E-commerce packaging evolves
October 3, 2018Shopping online – it’s a way of life. Today you can order just about anything online, from anywhere, and have it delivered to your door, often in a very short time span. This has also changed the world of logistics.
The right packaging helps companies expand online sales and boost customer loyalty
From its beginnings in the mid-1990s, the e-commerce industry has boomed and spread around the world. In 2017, an estimated 1.66 billion people worldwide purchased goods online totalling around USD 2.3 trillion in value. By 2021 e- commerce sales are projected to reach around USD 4.9 trillion worldwide.
“Alongside this strong growth in sales, packaging for e-commerce shipments has evolved considerably in recent years, offering more options for e-retailers and greater convenience for consumers. Consumers also increasingly prefer packaging that is sustainable,” states Sara Sizer, Communication and Marketing Director, Mondi Group.
Packaging links online retailers and consumers
Whether you buy something online from a major retailer or a small business, the packaging conveys numerous messages: Has the item arrived safely? Does the packaging make a positive connection to the brand image? Is it easy to open? Can it be reused or recycled?
All of these factors and more are why packaging creates an important link between the e-commerce merchant and the consumer. A positive experience can boost brand loyalty and lead to more orders. Furthermore, online orders increase when the return process is easy and convenient for the end-consumer.
Armand Schoonbrood, COO of Mondi Corrugated Packaging, says, “E-commerce is taking up a larger share of the retail market. The expectations of our customers are altering simultaneously, which is why we need to understand our customers such as the needs of end- consumers. While corrugated boxes are still a mainstay, they have become far more functional and sophisticated. Therefore, we offer customised solutions made-to-fit to our customers’ individual needs.”
As e-commerce continues to expand, the competition inevitably gets tougher. Established e-commerce retailers – as well as ‘bricks-and-mortar’ companies seeking to expand by selling their goods online and even start-up companies – simply cannot afford not to optimise their e-commerce packaging. For this, Mondi is the ideal partner.
Optimal packaging for efficient fulfilment
So what makes for successful e-commerce packaging? In addition to adequate product protection and a good end user experience, efficiency factors are critical to the seller’s success. We work closely with our customers to determine what type and size of packaging will make their fulfilment process most efficient.
E-commerce shipments may vary a lot in size, even for one merchant. Schoonbrood says: “The versatility of corrugated material offers almost
limitless possibilities. We help businesses choose the minimum number of packaging sizes that will give them the greatest flexibility. We also optimise packaging sizes to avoid wasteful over packaging.”
Less packaging and lightweight, even flexible, materials such as our paper MailerBAG result in lighter weight shipments – a significant cost-saving opportunity for many e-commerce retailers.
Speed of filling can also make a difference to a busy ecommerce business. For online wine merchants, we developed Mondi Vino Box® Sprint, which can safely ship up to six wine bottles separated by dividers. No additional assembly is needed for this pre-glued, one- piece box with integrated pop-up divider: it simply pops up from a flat pack, instantly ready to fill.
“Our customers benefit from easy handling in their logistic centres, likewise we provide their end consumers with a smooth and effortless online shopping experience when receiving their order,” states Schoonbrood.