E-commerce packaging has been changing rapidly, and we have witnessed a progressive transformation in the e-commerce packaging landscape. Why is that?
As time has passed and competition in the e-commerce world grows with new e-commerce businesses emerging in every sector, more and more packaging suppliers are focusing on making more robust, lightweight, and sustainable packaging that can withstand wear and tear during the shipping process and still reach customers in pristine condition.
Let’s look at how shipping supplies like shipping boxes have changed and evolved due to the changing expectations of e-commerce retailers and customers and the growth of the e-commerce industry.
How Did it All Start?
So how did packaging come about? Historians believe that the idea of packaging came about when the migratory humans in ancient times needed something o carry, protect, and store food and other items. They used animal skins, natural materials, gourds, and leaves to package necessities.
People began using wooden crates and boxes to transport goods as the world evolved. Over two decades after the Chinese created cardboard, the first industrial cardboard box was made in England at the beginning of the 1800s.
The 1850s saw the invention of corrugated sheets, and shipping boxes made from corrugated paperboard started to take the place of wooden boxes and crates.
Companies began to build brand identification through the use of various packaging materials during the end of the 1800s and the beginning of the 1900s. The year 2000 is significant in the world of packaging since it is when e-commerce began, and the world of packaging changed forever.
As the number of e-commerce businesses increased, e-commerce business owners began to recognize the importance of durable packing that can endure aggressive shipping procedures. This was when packaging supply stores began experimenting with new packaging materials.
As of 2022, the packaging industry has evolved tremendously and continues to evolve aggressively, with new and unique packaging solutions coming into the market every other day.
What Is The Reason Behind The Changing E-Commerce Packaging Landscape?
To understand how packaging has evolved in the e-commerce industry, we must first understand why this change was necessary. Let’s look at some reasons behind the changing e-commerce packaging landscape.
Direct Shipment of Products to Customers
Instead of packaging an item and delivering it to a retailer, many businesses are shipping things straight to purchasers. This demands stronger and sturdier packaging to preserve the contents and provide a positive unpacking experience for the client.
Shipping supplies like bubble mailers, mailing tubes, poly bags, poly mailers, stretch wrap, kraft paper, and peanuts have been invented. These different packaging options allow companies to ship small and fragile items more conveniently and safely.
Protective layers like a stretch wrap, kraft paper, and peanuts allow companies to offer an extra layer of protection within the shipping box, protecting the contents from scratches or damage caused by friction or vibration during shipping.
Online Purchases Are Becoming More Convenient
According to statistics, more and more people are shopping online each year. Digital consumers increased by 900 million in 2021 compared to 2020. Since internet access has become a necessity worldwide and online shopping is becoming easier and more convenient, more and more customers have switched from in-store shopping to online stores.
Think about it, if you live a busy lifestyle and want to do a mid-week grocery run, why would you want to go outside to buy the grocery if you can order it online and receive it on the same day? Some people would still say we prefer buying from grocery stores. However, we are 100% sure that the number of people willing to purchase it online would still be higher.
Thanks to packing boxes like insulated shipping boxes that come with signs like a rush or perishable, now customers don’t even have to worry about some food items like ice cream, butter, or meat that must be kept at a specific temperature going bad. Unlike standard cardboard boxes, insulated shipping boxes are made with a particular material that helps keep these items at a cool temperature.
Increased Need for Sustainability
Nowadays, a large percentage of the world’s population has become environmentally conscious and is paying more attention to how their actions affect the environment. Non-sustainable packaging can severely damage the environment.
Non-sustainable packaging materials like plastic can severely harm the ecosystem and take years to decompose, producing harmful gases in the environment during decomposition. Therefore, more and more customers demand sustainable boxes.
With the increasing demand for sustainable packaging materials, more packaging suppliers and firms have switched to eco-friendly packaging options.
What Can Businesses Do To Adapt To The Ever-Changing World Of E-Commerce Packaging?
With the ever-changing world of e-commerce packaging, all new and old businesses must make it a point to keep track of and adapt to the latest packaging trends to compete in the fast pacing market actively. So if you own a business and are looking for ways to step up your game in terms of packaging, here is how you can do it.
Keep Track Of the Latest Packaging Trends
Keeping up with the latest packaging trends can help you stand out and grow your business. Every so often, we recommend going on the website of your packaging supply store and looking at their latest boxes for sale along with the other packaging solutions. You can also contact your packaging supply store and inquire about the most in-demand packaging supplies.
Doing so will help you keep up with the latest packaging trends, and you can switch out your packaging every few months to stay on top of your game. Customers appreciate businesses experimenting with new packaging and making it a point to stay on trend.
Awareness of the latest packaging trends will also help you gain customer loyalty, and more and more customers might recommend your products to the people in their inner circle. Here are some of the latest packaging trends to consider:
- Personalized packaging:Personalized packaging is the hottest trend in the e-commerce world lately. So how can you adopt this trend? Let’s say you run a bakery. It’s time to personalize your bakery boxes by printing your brand’s logo. There are so many different ways you can personalize your boxes. All you need is some creativity and the advice of the experts at your packaging store
- Minimalism: The trend of minimalism seems to have taken over the world since people move towards more minimalist clothing or home decor. The e-commerce packaging world also seems to like the trend of minimalism as more and more companies look towards simpler and cleaner packaging options. What says minimalist more than white packing boxes? You can look into switching your packaging to all-white corrugated boxesor any other box option that fits and accommodates the products you sell
Keep an Eye on the Competition
Another excellent way to stay on trend in the e-commerce packaging world is to keep an eye on the top competition in your sector. You can order an item from your number one competition and see how they use packaging to their advantage and what packaging materials they use. You can also then look into similar packaging options.
However, always make sure to add an element of individuality to ensure your packaging distinguishes from your competitor’s packaging since simply packaging their packaging design is not the way to go.
For example, you can order similar package boxes to your competition but customize their color according to the color of your logo. Your packaging should always have a distinguishing element that makes it different and unique.
Think Out Of the Box
Even though having package boxes on hand is a good idea, the latest e-commerce trend is all about thinking out of the box. This means using different packaging options like shipping envelopes, side-loading mailers, or mirror boxes to ship products more efficiently and save more space.
Doing so will also help you save space in your warehouse and fit more packages into a shipping container which will help you save money, as the more space you take up in a shipping container and the more your boxes weigh, the more will be the cost of shipping.
These packaging solutions are lightweight, and if you have a shipping envelope on hand, you can easily ship a fragile or flat item without using a shipping box that may weigh heavier or take up more space.
Amp up Your Packaging Protection
The importance of extra packaging protection has increased since customers do not tolerate receiving a damaged or broken item in the mail due to a lack of protection. If this happens, you may lose customers and get negative reviews online, which may also cause you to lose potential customers.
Here are some packaging protection items you can order and use during packaging to ensure your products can withstand mishandling or friction during the shipping process and still reach your customer in pristine condition.
- Peanuts:Peanuts are a soft, loose fill that provides packaging protection and cushioning within the package to protect the goods from being harmed due to friction or movement within the packing box. If you are a large-scale firm, you can purchase peanut dispensers to speed up the packaging process
- Kraft paper rolls:Kraft paper rolls are a cost-effective protective covering used to pack items or cushioning in shipping boxes. Kraft paper is entirely recyclable and biodegradable, which your clients will appreciate
- Shrink film:Shrink film maintains the packaging’s appealing appearance while protecting and keeping your products clean. Several different shrink film products are available on the market, including centerfold PVC and Polyolefin shrink film, shrink bags, puncture-resistant, and sealing equipment
- Foam: Foamrolls are a must-have for packaging protection as foam provides the ultimate cushioning for products within a package. You can purchase several foam-based packaging protection options according to your product. From foam corner guards from frames to foam pouches for fragile items like ceramic plates, you will find a foam protection layer for your products on the market
- Single face corrugated rolls:Single-face corrugated rolls comprise a raised corrugated flute on one edge and smooth fiberboard on the opposite side. These can be used to protect unusually shaped products during shipping. The advantage of purchasing these protective layers in roll form is that you can quickly cut them to any size. They provide scratch protection for your items, and you may add more layers for ultimate protection
- Crinkle paper:Crinkle paper makes a fantastic eco-friendly void-fill option. It is perfect for businesses or shops selling subscription and gift boxes. It also adds to the unboxing experience of the client
- Bubble rolls: You can utilize bubble wrap in the packaging process in various ways, such as lining the packing box, wrapping delicate products with bubble wrap, or simply using bubble wrap as a void fill. Bubble roll provides excellent protection and cushioning and can prevent fragile goods from scratching or breaking
- Corrugated sheets:Corrugated sheets work well as dividers between products. You can also use them as stiffeners for shipping envelopes. The bigger sizes are typically used as layering pads on palettes to distribute weight evenly
- Edge protectors:The edges of boxes and the contents inside them are more likely to sustain damage during delivery. Pallet edges can be safeguarded by using edge guards. You can neatly align edge protectors around the pallet’s four corners to add stability and prevent displacement
- Bubble chamber packs:Bubble chamber packs are an ideal packaging option, and customers greatly appreciate them since they can easily recognize the contents within this packaging’s clear exterior without needing to remove the items. Toner cartridges, wine, cosmetics, electronics, medications, and other items work well in bubble chamber packs
- Newsprint sheets:Newspaper sheets are a cost-effective void fill. You can also use them to wrap objects and use shipping tape to keep the newspaper sheet from coming off the item. Newspaper sheets can protect your products from scratches
- Chipboard pads:Chipboard pads have fiberboard material, which adds to their stiffening abilities. These can protect products like letters and pictures from bending or losing shape
Focus On the Customer’s Unboxing Experience
The changing e-commerce packaging landscape focuses more on the customer’s unboxing experience. If a customer has trouble unboxing their package or cuts themselves during unboxing, that can leave a bad impression on them, and they might not order from you again.
More e-commerce businesses are getting creative and finding ways to enhance their client’s unboxing experience. You can use corrugated mailers like outside tuck mailers since they don’t require packaging tape.
If you use boxes that require packaging tape, you can use high-quality packaging tape with a strong adhesive so that you don’t have to cover a box with layers on layers of packaging tape which can become a hassle when unboxing.
Adding a discount coupon, handwritten notes, or a small gift in the package can also help you enhance a customer’s unboxing experience and create brand loyalty.
Ask the Customer What They Want
What better way to stay on top of your packaging game than to ask your customers for advice on what kind of packaging they prefer or would like to receive from you?
Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are great for holding polls and seeing what packaging materials customers prefer. You can then assess the answers, and whatever packaging material gets the most vote can incorporate into your packaging.
Switch to Eco-Friendly Packaging
It’s time to hop on the biodegradable and recyclable packaging bandwagon. As discussed above, customers are not likely to support an e-commerce business that realizes its corporate social responsibility and does its part in ensuring it does not harm the environment in any way possible.
So if you have not yet switched to eco-friendly packaging, it’s time to look for a packaging store with eco-friendly and recyclable packaging options and begin working with them. Once your eco-friendly packaging arrives, don’t forget to use it to your advantage and make it a point to share with customers that you have gone green.
You will notice a boost in your sales as customers order products from you to support and appreciate your sustainable packaging initiative.
Let The Boxery support you with your switch to eco-friendly packaging. We sell eco-friendly, biodegradable, and recyclable packaging supplies. Our packaging supply store is stocked with everything packaging related you could need. If you have questions about our products, you can visit our FAQ section or dial 877-826-9379 to talk to our customer service representative.
Takeaway
- The first ever cardboard boxes were created in England at the beginning of the 1800s, but it wasn’t until the emergence of e-commerce businesses in the early 2000s that packaging truly advanced
- The e-commerce packaging landscape has changed due to the convenience of online shopping, the demand for sustainability, and the need for direct shipment of products to customers
- Switching to eco-friendly packaging, keeping track of packaging trends, thinking out of the box, and keeping an eye on the competition are some of the things businesses can do to adapt to the ever-changing world of e-commerce packaging
- The Boxery can help businesses keep up with the ever-changing e-commerce packaging landscape
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