Across the globe, online shopping has become more popular than ever before. According to statista.com the online shopping revenue is projected to grow to about 4.48 trillion USD by 2021. Though desktops are the most popular device for online shopping, shopping through the mobile smartphones is bound to surpass any other forms of online shopping.
A couple of years ago, most people went to the actual store to buy the goods. They had to deal with the parking issues, weather, long queues at billing, the wobbly shopping carts, lugging the shopping bags from the car to home, besides going back to the store in case of exchange or return. All that has changed now. The buyer today has become a smart buyer as he/she has discovered the convenience of shopping online from the comfort of home or office.
The huge consumer demand, wider choice and variety of products available online has spurred the growth of online shopping. Goods from daily need items to electronics are now ordered online and delivered by all e-commerce across the globe.
Packaging has become a very important part of online shopping. The packaging protects the product from bumps, breakages and spoilage, which has made it an indispensable part of the order delivery process.
Growth of the packaging industry
This manifold increase in online shopping has compelled the seller to package the goods in safe and secure packaging material. The demand for packaging has increased tremendously. Packaging supplies include cartons, air pillows, bubble wrap, shrink wraps, poly bags, paper fill products, tapes etc.
The growth of packaging products is directly proportional to the online shopping. As more and more buyer will choose online shopping, the demand of protective packaging will increase along with the growth of the handling and shipping industry as well.
A large online seller will use automated machines to pack the products, while a small e-business will prefer to use the poly mailers, poly bags and other protective mailers instead of the cardboard cartons to cut down on the packaging as well as the shipping costs.
The size of the package to be shipped or couriered
The shipping or courier company charges as per the size and weight of the product. The more compact and light weight the packing, the lesser you spend on packaging, which otherwise eats into your profits. According to the product that is to be packaged, the different packaging material are chosen.
Customized packaging for each product
The packaging requirement of every product is different. When a company is shipping clothing, the biggest concern is that the clothing should be clean when it is delivered to the buyer. Similarly, the glassware when shipped has to reach the buyer intact. The packaging for the glassware must prevent breakages.
Purchasing grocery online is one of the most convenient options available for the working people as well as the aged and invalid. They can easily get the weekly grocery delivered to their doorstep that is packaged in FDA and USDA approved poly bags that prevent the food from contamination.
Flexible packaging products dominate the market today as they are highly cost effective. These include bubble wrap, air pillows, protective mailers, poly bags and paper fill products. The flexible packaging products are efficient in packaging a wide range of goods and effectively protect the content during shipping and handling.
Protection test for packages
The aim of the seller is to ensure that the ordered goods are delivered in good form. Each package that is to be shipped undergoes ‘hardships’ in transit. Listed below are a few checks to ensure that the package and goods reach intact to the buyer.
- Fill in all the extra spaces with a filler, that is foam balls, air cushions, paper shreds
- Conduct the four feet drop test
- Drop the package from a height of four feet on a hard surface so that it lands on the base, top, longest side, shortest side and corner
- Give the package a vigorous shaking for one minute
This is the kind of impact that is typical during shipping and handling of packages.
The packaging material industry is growing at a fast pace. The packers have an option to choose the packaging material as per the packaging needs. The online packaging supplies online portals are a huge warehouse of all packaging material that is required. They usually offer free delivery and discount offers and deals. Check for deals and offer before you make your purchases.
Author: Adam Kail
About the author: The author is an expert at Packaging Material Direct, Inc. (DBA PackagingSuppliesByMail.com) a leading stretch wrap manufacturing company located in NE Ohio. They are an industry leader in industrial shipping & packaging supplies, and the only extruder/converter of stretch film in the U.S. They also manufacture and source flexible packaging solutions, and are the leading provider of reclosable poly bags, tapes, mailers, packing slip envelopes, and other highly sought-after packaging supplies. They are the fulfillment manufacturer and shipper for products sold at Walmart and Home Depot.
