Top Packaging Innovations Enabling E-commerce Growth & Sustainability (chainstoreage.com)

Until recently, packaging optimization was largely overlooked as brands and retailers scrambled to keep up with exploding e-commerce demand and customer expectations for faster deliveries.

Now, packaging has become one of the highest priorities for many e-commerce providers. End consumers have made their voices heard and have demanded that providers focus on waste and recyclability of the e-commerce packages they receive. Providers are challenged with addressing often conflicting sustainability objectives to gain the approval of internal and external stakeholders. Ship your product in a box that seems too big and you’re sure to hear about it from customers on social media. If you shrink wrap packages too inadequately, you risk the product arriving damaged resulting in an even more dissatisfied customer. Move to a poly bag solution to reduce shipping costs and face criticism not only from end consumers for using non-recyclable materials, but also from in-house marketers for diminishing their brand image.

It is no surprise why providers and retailers feel like they are facing a no-win situation when considering changes to e-commerce packaging.

1. Carton Optimization – Research conducted by DHL Supply Chain found that on average 24% of the volume of an e-commerce package is empty space.
2. Reusable and Recyclable Packaging – Another solution to e-commerce sustainability goals that has been effectively deployed and will likely grow in the coming year is the use of reusable packaging.
3. Integrated Packaging Management – Packaging processes that are siloed from other fulfillment processes resist true optimization.
   more detail at source: https://chainstoreage.com/top-packaging-innovations-enabling-e-commerce-growth-sustainability?utm_source=omeda&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NL_CSA+Day+Breaker&utm_keyword=&oly_enc_id=3347B1825112J2H