as the exterior, if not better.
As a growing number of business began to appreciate the benefits delivered by corrugated packaging and it is fair to say that it has continued to increase its market share year on year. Sustainability and consumer awareness surrounding this saw many retailers shift towards corrugated solutions, away from those that were less easily recycled by the consumer. In addition, new statistics that show how long the
virus subject of this current pandemic lives on certain materials, have shown a new benefit. With paper and paper based products faring most favourably there has already been a notable shift towards more enquiries from businesses wishing to switch how they ship their online deliveries.
Aside from the practicalities that are delivered through corrugated ecommerce packaging such as recyclability and product protection, there are other subliminal messages that affect consumers buying decision.
Consumers make decisions about brands often within a few seconds and it can be very hard to reverse this perception. It seems that first impressions really do count, event when it comes to packaging. Choosing a material that is recyclable and an unboxing experience that concludes a customer journey can be hugely positive in terms of brand awareness, brand loyalty and recommendations.
Packaging can be an intrinsic part of driving repeat business alongside a positive customer experience. Think of the packaging that high-end luxury brands have. It’s branded, it emulates the quality of the product and it gives buyers added confidence that they have spent their money wisely.
Looking at it from a business angle there are elements to ecommerce packaging that can also support their businesses in timely and cost efficient despatching.
To maximise packing efficiencies the type of pack should be considered. Are different sizes required? Do they need any additional paper void fill? How will the pack be sealed?
With so many factors to consider it is worth seeking advice from your preferred packaging partner to ensure you maximise the benefits from sustainable ecommerce packaging. If you’d like us to help you please get in touch – now is a great time to review your packaging supply to ensure you position yourself ahead of your competitors as the ecommerce sector experiences an unexpected surge in demand. One that is set to remain for some time to come.
Ecommerce packaging, you and the consumer
