Take Your Retail Experience from Good To Great With These Custom Packaging Tips

Take Your Retail Experience from Good To Great With These Custom Packaging Tips

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Even with the COVID-19 pandemic shifting the retail industry’s landscape toward eCommerce on a global scale, in-person shopping experiences are increasing in both consumer demand and desire. People like the tangible aspect of shopping in person and are craving in-store endeavors, which by nature, are centered around the experience and emotional satisfaction of buying.

For general retailers, it is important to ensure your in-person storefronts and every touchpoint in them – no matter how seemingly small – are not neglected. Shoppers expect your products to match up with your brand in that they are high-quality, fashionable, and values-based – why should your retail packaging be any different? 

With every brand in the book competing for consumer attention, your packaging marketing strategy can help you stand out from the noise. Read on as we discuss how custom retail packaging can elevate your storefront and different ways you can raise the bar.

4 Critical Custom Retail Packaging Considerations

There are quite a few things that go into the custom retail packaging process, however, the four main things you need to consider when creating your retail packaging are: 

1. How will your consumers get their goods from your store to their doorstep, and will it be a pleasant experience?
2. Who will see your retail packaging on this journey and will it pique consumer interest or drive them away? 
3. Does your retail packaging align with your store’s branding? 
4. Is your retail packaging enjoyable and engaging, or does it simply just “do the job?” 

Think about the answers to these questions and compare them to your goals. It is important to note that the benefits of high-quality retail packaging are twofold: 

• They delight your current consumers, which garners brand loyalty 
• They catch the attention of new ones – which boosts brand awareness 

Overall, you need both loyalty and awareness to grow and sustain your business. Loyal consumers turn into brand advocates. And the next time the “aware consumer” needs a product, they may pay you a visit since you have done a great job at keeping your brand top-of-mind.

Along with these key considerations, you must not forget about your target consumer’s desires. For example, sustainability is a driving force behind consumer buying behavior in your particular industry. Shoppers are inclined to buy from brands that display similar values and will even pay more to do so.

Now that you know what to consider when creating your retail packaging, let’s discuss what components you should focus on and how to take them up a notch.

Create Shopping Bags That Are Anything But Basic

Shopping bags are a critical, classic, and common packaging component for brick-and-mortar retailers. While you may already know this, not all shopping bags are created equal. 

Your shopping bags should include your brand name or logo and brand colors. The rest of the design elements are up to you – however, the more on-trend and unique your packaging, the better. Do not be afraid to be playful, engaging, and exciting with your brand assets. After all, if you are not generating excitement at every touchpoint, it will be much harder to keep consumer interest in this highly-competitive industry.

Paper Shoppers

Paper shoppers can be made in all different shapes, sizes, and styles – and just because they are made of paper does not mean they will not be durable; take paper shoppers made from kraft paper and dyed cardboard, for instance. Another major benefit of paper shoppers is their environmental friendliness. You can make them from post and pre-consumer waste and recycled materials. If you want your bags to be green, through-and-through, opt to make them biodegradable and recyclable. In addition, you can elevate the experience, stimulate consumers’ tactile senses, and create more durable bags by choosing handle materials like ribbon and rope.

Garment Bags

These shopping bags are a beautiful enhancement to your consumer experience. Upon purchase, you can give consumers these bags to protect their new clothing. Then, they can reuse it throughout the product’s lifespan to keep it in great condition – and even as they travel. Garment bags are just as customizable as any other packaging component. You can have your brand name and logo printed on it, incorporate fun patterns and shapes, customize their color, and more. You can also include handles and a zipper closure to make them more convenient.

Reusable Totes

Reusable totes are a powerful packaging component. On one hand, you are giving consumers something useful for free with their purchase. On the other, this serves as a strategic packaging marketing tactic – the more you can get your brand in front of others, the better. Since reusable totes are, as their name implies, reusable, you benefit from this exposure every time a consumer uses your bag in their daily life. In addition, their reusability eliminates waste – it is a win-win-win!

Reusable Drawstring Bags and Pouches

From full-sized to miniature drawstring backpacks and pouches, these reusable bags are great for more delicate items like jewelry, sunglasses, household items, health and wellness products, footwear, tech products… the list goes on. Wrap your products in these bags to protect them on their way home and, as stated above, give your consumers something extra.

You can make all of your reusable bags out of a wide range of materials including canvas, vinyl, polyester, and beyond. They can also be created with sustainable mediums like cotton, jute, washable paper, and RPET. 

Elevate the Experience With Fashion-Forward Secondary Packaging 

The primary components are the ones that everyone sees, so you may be more inclined to focus on those. However, details can make a big difference.

Gift Boxes

If your consumers mention that their purchase is a gift for a loved one, you can always offer gift-wrapping as an option in-store. Gift boxes make the purchase ready to be delivered in a way that “wows” while also getting your brand in front of more eyes. You can choose from two-piece rigid boxes with lids, drawers, folding, or magnetic closures. Switch up the design by printing the inside of the box to match the outside, and do not forget the finishing touches, which we will get into next.

Printed Tissue Paper and Custom Tissue Seals 

Presentation is everything. If you decide to implement gift boxes as part of your packaging solution, these secondary components can complete the experience. Tissue paper and matching seals are a nice finishing touch for retailers that use shopping bags, too. Not only do these protect your products but they also give the consumer the satisfaction and excitement of opening a gift. 

If you have more fragile items, wrapping them in custom tissue paper is also a smart way to protect your products as they make their way to their new home.

Flat and Folded Cards

If you have sales going on, new product launches, exciting company news, upcoming events, or even just want to say “thank you,” flat and folded cards are a nice way to do so. Slip one of these into your consumer’s shopping bag or box. Along with the valuable information you want to share, you will also want to make sure these are on-brand to provide a consistent experience.

Printed Hang Tags

You can also add hang tags to your products to replace traditional plastic tags that are punched through your products. Print your name and logo on these and include any details such as product information, price, care instructions, and more. Taking the extra time and care to include these on your products will show consumers that you always go the extra mile.

Custom Packaging Bag Creation Does Not Have To Be Complicated 

Custom retail packaging requires forethought and an investment of time, energy, and resources. As a general retailer, it is likely that amidst constant economic and industry changes, you experience challenges in global logistics management, cost savings, and even adapting to all of this change. 

At Edge2Edge, we are experts in custom packaging innovations, design, manufacturing, and distribution. We also specialize in sustainable components and can help you get packaging that is made with green printing methods, materials, manufacturing procedures, and supply-chain processes. Plus, our robust network of suppliers and high-volume manufacturing capabilities ensure you never miss a beat.

Ready to enhance your retail packaging? Contact us today.