Amazon has been quietly growing the volume of orders going out boxless, which the company says represented 11% of items shipped in 2022, a move that some see as a sea change in reducing packaging materials that will be imitated across retail. Amazon customers can choose to add an external “smiley” box at checkout, but boxless is now the default, with more apparently opting for it.
With the opportunity for so much online revenue at stake, it’s critical to delight consumers with optimized ecommerce packaging that delivers products without damage. Packaging enhancements need to go beyond functionality, using materials that can be reused or recycled. This is good for the business and the environment, and increasingly attractive to consumers.
A new testing protocol to gauge the protective qualities of ecommerce packaging has been released by the International Safe Transit Association to help retailers, brands and partners ensure proper packaging design that can withstand the rigors of handling along the ecommerce/DTC chain. It addresses the fact that traditional retail packaging is often not up to the task of protection.
Omoda, a Dutch-based retailer of premium shoes, wanted to reduce its CO2 footprint and demonstrate a commitment to the environment. Its preexisting process often resulted shipping up to 50% air, which caused a substantial impact on both sustainability and shipping costs. In this Q&A case study, Omoda talks about how Ranpak’s solution helped the retailer achieve its goals.
No one questions the fact that ecommerce packaging waste is a major problem, clogging the planet with yet more plastic and cardboard. The twofold question then becomes, what is being done about it, and what more can be done? This Multichannel Merchant special feature discusses the scope of the issue, and steps that are being taken by retailers, suppliers and governments to reduce the amount of waste.
Consumers continue to embrace the ease and convenience of ecommerce, with sales expected to grow 9.4% and cross the $1 trillion mark in 2022, according to Insider Intelligence — and getting packaging right is a major delight factor for them. Here are four ways to make sure your packaging checks all the boxes.
Focusing on ecommerce sustainability initiatives can help you set your company up for success by focusing on the planet, while also creating more opportunities to boost sales. Therefore, it behooves you to step up your ecommerce sustainability game or risk being overlooked by increasingly values-conscious consumers.
For CPGs, it’s no longer a matter of if but when the circular economy will supplant the traditional linear take-make-use-dispose model of consumption. The race to tap emerging sources of value and capitalize on the circular economy is well underway. The edge likely will go to companies that mobilize to take these seven steps.
Some say shrinkflation is a sneaky strategy because businesses use the same packaging but give customers less, arguing it’s an attempt to deceive them. But many are making sure changes are available for consumers to see in some format. It’s the consumer’s responsibility to check the pack, but communication with buyers is key.
Sustainability is more than just good for the planet; it’s good PR for your company. That’s why you should consider adding sustainable packaging to your repertoire. It helps your company meet sustainability goals while giving eco-conscious consumers a better choice. Here’s how to go about sourcing sustainable packaging.