Packaging forms an important part of the e-commerce business environment. At the most basic level, packaging serves the primary purpose of offering protection to the contents of the package. However, the focus in 2015 is more about enhancing the consumer’s experience with appropriate modifications to the packaging that surpass the primal purpose of providing only protection. It is all about creating the perfect balance between visual appeal, protection and functionality.
We are just coming out of the first quarter of 2015 and already the trends have started showing characteristic features for the e-commerce packaging industry. Check out the top 5 trends below.
The “Green” Approach
The past two years have seen a growth in the adoption of green practices and trends that indicate a gradual progress towards achieving adequate sustainability. This means using recyclable packaging material and using materials that are made from recycled components.
There has been a rise in the use of recycled corrugated plastic boxes which offer greater benefits than cardboard boxes, despite being made from plastic. Moreover, the emphasis on re-use and recycle has also encouraged people to minimize wastage. If not for the cost savings, the green attitude can definitely help to save the environment from further damage.
Personal Note of Thanks
Who doesn’t like a personalized note? There is a rise in demand for personalized notes of thanks which retailers have begun sending their customers along with their packages. Not only is this a nice way to attract customers, but it also gives them happiness on receiving their packages. It just goes on to show the concern that retailers express for showing that they care about the happiness of the customers.
It doesn’t cost much to add this small note of gratitude, but the outcomes of adding this note are high in value, especially in terms of establishing a strong brand preference for the customer and strengthening the “people quotient” of the brand.
Customized Boxes with Branding
e-Commerce retailers, especially the high-end retailers, are now focusing on adding that extra touch to their packaging design for making their customers feel special. Consumers today demand a certain level of visual appeal for sensing the extent of “premium values” in the product. This is why e-commerce companies are coming up with customized boxes / pouches with branding so that customers are able to relate to their brand. Wouldn’t you like to receive a premium package which has the perfect balance of visual appeal, protection and functionality?
Cost and Space Considerations for Premium Packaging
Creating a premium packaging design is not difficult. The challenging part is to establish a balance between the options while considering cost and space limitations. It is important for e-commerce retailers to strike the perfect balance between all the concerned elements so that they don’t end up paying extra or having boxes that have space left even after the product has been placed in it.
Having unnecessary space inside the boxes would not only require additional packing material (such as packing peanuts) which would incur more costs, but it would also add weight and bulk to the shipping consignment, thereby resulting in high shipping charges. You can avoid all such hassles with innovative and carefully evaluated packaging designs.
Frustration Free Packaging
This is becoming more of a challenge to e-Commerce retailers where they are striving to achieve a balance between presentation, security and frustration-free packaging for their products. The so-called frustration-free packaging refers to packaging that can be opened up easily without having to spend a lot of time unravelling the various layers of materials to reach the product stored inside.
While this particular feature is demanded by customers, it becomes slightly difficult to implement it in real world scenarios because without the right layers of protection, the product could get damaged. However, packaging experts are working on developing a hassle free packaging design that incorporates the best elements to satisfy the needs of the business as well as the customers.
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