Packaging. It’s everywhere.
Whatever industry you work in, whether it’s eCommerce, manufacturing or retail, you will have come across some form of packaging at some point.
And with more and more people choosing to order products online, the eCommerce industry is proliferating and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Fuelled by the coronavirus pandemic, global eCommerce sales grew to $26.7 billion and made up 19% of all retail sales in 2020. And as more businesses (both B2B and B2C) offer online ordering, the need for packaging increases.
So, it’s no surprise that the eCommerce packaging market was valued at $27.04 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $61.55 billion by 2026, at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 14.59% in the next five years.
But what does this mean for your business? Regardless of the industry or sector you work in, business owners and managers need to implement an efficient packaging process and packaging solutions that protect products during handling, travel and storage.
If you want to stand out from the competition, then it’s important that you don’t overlook other packaging functionalities that can offer great customer experience and marketing opportunities.
Your product packaging should be an extension of your brand. From that iconic blue Tiffany & Co box to Kikkoman’s sleek soy sauce bottle or Beauty Pie’s luxurious pink box and tissue paper, your packaging can play a key part in your product’s success.
Why is product packaging important?
Packaging is often the first thing people see when they’re introduced to your product. It communicates who you are as a company and your brand’s values.
In order to maintain repeat business and increase business, you need to consider the touchpoints you have with your customers, in order to set yourself apart from your competitors and craft the best experience possible - so why not do this at one of the first touch points?
What should product packaging do?
- Offer the best protection to your products.
- Attract potential customers.
- Give all the information necessary - this includes tracking
- information and an address when the product is being shipped, and information on how to use the product.
- Help you stand out from the competition - innovative designs, logos and copy all play a big part here.
Choosing the right packaging for your product
When it comes to choosing the right packaging for your product, there are a number of variables you should consider:
The size and weight of the product
The size, weight and shape of your product will determine the packaging and protection you need.
Your packaging budget
Your packaging budget will determine the type of materials, designs and transportation available to you. For example, custom diecut self seal boxes filled with tissue paper will cost more than plain brown boxes.
Once you have a clear understanding of your average order size and your profit margins, you can design which packaging solution will be the most cost-effective and offer the most value to your customers.
Types of packaging and materials
With so many different types of packaging and materials available, there’s a lot to consider. You should opt for a material that will fair well during transportation. You could have the best design, but if the box turns up dented or broken, it can harm your brand’s reputation and customer experience.
Where plastic packaging is necessary you should consider using recycled plastic. It’s estimated that five million tonnes of plastic is used in the UK every year, and half of that is packaging. The UK is introducing a plastic tax to deal with this issue in April 2022, and it's worth understanding how this may impact your business or how you can avoid it all together.
Find out more about sustainable packaging in our guide.
Design and branding
Your target audience should be at the forefront when you’re designing your packaging. The bright, colourful designs for an online fashion retailer won’t necessarily work for a B2B components supplier and vice versa.
The material you use should also echo your brand values. If you’ve positioned yourself as sustainable eco-warriors who strive to reduce your carbon footprint and impact on the environment, using non-recyclable plastics will not reflect this.
Optimise your packaging process
Time is money, and if your packaging process takes a long time to complete or you don’t have the right tools, you’ll be disappointing customers and losing business.
From incorporating tape dispensers, wrapping machines and strapping tools, to simply just reviewing your packaging process and packbenches to highlight inefficiencies, there are several ways to optimise the packaging process.
Get in touch with Titan Packaging today
Your packaging creates the first impression of your brand, so it is vital that you get this right. From the design to the materials used and the packaging process itself, every aspect is vital. Working this all out can be a real headache, so why not leave it to the experts, so that you can focus on other areas of your business?
Titan Packaging’s Logical service will help develop a packaging process that suits your business’s needs. From finding the best costs to contingency planning and managing designs, we’re here to help every step of the way.
At Titan Packaging our goal is simple. We believe in giving our customers cost-effective and high-quality packaging that reflects a company’s brand values, has minimal impact on the environment and offers exceptional customer experience. So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with Titan today.
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