The E-commerce era is accelerating the need to rethink packaging
DHL recently released “Rethinking Packaging,” an important report that identifies the trends driving change in packaging, how...
1. The traditional packaging model is not sustainable
We know that approximately 40% of the average package is empty space. That is just not sustainable, and there are better ways to ship a package now. Consumer’s demand for more sustainable business practices is going to increase in the future, and there’s always a chance of increased government regulation encouraging sustainable business practices as well. That said, we should all be looking for ways to minimize our impact on the environment, regardless of outside pressures; because it’s what an ethical business does.
2. Dimensional charges
When the dimensional weight pricing changes take place in January 2015, many online retailers are going to be in for a shock when they realize how much shipping just one cubic foot will cost (hint: at least 11 pounds, or the equivalent of shipping a bowling ball!). The Ecommerce industry will have three choices once the pricing goes into effect: (1) eat the extra cost, (2) pass the extra cost on to the customers, or (3) adapt their shipping practices.
The quickest and easiest way to adapt to the dimensional weight world will be to use custom boxes.
3. It sends a better brand message
Every interaction your customer has with your company sends a message about your brand—including when the package is dropped off at their doorstep. If that packaging is ugly or oversized it sends a message that your company doesn’t care as much about presentation as those who use custom boxes.
We wrote an in-depth article on how custom boxes improve your brand last month. If you’d like to read it, click here.
4. It saves money in many different ways
In addition to saving money in dimensional weight and shipping costs, custom boxes also save money in other ways that most people haven’t thought of. For example: using custom On Demand Packaging® eliminates the need to carry an expensive box inventory and frees up warehouse space. It also reduces or illuminates the need for a void filler—which will also make your packaging more sustainable.
There are actually 11 different ways custom packaging can save you money. You can see them all in this snappy video:
5. It’s less headache inducing
Managing a traditional box inventory can be such a pain. Trying to keep track of all the different box sizes, while making sure that they’re all in stock, and ensuring that every package gets shipped in the smallest possible box is time-consuming. Warehouse mangers are busy people, and managing a box inventory shouldn’t take any more of their time than it needs to. Fortunately, On Demand Packaging® is the remedy for the common box inventory headache
6. It’s a better way to ship boxes.
The most important reason everyone will be using custom boxes is that it’s just a better way to do shipping. This is one of those cases where you can be more sustainable, save money, and give your customers a better experience. It’s a win-win-win for everyone.
These are just six of the reasons everyone will be using custom boxes in 10 years. If you think I missed any, let me know in the comments!
If you would like to learn more about how custom boxes can make your life easier, download our white paper, The Smallest Possible Box, by clicking the link below:
1. The traditional packaging model is not sustainable
We know that approximately 40% of the average package is empty space. That is just not sustainable, and there are better ways to ship a package now. Consumer’s demand for more sustainable business practices is going to increase in the future, and there’s always a chance of increased government regulation encouraging sustainable business practices as well. That said, we should all be looking for ways to minimize our impact on the environment, regardless of outside pressures; because it’s what an ethical business does.
2. Dimensional charges
When the dimensional weight pricing changes take place in January 2015, many online retailers are going to be in for a shock when they realize how much shipping just one cubic foot will cost (hint: at least 11 pounds, or the equivalent of shipping a bowling ball!). The Ecommerce industry will have three choices once the pricing goes into effect: (1) eat the extra cost, (2) pass the extra cost on to the customers, or (3) adapt their shipping practices.
The quickest and easiest way to adapt to the dimensional weight world will be to use custom boxes.
3. It sends a better brand message
Every interaction your customer has with your company sends a message about your brand—including when the package is dropped off at their doorstep. If that packaging is ugly or oversized it sends a message that your company doesn’t care as much about presentation as those who use custom boxes.
We wrote an in-depth article on how custom boxes improve your brand last month. If you’d like to read it, click here.
4. It saves money in many different ways
In addition to saving money in dimensional weight and shipping costs, custom boxes also save money in other ways that most people haven’t thought of. For example: using custom On Demand Packaging® eliminates the need to carry an expensive box inventory and frees up warehouse space. It also reduces or illuminates the need for a void filler—which will also make your packaging more sustainable.
There are actually 11 different ways custom packaging can save you money. You can see them all in this snappy video:
5. It’s less headache inducing
Managing a traditional box inventory can be such a pain. Trying to keep track of all the different box sizes, while making sure that they’re all in stock, and ensuring that every package gets shipped in the smallest possible box is time-consuming. Warehouse mangers are busy people, and managing a box inventory shouldn’t take any more of their time than it needs to. Fortunately, On Demand Packaging® is the remedy for the common box inventory headache
6. It’s a better way to ship boxes.
The most important reason everyone will be using custom boxes is that it’s just a better way to do shipping. This is one of those cases where you can be more sustainable, save money, and give your customers a better experience. It’s a win-win-win for everyone.
These are just six of the reasons everyone will be using custom boxes in 10 years. If you think I missed any, let me know in the comments!
If you would like to learn more about how custom boxes can make your life easier, download our white paper, The Smallest Possible Box, by clicking the link below:
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