Finding ways to save money on packaging represents a smart decision for businesses in the current financial climate, as many owners and heads of procurement make the decision to reduce overheads in the short-term with the goal of securing long-term stability.
Contrary to popular belief, saving money does not have to result in a compromise on quality. Corrugated packaging in particular opens the door to a number of cost-saving efficiencies, allowing businesses to economise their overheads while maintaining a commitment to quality, sustainability and brand exposure.
Given the popularity of online shopping, most people have experienced receiving a parcel with packaging that is oversized for its contents and full of wasted space.
Oversized packaging represents a multitude of inefficiencies, including wasted materials and transportation space. Bespoke packaging, which is designed to fit the items inside, represents a smarter investment for brands because it reduces unnecessary overspend on outer packaging and protective inner packing materials, and creates space in transit when the items are delivered to customers or retailers.
Corrugated packaging is adaptable and can be designed to accommodate bespoke requirements. From miniature trees to clothing, there’s no excuse for waste when corrugated is the material of choice.
Overpacking is another sin which numerous brands are guilty of. Using too many boxes in the transportation and delivery process leads to unnecessary waste and significant overspend on packaging which, with careful planning, can be smarter and work harder to repay its investment.
A perfect example of the less is more approach is shelf-ready packaging. Designed to function in transit and on supermarket shelves, shelf-ready packaging uses perforations and hoods so that part of the box can be removed when it hits the shelves – acting as a neat display container to grab attention and encourage purchasers to pick up the products inside. From chocolate to cheese, the decision to employ cost-effective shelf-ready packaging is a mainstay for many brands including Aldi, Lidl and Asda, although other supermarkets are available.
This approach is by no means exclusive to packaging, but the more you purchase in a single transaction, the lower the individual unit price. While this is not new information to purchasing managers, planning ahead for seasonal moments in the year when packaging is typically in higher demand allows businesses to invest at the right times for the right quantities and reduce expenditure.
Our stock and serve model is designed to offer greater flexibility for businesses when ordering their packaging. With ample storage space at our Loughborough head office, brands have the option to order packaging and store it in our warehouse before calling off quantities on a ‘just in time’ basis. This approach presents a further cost saving for our customers, who can maximise every square foot of their own premises by avoiding wasted storage space.
Sustainability remains at the top of agendas, with increasing pressure for individuals and businesses to find ways to make sustainable materials serve a purpose for longer.
While plastic packaging is widely known for its longevity, its environmental impact makes for difficult reading, with plastic production and disposal accounting for roughly 3% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. The movement to switch to sustainable packaging is growing and corrugated packaging is viewed as a strong alternative because it is less harmful and more efficient to recycle and reuse when compared to plastic.
Returnable corrugated postal packaging has been adopted by many big retailers, and the food and drink industry is seeing the benefits of reusable transport and shelf-ready packaging. Our own corrugated bakery trays are a testament to this approach. Corrugated board’s construction, married with considered design choices which prioritise longevity, can make this material the king of reuse and recycling while saving money.
Speak to our experts for advice and guidance on how to maximise your packaging budget, while making the conscious choice to choose corrugated for a more sustainable supply chain.
