No Boring Boxes! Custom Packaging for Internet Business

When you are an online retailer without a stationary storefront, your storefront is your website. However, even though online shopping has increased in popularity over the last few years, this doesn’t mean that marketing is made any easier. Nowadays online retailers have to think outside the box when it comes to marketing, and custom packaging is becoming increasingly popular for online retailers, so why are you still lagging behind? 

Think about it this way: when walking through the mall it is easy to catch yourself checking out the shopping bags of those passing by – especially if they are eye-catching. In the online marketplace, you don’t really have the chance to do this. Things go directly from you to the distributor to the post to the customer. This is where custom packaging comes into play.  

Want an example? Okay, no problem.

Scenario #1: Sandra is a regular online shopper. Her favourite guilty pleasure? Shoes. When Sandra buys shoes online they come in a generic brown box, the only notable addition to the packaging a label with her name and address. No one ever takes notice of this box, and therefore no one is enticed to visit that store online or make a purchase. Marketing done here – zero! 

Scenario #2: Elaine is also a regular online purchaser, and yet another shoe fanatic. However, Elaine buys from a company that takes advantage of the opportunity custom packaging presents. Instead of a plain brown box, her shoes come in a well-designed, colourful package that is branded. When the package is delivered to the post office, the box gets noticed. When Elaine picks the package up, the box gets noticed. When Elaine brings it home and shows off the shoes to her girlfriends, the box gets noticed.  

What to look for with a packaging supplier:

o   Reputation for quality and service

o   Commitment to sustainability which saves you money and reduces your carbon footprint

o   Innovative production process that results in high quality design and a strong finished product 

Your packaging should be a direct reflection of your brand image, so why would you want that image to be plain and boring? Instead, think about how direct mail marketing with custom packaging can work to boost your brand reputation.  

When it comes to custom packaging, Packaging Technologies Inc. has you covered. Contact us today to find out more. Please call 1-800-303-5883 or visit us online at www.ptibox.com.

The Freight Fiasco: Challenges with Shipping Packages

We’ve all heard the horror stories in relation to shipping packages: costs, damages, disruptions, etc. Sometimes these freight fiascos are a fact of business and little can be done to avoid them. That being said, there may be a way to mitigate some of those costs. There are a lot of things that impact shipping costs and efficiency. And yes, there is a major link between packaging and shipping. Have you considered how much a simple change can impact your bottom line? We can help you out. 

When you think about shipping packages, there are a number of considerations to be taken into account. On your end, one of the most important is getting those products on the truck (and hoping that they stay there until they reach their intended destination).  Perhaps it is time to rethink that shipping strategy; take a step back and focus on your packaging. 

3 things to think about: size, weight and strength. 

1.     Size. This should be a no-brainer. The smaller the package, the more that can be fit on a pallet, and therefore the larger the number that can be put into a container for shipping. This is coupled with the fact that a smaller package means less material and therefore a reduced production cost.  

2.     Weight. If the cost of shipping depends on weight, why add weight with packaging? A smaller box will usually be lighter (unless for some reason you choose to go with something heavier), and therefore cost less to ship.  

3.     Strength. Sure, you can make a package smaller and lighter – just make sure that when you do you are not sacrificing strength. Smarter packaging shouldn’t be unstable – if it is, you’ll likely have more damages come delivery day. A high quality product should be designed with your exact specifications in mind – don’t skimp here. 

When you decide to make the change to improve your costs for shipping packages, you may be surprised that even a small change can make a big difference. For example, one change to a product’s package can subsequently lead to the ability to fit more products in a smaller case, and therefore more cases on a pallet. This means greater trailer capacity utilization, as well as a decrease in the number of shipments you ultimately send out. Seeing the dollar value now? 

When it finally comes time to rethink your shipping approach, start at the beginning – look at how the structure, size and weight of your product packaging impacts cost and efficiency. When it comes to shipping packages, a little change can go a long way.  

For more challenges with shipping packages or to revamp your shipping strategy, please contact Packaging Technologies Inc. at 1-800-303-5883.

The Freight Fiasco: Challenges with Shipping Packages

We’ve all heard the horror stories in relation to shipping packages: costs, damages, disruptions, etc. Sometimes these freight fiascos are a fact of business and little can be done to avoid them. That being said, there may be a way to mitigate some of those costs. There are a lot of things that impact shipping costs and efficiency. And yes, there is a major link between packaging and shipping. Have you considered how much a simple change can impact your bottom line? We can help you out. 

When you think about shipping packages, there are a number of considerations to be taken into account. On your end, one of the most important is getting those products on the truck (and hoping that they stay there until they reach their intended destination).  Perhaps it is time to rethink that shipping strategy; take a step back and focus on your packaging. 

3 things to think about: size, weight and strength. 

1.     Size. This should be a no-brainer. The smaller the package, the more that can be fit on a pallet, and therefore the larger the number that can be put into a container for shipping. This is coupled with the fact that a smaller package means less material and therefore a reduced production cost.  

2.     Weight. If the cost of shipping depends on weight, why add weight with packaging? A smaller box will usually be lighter (unless for some reason you choose to go with something heavier), and therefore cost less to ship.  

3.     Strength. Sure, you can make a package smaller and lighter – just make sure that when you do you are not sacrificing strength. Smarter packaging shouldn’t be unstable – if it is, you’ll likely have more damages come delivery day. A high quality product should be designed with your exact specifications in mind – don’t skimp here. 

When you decide to make the change to improve your costs for shipping packages, you may be surprised that even a small change can make a big difference. For example, one change to a product’s package can subsequently lead to the ability to fit more products in a smaller case, and therefore more cases on a pallet. This means greater trailer capacity utilization, as well as a decrease in the number of shipments you ultimately send out. Seeing the dollar value now? 

When it finally comes time to rethink your shipping approach, start at the beginning – look at how the structure, size and weight of your product packaging impacts cost and efficiency. When it comes to shipping packages, a little change can go a long way.  

For more challenges with shipping packages or to revamp your shipping strategy, please contact Packaging Technologies Inc. at 1-800-303-5883.

Retail Ready Packaging: Does it Really Matter?

In the retail world, packaging plays a major role in the perception of your brand and how it is received. But what if your design doesn’t accomplish everything that it needs to do – specifically, meeting the expectations of retailers with certain packaging expectations. We are talking here about retail ready packaging (also called shelf-ready or display ready packaging). This type of packaging is favoured (and increasingly required) by retailers across the nation – so how can you comply? 

Retail ready packaging is packaging that can be taken from a shipping container and easily transferred to the shelf with very little unpacking or set-up. Retailers are becoming quick to expect this of brands, due largely in part to the convenience and cost-effectiveness of both stocking and waste management.

So, are retailers the only ones to benefit from retail packaging such as this? Are you required to conform but see no end results for a new process? No. Shelf-ready retail packaging is beneficial to both you and your retailer. Not only are you making it easier for a retailer to move your product, you are creating a display that is both recognizable (increasing brand awareness and recognition) and creative (enhancing brand image).  

The benefits are also financial. Not only are you paying less because there is less packaging to be created, you are also paying less for shipping because the box will likely be lighter. When you reduce the weight, you reduce the cost.

What about those stores without a retail ready strategy? Are you best served to stick with what you’ve already got? In some situations sure, it may be easier – but that doesn’t mean that it is your best bet. Even if the store does not require shelf-ready packaging, it does not mean that they don’t prefer it. If you provide it, this could mean prime placement because it benefits the retailer’s bottom line.  

Another bonus with retail ready packaging is sustainability. Since this type of packaging requires less unpacking, this also means less waste because the majority of the packaging is used for display. When you work with a supplier focused on sustainability you can also be sure that the end waste is recyclable and therefore the overall carbon footprint is reduced.  

Retail ready packaging is becoming more and more popular for both retailers and brands alike, and exact specifications based on retail expectations are becoming increasingly common. Don’t get caught changing your packaging plan at the last minute – work with a retail ready packaging supplier to get a plan underway now.

For more about shelf-ready retail packaging please contact Packaging Technologies Inc. at 1-800-303-5883 or visit us online at www.ptibox.com.

The Benefits of an Annual Packaging Audit

The New Year is upon us, and it is time to think about your yearly objectives. What better way to plan for the coming year than by looking back – at what worked and what didn’t! This year, take advantage of the many benefits of an annual packaging audit and get that resolution in the works.

 

First of all, what is an annual packaging audit? A packaging audit is a process by which you identify and analyze the types and amounts of product and shipping packaging produced on an annual basis. The objective of this audit is to help detect those things that are working well and to spot the areas where improvement would be useful.  

Benefits of an annual packaging audit: 

o   Regain a clear focus on your core business

o   Identify areas of strength and weakness

o   Learn about packaging solutions that work  in the real world

o   Ramp up sales with innovative and creative changes

o   Save money – both on production and shipping costs

o   Become more sustainable 

What can you take from the results of your packaging audit? 

Were sales great last year? Things seem to be working well? That’s great! Does that mean that improvements don’t need to be made? No. Remaining stagnant won’t necessarily net anymore profits for this year – so stay ahead of the game and keep things moving. Maybe think about the minor tweaks that can be made that don’t actually change the overall look and feel of your design. 

Was last year not as fruitful as you would have liked? Might be time to rethink your marketing plan. New and improved packaging might be the answer. Think about a new design – one with various colours. Innovative technology such as flexoprint PrePrint offers more colour selection and combinations and improved printing quality. Another option may be retail ready packaging to further meet retailers’ expectations or to catch the eye of customers.

What about sustainability? Perhaps your numbers are strong but your waste output is also high – and therefore not super eco-friendly. This might signify the importance of switching to a manufacturing company with an eye to the earth – one with a process that focusses on reducing waste and decreasing their carbon footprint. It may also mean shrinking the size of your packaging and therefore the material used – which will also save on shipping.  

An annual packaging audit is an intelligent idea no matter how you look at it. Even if you feel as though things are working like a well-oiled machine, it never hurts to glace back to help maintain your current road to success.

For more about how to conduct an annual packaging audit and to improve on those core areas, please contact Packaging Technologies Inc. by calling 1-800-303-5883.

 

The Benefits of an Inventory Management System

Whether you are in the retail or CPG industry, inventory management likely takes a great deal of time. Keeping track of stock, maintaining accurate counts, and making sure that you have enough product to meet demand is tough in and of itself. But when coupled with the need to also keep track of and store packaging, this can become even more difficult. There are no two ways around it – you need to package your product – but do you actually need to store that packaging on-site? Maybe not. 

Not many packaging suppliers offer inventory management systems, but if you are looking for a way to deal with your inventory issues, this is definitely the way to go. There are a number of very important benefits to a packaging inventory management system - the biggest benefit being space. No matter how big your warehouse is, there is always the need for more room. If your packaging is being stored on-site, but you require extra room, things either get shoved into every available nook and cranny – making further product inventory far more difficult and perhaps leading to avoidable damages – or are housed off-site (which means more monetary output). An annual audit can also help to identify any opportunities to streamline and consolidate your packaging process, thereby resulting in less inventory and cost savings.  

Make and release. What happens when you work with a packaging company that creates boxes or packages, but once the construction process is complete they are shipped to you and you need to find a place to store them – here is where that space issue we just mentioned comes into play. Instead, find a company that will make your custom packaging and house it for you until you need it. Releasing your product on an ‘as-needed’ basis means that you don’t have to worry about housing stock or ever running out of it.  

Automatic or prescheduled release of inventory. Don’t want to cut things too close, even with a just-in-time delivery system? The right supplier can offer you an inventory management system that preschedules your releases based upon your tracking records. This means that a steady stream of product is ready when you need it. And, if business picks up, just adjust the schedule to fit the growth of your business. 

Having everything, all in one place, makes business so much easier, so why not apply this theory and practice to your packaging supplier. Find a company that can offer you creative and unique designs, innovative construction processes and an inventory management system that offers make and release. Stop worrying about space – let someone worry about it for you! 

For more about an inventory management system for your packaging supplies please contact Packaging Technologies Inc. by calling 1-800-303-5883.

Retailers: Does Your Product Marketing Strategy Compete?

The changing face of retail is a topic that seems to be getting a great deal of attention these days – and for good reason. Many significant changes have taken place over the last few months, and many of these changes have made adaptation a necessity. These are two of the biggest – how do they impact you and how can you compete? 

The entrance of Target on the retail scene. People love a deal, and Target boasts about its low prices, continually drawing in customers. And other big box stores are still going strong so how do you compete? Your marketing strategy needs to take this change in stride, making use of current product marketing trends like design and sustainability to keep customers coming back for your product versus something from the competition.

The growth of e-commerce – with millions of dollars a year being done through online sales, this is a big change that presents challenges for both brands located at mom and pop shops and online retailers. The ability to shop online, at any time, is a very enticing prospect for consumers – something that can be detrimental to brands. So how do you compete? Much like you would to deal with those bog box stores, you need to ramp up your product marketing strategy. Once that customer enters a store, your product packaging needs to influence them to purchase, and having enticing and interesting packaging is one of the best ways to do this. 

What if you are an online retailer - how do you compete? Sure, the fact that online sales continue to rise is great for online retailers, but this also means more competition. Even more challenging – for those retailers that only sell online, your chance for recognition decreases because you don’t have a store on the ground. A good way to deal with this is by shipping out your products in branded packaging, rather than just a plain, brown box. Thanks to the number of people who handle your package en route to the customer, there are many great opportunities for recognition here.  

With the major changes taking place in the retail industry in Canada, it is only smart to change and adapt with the times. Trying to ignore this evolution will only work to your disadvantage in the end, leading to extra time and money to catch up.  If your product marketing strategy can’t compete, it might be time to consider making some changes of your own. 

For more about intelligent product marketing that meets the needs of today’s ever-evolving economy please contact Packaging Technologies Inc. at 1-800-303-5883 or visit us online at www.ptibox.com.