The Importance of Un-packaging

Are your online shoppers getting the same treatment as your in-store shoppers? Social media is abuzz with pictures of people showing off products they bought online; YouTube especially has many "Unpackaging" or "Unboxing" videos, where one not only talks about a particular product on camera but also opens the box it comes in.

According to an article in Ecommerce Platforms which discusses the 2015 Dotcom Distribution Packaging Report:

"Unboxing videos are becoming more and more popular, and 35% of the survey respondents actually stated that they had [watched] an unboxing video in the past, and of those 55% said they ended up purchasing the product because of this video."

However, your products will not end up on a viral YouTube video if you don’t add some flare to that e-commerce packaging! We suggest the following:

• Ditch the plain cardboard box. While you might want to remain discreet with standard cardboard on the outside, print the inside of the box or insert an wrapped gift box within the shipping box.
• Tie it up. Add a ribbon or bow to the inside package. Or, include marketing materials or promotions in the package, and tie them up in a flattering way with the products.
• Stuff It. There are many economical (i.e. light) fill options for boxes, including shred or tissue, that help not only protect your merchandise, but also add an extra hue of color and excitement.

Beautify your packaging and see the love for your product rise. Contactus for more information on ecommerce packaging.

Lightning Fast Delivery - Just What Small Business Needs!

Amazon, ever the innovator, is changing the way retail delivery works once again. Back in 2005, when Amazon started its premium “Prime” service that offered two-day delivery, many found themselves asking if it was really “necessary”. In the last 11 years, though, consumers have shown that the question isn't whether or not speedy delivery is necessary, it's whether or not consumers are willing to pay for it. In 2014, the same debate started again when Amazon launched its even-more-premium “Prime Now” service that offers delivery as quick as one-hour. The service began limited to Manhattan, but has since expanded to include most major cities in the United States, and some beyond.

Other companies, like Macy's partner Deliv and Uber's UberRUSH and UberEAT, have seen the potential of getting consumers their goods as soon as possible, and have gotten on board with the new delivery trend. Companies like Instacart and DoorDash, services that deliver groceries and ready-made meals, respectively, are also beginning to branch out into the arena of same-day retail delivery.

And while giants like Amazon and Macy's are spearheading the practice of lightning fast delivery, this is an opportunity that seems tailor-made for small, local businesses. The problems that detractors frequently point out for behemoths like Amazon, specifically that near-instant delivery can become a logistical nightmare that would prove prohibitively expensive to expand beyond urban centers, is not an issue for smaller businesses with a narrower focus. Beyond that, as these businesses grow, they can keep same-day delivery in mind while building their infrastructure so as to avoid the same problems that other companies experience while expanding.

Given the trend in, especially millennials, favoring local businesses, this kind of hyper quick delivery could prove to be exactly the edge a brick and mortar operation needs to separate itself from the pack.


With the move toward quicker delivery, small business will also need eye-catching packaging to further set themselves apart. That's where we come into play. For top quality shipping materials, think Action Bag. For more information, feel free to contact us.