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In today’s competitive retail environment, a well-designed package can make a huge difference in creating a successful brand identity. And as a business owner in this industry, you must understand the value and impact of it on your bottom line.
From choosing durable materials to creating catchy designs, every aspect is crucial in making or breaking your product in the marketplace. At packaging globe, we understand the significance of high-quality packaging and its impact on your business. Hence, we strive to provide our clients with high-quality, reliable services tailored to their unique demands.
everyone is dedicated to delivering innovative packaging solutions that protect your products and increase your brand reputation. We take pride in our attention to detail, quality craftsmanship, and timely delivery to ensure your products arrive at their destination in their original state.
In this article, we will dig deeper into everything you need to know about packaging in the retail business. It includes its functions, factors to consider when choosing a material, and examples of protective supplies.Get ready to take your packaging strategy to the next level with our expert guidance.
Functions of Packaging in Retail Business
Here are the major purposes that packaging serves in the retail industry.
Product Protection:
Packaging is critical in protecting your retail items from various elements. These include physical damage, moisture, air, light, and other contaminants. A high quality package will be a barrier to keeping the product safe from impacts and vibrations during its handling and shipping.
While it also prevents moisture from penetrating inside, which could potentially erode or spoil the item. It especially matters when you are selling electronic, pharmaceutical, or food products.
Inform the Consumer:
Packaging serves as the communication tool between the manufacturer and the consumer. It delivers valuable details about the product, like its features, benefits, usage instructions etc.
Let’s briefly overview the information that can be delivered to the consumer through packaging.
● The product information like its name, size, weight, and brand. At the same time, you can also add the ingredients, nutritional content, and allergen warnings in case of edibles.
● Instructions or directions on how to utilize the product, so buyers can ensure safe and effective use.
● Certification logos, like that of organic products or fair trade. They offer confidence to the buyer regarding the product’s quality and standard.
● Details about special offers, promotions, or discounts.
Brand and Product Promotion:
Attractive packaging can catch the potential customer’s attention, making them prefer your product over its competitors. This is only possible by mentioning the brand-related information on the packaging, like its values, logo, and message. You can use eye-catching graphics, colors, and fonts to set a unique identity for your brand.
Additionally, if your packaging is effective, you are most likely to retain loyal customers for your brand. High quality packaging across different products will create a sense of trust and familiarity amongst your consumers. While they will also start associating your packaging with the quality and reliability of your products.
And opting for sustainable packages will send off a clear message that your brand values are superior and fulfill all the responsibilities towards nature.
Increase Storage Effectiveness:
When it comes to storing products in a warehouse, space is one of the most critical factors. Hence, it is essential to optimize the available space if you want to save money. In that case, the compact and stackable packaging helps immensely.
This type of packaging is designed to be small while maintaining the product’s necessary protection. And the smaller the container, the less space it will occupy. The best part is that you can stack such boxes on top of each other without the risk of toppling. It will further optimize the vertical storage space.
On top of everything, you can potentially increase your revenue by storing and selling more items at once.
Control Environmental Impact:
Packaging plays a crucial role in the protection and preservation of products. Something that is not recyclable or biodegradable can harm the atmosphere. While it also does not give a good message from your brand to conscious individuals.
Choosing recyclable materials like paper or cardboard for packaging your products can make a huge difference. They can reduce the number of pollutants that make it to landfills and damage the environment. The sustainable alternatives will also increase your brand value and serve the purpose of protecting the planet for upcoming generations.
Store Multiple Items:
Packaging with slots can store multiple items in a single container, saving money by reducing the amount of material. While it maximizes the space as many items are placed in one large box instead of multiple small ones. It also helps prevent fragile items from getting damaged during shipping.
For example, jewelry is likely to get damaged if you store multiple pieces together. However, containers with slots can hold each piece securely.
Similarly, it is useful in the food and beverage industry as well. You can organize bottles and jars in different compartments, making it easier to retrieve individual items. The same goes for egg crates which store dozens of eggs securely and promote their safe transportation.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Retail Packaging Material
Cost:
Firstly, you need to dedicate a set budget for your packaging needs. Otherwise, it can impact your business with extra expenses. For example, it can affect the overall production cost of your retail items. With expensive packaging, the cost of the product will also increase. And you will have to change your pricing strategy to cover that amount.
Other than that, opting for high-end packaging materials may require additional design and printing costs. After all, making it attractive and appealing to consumers is also necessary.
Customers prefer sustainable packaging materials, which can be costly as compared to single-use plastic. In that case, paperboard works as a suitable and cheap alternative. It also offers additional customization benefits.
Protection:
This factor is especially important if you sell food-based items. With low-quality packaging, the quality of food can get affected. While there are some chances of it turning toxic as well. Hence, opting for a material that offers ultimate safety from external elements like moisture, light, dust, etc., is crucial.
You are responsible for ensuring that your packaging material, especially for food and pharmaceutical items, complies with the FDA’s guidelines.
Legit Printed Information:
While adding colors to your packaging will make it all fancy, what matters the most is the credibility of the information printed on it. In addition to being correct, all the details should be easily readable.
Missing out on any of the factors will affect your brand image. And you will not be able to maintain a trustworthy manufacturer-consumer relationship. Considering this factor is especially important for health or skin brands as they involve sensitive matters.
Right Packaging Size:
When designing packaging for a product, you must consider two critical factors. One is the appropriate use of packaging material, while the other includes leaving adequate space for branding and product information.
Using extra material can lead to bulky packaging, which will add to the production and shipping costs. On the contrary, too little of it can compromise the product’s protection. Hence, finding optimal balance is crucial to achieving a well-designed, cost-effective packaging solution.
Finding the right size is also about creating enough space to showcase brand and product information in an appealing and readable manner.
Durability:
According to consumer-based research, people prefer durability and ease of use when it comes to the packaging of retail items. Poorly constructed packaging is sure to leave a negative impression on your customers.
While they can also form a decision about your product being of low quality. Moreover, it also increases the chances of the product getting damaged, leading to lost sales or costly returns.
Some of the durable materials you can include in your packaging strategy are:
- Corrugated cardboard
- Plastic
- Metal
- Glass
Types of Protective Packaging Supplies
Besides ensuring the quality of your packaging containers, it is also important to evaluate the need to add an extra safety layer. Some items, like glassware, require more protection during transit than others. Here are materials that can help you achieve this goal:
Loose Fill:
Loose-fill packaging or packing peanuts are commonly used to maintain a layer of protection between items stacked together in a container. It comprises small, lightweight, loose pieces of material. You can place them inside a large shipping box to fill in the void. And it eventually protects the products from crashing into each other during transit.
It is made of materials like polystyrene foam, starch-based packing peanuts, or recycled paper. In general, paper is the most sustainable and cost-effective solution. However, your choice of material can vary according to the type of product, environmental concerns, and budget.
Shredded Corrugated Cards:
While a corrugated container is a popular packaging option in the retail industry, only a few know that its shredded form can also protect items during shipment. It is prepared by cutting cardboard into smaller pieces which makes it one of the low-cost and sustainable options.
Additionally, it is a lightweight material, so it will not add to your shipping budget at all. The best part is that you can prepare it from the wastage of your cardboard packaging. It saves a lot of your money and also minimizes factory waste.
Bubble Wrap:
Bubble wraps consist of small air-filled bubbles sandwiched between a plastic film’s two layers. This protection material is the consumer’s favorite as they love popping it out for fun. And there are no questions about its protection property to keep the fragile items secure throughout their journey from the warehouse to the customer’s hand.
From electronics to glassware and ceramics, you can find multiple items bubble wrapped. The air bubbles act as a cushion that absorbs shocks and impacts to prevent any damage to the product. With it, you will surely achieve higher levels of customer satisfaction and a decrease in the return ratio of defective pieces.
It is not sustainable, so if you are an environmentally conscious brand, you must choose any alternative.
Inflatable Airbags:
Inflatable airbags are typically made of plastic films inflated using an air compressor or pump. Their function is similar to other supplies, i.e., to prevent damage to shipping items. Airbags are lightweight, cost-effective and versatile, making them an excellent choice if you want to save money.
Polyethylene Foam Sheeting:
It is another versatile option that offers top-notch surface-level protection for your retail items during their shipment. These sheets are ideal for lightweight items. However, it might not be as cost-effective as other options. It is due to the need for proper wrapping, which requires a labor force.
Block and Brace Packaging:
It is a unique type of packaging that immobilizes the product to keep it safe from all sides. With this type of protection, neither your product will move inside the box nor will it rub against the other item. Here are some common examples of this packaging type:
- Molded pulp
- Pallets
- Foam blocks
- Plastic or steel straps
Conclusion
As we end our guide on retail packaging, it is clear that it is more than just a source of protection for your products. Instead, it is an extension of your brand’s identity and a powerful communication tool that will provide your customers with a unique shopping experience.
How you design your packaging has all the power to captivate loyal customers by creating a lasting impression. You can get as creative as possible with the color scheme, typography and images. But be mindful of balancing your artistic vision with practical considerations like cost and sustainability.
So choose and design wisely, letting your packaging represent your brand value. Your sales will surely rise if you make the most out of this aspect. For more information please visit packaging globe.
