How To Order Stuff Online Like A Boss

What’s that? You’re still wasting your time, money, and energy searching around various department stores and supermarkets? Let me fill you in on something. The time for in-store shopping is no more. I would be ashamed of myself if someone ever caught me in a Walmart or something like that. And it’s not just Walmart - I’m talking about Target, Meijer, TJ Maxx, you name it. Oh and don’t even get me started on dollar stores. Dollar stores are perhaps the most despicable forms of retail that have ever come to exist in the history of our planet. Talk about food deserts, right?

If you don’t know what food deserts are, it is a term used to describe the lack of fresh food that can be found in poverty-ridden, inner city areas. Not a lot of people know about the concept of food deserts, but it has become a real problem in urban America. Under-privlaged families do not have proper access to fresh meats, produce, and other goods that we often take for granted in areas where a Kroger is just around the corner. That’s where dollar stores come in, because they just pop in any random place and sell little debbies for 99 cents. Sorry, I got a little off topic for a moment, but I’m really passionate about the injustice and improper distribution of healthy, fresh food in America.

The main thing that I want to talk about today is online shopping. What I was trying to say earlier is that, if you are still shopping in stores, you are wasting your time. Straight up, I only ever order things online anymore. Ever since I started working from home during 2020 due to COVID19 regulations, I honestly could just lay on my couch for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I no longer need to leave my house to try to get groceries, clothes, toilet paper, or whatever else I need. That’s right, you’re looking at somebody who orders literally everything off of the internet. I will never even have to set foot inside a grocery store, I just use delivery services that go shopping for me and bring me my groceries. After all, who really wants to go grocery shopping ever again? Not only are the grocery stores always busy because everyone is trying to get dinner after work, but they are also set up in really frustrating ways that make it really hard to find anything.

I also started paying for Amazon Prime, which has been the single best decision of my entire life. I’m not kidding you guys, once you get that sweet taste of free, 2 day shipping, you will never go back. There is a reason that other websites are now promoting free shipping on all orders and deliveries - it’s because Amazon is kicking everyone’s butts and delivering cardboard boxes at alarmingly fast speeds. Seriously, I have so many cardboard boxes at my house now that I have no idea what to do with them. If you or a loved one is in need of boxes, just hit me up any day of the week (after 5:00pm of course, I’m a working man after all) and I can get you the boxes that you need. Anyways, thanks for reading!

Using Gable Boxes for Sustainable Packaging

 For a lot of people, gable boxes are not something that you usually can use. But they’re something that’s a great premium box. They’re cool because they can be made into any shape, design, and even size, based on what you need. The handles on this are the highlight, as you can use this to carry different items. They’re usually made from similar materials that the packaging box has. A lot of packaging companies will build this so that it secures the products completely.

They’re shipped and produced flat, then they can be assembled. A lot of color options can be used to enhance this type of box.

They’re a unique sort of packaging that delivers boxes in a unique way. With the high quality material, it’s used in a lot of different business sectors.

The Uses 

They’re made for delivering and storing boxes. The biggest thing is the handles. They’re used in the same way that boxes and bags are. They’re also used to package food, gifts, and a whole lot more. They’re also super versatile and can be used to even help with product launches.

They are also great for baked goods and candies, which are great for those looking to get crafty and cunning with this.  The cool thing about this is that you actually can embellish these too, offering unique decoration for you and your clients to love! 

This does have a window design too in order to inspire others, and boos the sales. They’re attractive, and these colors are what will entice the buyers. They’re delivered in boxes which are beautiful, and they make the product look better. Ty’s why many businesses will go for some packaging that’s printed with colors that are attractive.

Cardboard boxes are great for securing products entirely. It protects this from the different damages that are there too, and it helps keep the freshness for a very long while.

This is great for marketing, and it’s great to show off the sales objectives that the company has. Adding a logo, and even social media can help this stand apart from the rest.

Customizing This 

There are different ways to customize all of these. You can add a logo for the business, some kind of slogan, or even other types of social media focuses for this.

Different boxes can also be used based on different sizes for the needs of the customer. The handle is one of the best things for the job. It’s unique, and it can offer a better way for people to take these around.

Customized gable boxes are a way for you to stand out from the rest of the crowd, especially with the correct coloring technology in order to do this.

The type of thickness that you use is great for the needs that you have with your packaging. 

With all of the different kinds of depth and levels available for this, you can get one that fits the needs of your packaging. You can get different kinds of thickness, and also make it strong enough to withstand all of this weight.

There are tons of different printing options, including different finishes that’s used such as gold and silver foiling, for you to make it attractive for you. With different templates, you’ll be able to really shine.

Gable boxes are the future, and there are a lot of great ways to use it. We recommend checking these out if you want a packaging type that’s unique and different, but also will satisfy the needs of the customer that you have.

Metaverse Packaging Ideas

The metaverse is something brands are beginning to explore. With interconnected and augmented realities still being popular, the metaverse is a new contender in this. It does sound like science fiction, but virtual reality, or VR is actually a billion-collar market. So yes, virtual shopping, presentations, and experiences ARE the future. 

With the metaverse offering new flexibility with concepts, there’s also a lot of brands tapping into limited products, concepts, and detailed data so that a lot of designers make choices that are informed.   It is also something that can be customized to the preferences of the individual. 

The products will still be shipped, but with the metaverse, customers can look at virtual shelves, and comb over what they want, choosing your products and building your brand! 

Here, we’ll go over how virtual packaging, digital environments, and also interconnecting them through VR and AR is possible. 

Designing for Digital Storefronts 

It’s different to design for a digital storefront than to design for a brick and mortar store. Customers are coming to look at your items, and in turn, they want something that will enhance their items. 

Creating a packaging that’s designed well, and looks good, is definitely a great one.   You can also use unique imagery, and also various colors and details to make this work.   You’d be surprised at how these virtual shopping experiences and immersive branding is a good way to improve interactions. 

Integration of Digital Assets 

While the item is still physical in nature, one way to incentivize people to buy from you is to use the metaverse in order to help boost your brand. 

This can be used through virtual details and for a lot of people to look at the items through conferences.   You can also give them digital assets that they’ll get when they buy from you.

Think of it as a unique way to make it so that your items sell, and customers get a freebie out of it. NFTs and other virtual items are a good way to sell these. 

Why the Digital World Matters 

The digital world is constantly evolving, with new ways for brands to constantly evolve in their own unique ways.   With the advent of companies entering the digital space and working with consumers through packaging solutions, you’ll definitely be able to connect with customers in a new way. This immersive packaging may take some getting used to, but overall it does work, and excites people to have packaging experiences that work. 

However, there are some challenges that come with this.   There's the challenge of making your virtual packaging meaningful in the physical world. what can you use in the virtual world that will get people to actually buy from it.

The other problem is tapping into this market. It’s still new, so not everyone’s going to use it. Not to mention, there is also the fact that some people are hesitant about the virtual world, so they don’t really know what type of packaging experience they’ll get. Addressing their concerns is also a big part of this, and showing them product previews, ways the brand activates to help the customers, and some of the digital collectables they can get is a great way.

Overall, you want to make sure that the brand loyalty is completely tapped into, and really makes it useful for everyone. When you give your customers this, it does wonders. 

As a brand, starting to give your customers new ways to interact with your brand is a good way to build brand loyalty, and the metaverse is right there to help!

How Smart Locking Packaging is Changing Shipping security

While tamper-evident tape is a great thing to have, it only goes so far. There is a next step, the next move forward for you to consider when choosing the right mechanisms to protect your items. This comes in the form of smart locking for packaging. 

Smart locking involves the use of smart devices and technology to protect your assets. NFC tags are one example of this, as these tags will only activate with the presence of such items. 

There's also app-based access, where the item will not open up until you have an app open it directly, providing some next-level security. RFID sealed locks are another, where RFID chips will help to protect the items, keeping them in place, and sealing these locks. 

Supplies that Communicate to Inventory Systems 

The cool thing with smart locks is not only are they good for packaging, but they also communicate directly with your inventory system, synching up your packaging with automation for warehouses. Your packaging and warehouse automaton will definitely help with ensuring that your packaging fits with the system. That way, with packaging, your warehouse automation will tell you where these items are, and what’s coming from this. 

Reusable Smart Locks 

One cool, unique thing about these items is that they are reusable, so you can utilize them again and again. This is especially good for electronics, because so many electronics need the proper enclosure of such items, in order to keep things safe and secure. Legal documents are another one, because these high-value items will help with improving the protection of all of your assets, making them stronger. 

The same goes for medications and pharmaceuticals, and you’ll want to make sure that your medications are appropriately secured, especially when improving the shipping security of these items.   Having high-value items will in turn improve the overall experience of your items, making them better.

 

The Challenges for This type of Shipping 

So smart locking is a great tool. It’s technology that keeps things protected until it’s time for you to open it. However, there are a few downsides that come with smart locking your packaging.

The first, is the costs. Smart locks are not cheap. In fact, they might end up being a lot more than they should be.

The other downside is compatibility. While some smart locks and packaging are good, it doesn’t fit every single system. 

The other big part is not every customer is able to use this type of packaging, so you might end up having upset customers because of this newfound technology. The solution for that one is easier, offering some unique how-to guides and packaging strategies. If there are further questions, then you should contact these customers, discuss the matters with them, and from there, help them understand just what type of packaging they’re using. 

What the future looks Like 

Smart locking packaging is a new  future endeavor that does require a bit of strategy, however, we might see, from this alone, a lot of amazing, unique changes to come from this. That's because, with smart locking on packaging, you’re giving them something that they can use, improving the shipping security of such items. 

Intelligent closures are changing the shipping industry, and their security. By providing the smartest of all closures, your shipping will change for the better, improving the experience. Doing this now will help in the future.

Consider using smart locking today for all of your packaging needs, and to see for yourself the unique features that your packaging can offer to customers who utilize and enjoy these features.

How Flexible Packaging for Food Items will Help you

If you’re making food products, you need to become aware of packaging trends. This, of course, includes flexible packaging.  Wrapping and other methods are only a little different from regular packaging, as the main goal is to protect the edible items from any harm, along with improving the freshness. Freshness is key here, especially when compared to other types of items that might be packaged. 

Packaging solutions aren’t just there to protect however, they are the primary means to advertise the items that are there, and then establish the brand within the market. 

That is why, today we’re going to talk about why flexible packaging will change your company, especially if you’re in the food and drink world, and all of the possible queries and doubts that one might have when looking at this type of packaging for your business. 

Brand Connections 

Packaging that’s correct is basically a big neon sign that communicates with the audience targeted. For example, if you are selling alcohol towards a younger group of people, you may use fun, creative designs. This communicates that you fit their brand. 

The design and quality of these wrappers, along with other packaging, will attract more customers. This builds recognition amongst both new and existing customers. This is also why brands are looking at possible quality of the products within, along with the outer appearance of packaging that’s there too. 

It indicates the product quality 

Did you ever take a moment to look at the wrapping of items? Have you ever put something away because the packaging looked bad and the product looked torn and worn. 

A lot of us push products that aren’t to our quality away, and this is true especially for all sorts of wrapping. 

Remember, wrapping does indicate the quality of the product that’s within. As customers, we get convinced that some items aren’t fresh if the wrapping looks off. 

Companies need to be mindful of this, as it’s a very hard market to sell in. flexible packaging is creative, and with the way they are, it’s hard to wreck them.  You’ll have more sales, and people will see how nice the item is within. 

Keeping Items Fresh and Safe

The goal of food packaging is to keep stuff safe, so the flavor is maintained. 

That means that functional packaging is the way to efficiently handle all products, whether liquid or solids, or even edible products. 

This is because its flexible products, you can add handles, spouts, even little closures so that you can just seal them up when you’re done eating them. 

It’s great, because if freshness is key, then you’ll be happy to see that flexible packaging offers those needs.

Friendly to the environment 

Flexible packaging is also chosen by many not just because it looks right. 

With more food and drink companies switching to this, they’re also realizing it costs less in terms of materials and reduces one’s carbon footprint. 

This means that you’re not only getting durable, reliable items, but also something that’s eco-friendly too, which makes customers nice and happy. 

Easy on the wallet 

Finally, flexible packaging is a lot cheaper, as you can get these in bulk. Not just that though, but there is also the benefit of using less materials. 

For a lot of companies, making the decision to change is preferred, as this is something that’s very cost efficient in price. 

Flexible packaging is the future, and food and beverage companies will enjoy this, along with the myriad of benefits that this offers for a lot of people too.

Innovations in retail Packaging

There are new innovations happening constantly in the world of retail. They’re designed to adapt to different products, or stages of the shipping journey. It benefits the retail and shipping services in order to offer better adaptability, protection, and better space usage. Not sure what these innovations are? Well, you’re about to find out just what kinds of unique forms of packaging are really taking over the space. 

New technologies and Materials 

With a lot of retail packaging, there are new materials to try out. there are expandable materials, which means that they can expand and manipulate based on the needs of the customer. This is good for boxes that need to be differently-sized, especially in the case of packaging boxes that need to better fit some of the items that you have. 

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There are also boxes that are origami-inspired shapes. These designs are great for offering a unique means for your packaging experience, and to really home in just the types of items that you offer. 

With all of this as well, space usage and efficiency is also touted, so many customers look into that for their packaging needs. 

This type of packaging definitely can be great for a variety of reasons. 

Why these changes 

One might look at each of these novel packaging experiences and wonder why it matters. 

Well, odd shapes are great for protecting odd packages. Gone are the days when you stuff them in a regular old box and then pray that the box will help accommodate this packaging. Now, you can just put it in that weird little box, and it will get somewhere. 

For multi-part products, having an expandable box also changes that game.   You’re able to fit everything in there, without having to ship out multiple boxes. This saves time and energy, and also space too. Many customers thrive off this, since it can be a useful change that will help many people. 

The benefits of these uniquely shaped Boxes 

With these boxes, you’re getting a whole new world of customization. It enhances the product protection, reducing the need for additional void fill, or separate boxes. You’d be surprised at how much space this ends up saving you, and the perks of offering uniquely-shaped boxes for all of your packaging needs. It also saves you some money as well, since you’re not having to stuff it with void fill in order for it to work.

The biggest challenge is being able to afford all of this. shape-shifting packaging is expensive. In lots of cases, this packaging can sometimes cost a whole lot more, since it is super customizable. In this case, you need to also factor in the costs of everything.

The materials are the same way. You have a wealth of materials that you need to get and put in place with these shape-shifting boxes. it can sometimes cost you a whole lot more than you’d think. it can also take up a whole lot more space. 

Finally, there is reliability. Sometimes the shapeshifting boxes are just not too reliable. They are boxes that may be good for some uses, but not for all. In that case, you need to assess your packaging, and use it for the pertinent matters. 

Overall, with boxes, you need to factor in all of these matters, and figure out for yourself if the packaging is worth it. it might be good for proper assessment, and when you’re able to get this shape-shifting packaging in place, it will create a wealth of meaningful experiences for your packaging and those that are involved.

Eco-Tracking for Monitoring the Packaging Footprint

Packaging is going places, through tracking numbers and other such facets. Did you know that it can now track environmental data? Finding out just how sustainable your packaging is opens the door to new facets, and can actually show you the waste impact, along with the CO2 emissions. 

Here, we’ll go over some of the ways that eco-tracking benefits everyone, and why supply chains are using this type of packaging for their systems, to show a more sustainable, effective monitoring of how much of an impact you’re creating.

The Tech Behind This 

It involves using chips and sensors that are directly put into the packaging. It does some real-time monitoring the waste and the impact of such. it also looks at your emissions, telling you just how much of an impact you’re creating with this item. It might seem like something small, but sometimes, the realization that this can affect your supply chains and the effectiveness of being eco friendly is the wakeup call that some brands might need. 

It can be hard to accept, but with this, you’ll be able to improve the sustainability initiatives, and make it even better. 

The Applications 

This is used on a supply chain level.   Those that are looking to hit the certifications of being sustainable will benefit from this. With more companies caring about the sustainability that they look at, it’s something that many people should look into, in order to realize. 

You can also see this when monitoring how successful a business is at being eco friendly, and also is used by customers to see their own impact on the products that they love.

The Benefits 

More companies are priding themselves in being accountable for their products. When you are able to meet these sustainability initiatives, it improves customer satisfaction.

Customers want their companies to be mindful of their impact, and also some of the possible changes that they can make. Having a sensor that shows where the package is going, and how much it’s costing will demonstrate to customers and companies what they’re doing. This prompts companies to be more mindful of their shipping, possibly creating last-mile changes in order to improve how it gets from that last bit towards the customer. 

For customers, it also shows how much of an impact their decisions are making on the world.   If they're looking to be more eco-friendly, they can buy from companies that are promoting accountability, which also will improve the success of their efforts as well.

In a world where going sustainable and green isn’t just a suggestion, but practically mandatory these days, it’s important to consider these factors when making your products fit the standards that the customers will hold you to.

Future Predictions 

There are now more future predictions that come with this.

App integration is one.   Some companies are designing apps, or connecting their items to apps for customers to watch and manage their own sustainability initiatives. For consumers that aren’t’ focusing on this effort, it can be the wakeup call that they need to go green, and become more mindful.

Overall, improving your footprint and reducing carbon emissions is the goal of everyone in the world of packaging and ecommerce. To do this, you need to also be mindful of the effects that you create. This is definitely a possibility, and something that will showcase the real change.

These little changes, over time, will vastly improve the effects of your footprint, and will make not only the company look better, but also gets all of the customers involved in better efforts for everyone that’s involved.