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Black Friday Packaging: prepare for peak sales
Black Friday Packaging: prepare for peak sales
Black Friday puts a different level of pressure on the distribution network.
Order volumes increase, packing benches are busier, and every part of the dispatch process needs to keep moving. Packaging is easy to overlook when planning for the sales rush, but running short of boxes, packing tape, void fill or mailing bags can bring a packing line to a standstill.
The best way to combat this is to plan your Black Friday packaging strategy. You need to choose packaging that protects products, is straightforward for your team to use, and most importantly, can be delivered quickly so you never run out.
Why does Black Friday packaging matter?
54% of UK shoppers plan to take part in Black Friday sales, according to a recent study. Another study found that returns increase by 80% over the Black Friday Period.
Black Friday packaging matters because Peak Season exposes weaknesses that may not be particularly noticeable during a normal trading week. For example, a box that takes 16 seconds to assemble can be perfectly efficient during normal demand. But when orders have doubled and there’s still the same amount of hours in the day? Swapping to a faster assembly can take up a lot of time.
Product protection matters too. Research into damaged deliveries has found that almost half of UK consumers surveyed had received damaged goods from online purchases in the previous 12 months.
That makes your choice of packaging boxes, protective materials and sealing products worth reviewing before Black Friday arrives. The aim is to build a packing process that your team can repeat quickly and consistently, even when order volumes increase.
Preparing for peak season isn't just about ordering more packaging.
It's about ensuring the right products are available, deliveries arrive when needed and your packaging processes remain efficient as order volumes increase.
What packaging is best for Black Friday?
There isn’t one packaging format that suits every Black Friday order. The best choice depends on what you are sending, how much protection it needs and how quickly your team needs to pack it.
For many businesses, a combination of corrugated boxes, mailing bags, void fill and reliable packing tape covers the majority of peak-season requirements.
Protective packaging needs to protect the product without making the packing process unnecessarily complicated. Paper void fill is particularly useful where you need to protect products inside the box.
The white honeycomb kraft paper roll is a practical option for businesses looking to use an aesthetically pleasing, paper-protective material. It can be pulled from the roll and formed around products as required, making it suitable for different order sizes.
It is particularly useful when your packing team needs flexibility rather than a different piece of protective material for every product.
For clothing, soft goods and other products that do not require the rigidity of a box, a mailing bag can make packing considerably quicker and more cost effective.
Mailing bags provide a simple way of shipping flexible, non-fragile products while keeping them enclosed during handling and delivery. Having a range of mailing bag sizes available is important during peak periods because using a box where one isn’t needed can add unnecessary packing steps.
Smaller products often need a different approach. A Jiffy Bag combines the convenience of a mailing bag with cushioning for products that need more protection than a standard bag provides.
This type of bubble bag can be useful for smaller, more delicate products where a conventional mailing bag would leave too little protection around the contents.
Choosing the correct size is important. An oversized mailer can use more material than necessary, while a bag that is too small can make packing awkward and increase the risk of damage.
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Tape is one of those packaging essentials that tends to disappear quickly when order volumes increase.
A reliable sealing process helps keep your packing operation moving, particularly when the same box format is being used repeatedly. This kraft paper paper tape is self-adhesive and can be used for sealing suitable cardboard packaging.
Whatever tape you use, make sure your team has enough available before the Black Friday rush begins. Running out of tape is a surprisingly effective way to stop an otherwise fully stocked packing station.
A returnable postal box can be particularly useful where customers may need to send products back. With online purchases, returns form part of the wider fulfilment process, so packaging that can accommodate the journey back can be worth considering when reviewing your postal box requirements.
One of the key benefits of a returnable postal box is that it ensures your customer has the materials they need to return the package to you. This directly works to reduce the amount of damage that happens during return transit.
How can you prepare your packaging for Black Friday?
The most useful time to review packaging is before the orders arrive.
Start with the packaging you use most often. Check how much stock you normally hold, how quickly it is consumed during busy periods and whether any of your key products have longer lead times. Then look at the packing process itself. If a particular cardboard box takes considerably longer to prepare than another format, or your team is regularly adding large amounts of void fill, it may be worth reviewing the specification.
Right-sized packaging can also make a difference. Using a box that is closer to the size of the product can reduce the amount of empty space that needs to be filled, reducing costs both per pack and for postage.
You also need to make sure you can actually get the packaging you need – when you need it. Springpack offers next working day delivery on stocked lines and call-offs when orders are placed before 3:30pm, giving businesses a way to replenish everyday packaging quickly when required.
Can packaging help reduce Black Friday returns?
Packaging cannot prevent every return, but good product protection can reduce the risk of damage occurring during storage, handling and delivery.
That is particularly relevant during Black Friday, when more parcels are moving through the fulfilment operation. A suitable box, protective void fill and an effective sealing method all form part of keeping products secure in transit.
Returns also make reusable packaging worth considering for suitable products. A postal box designed to be opened and closed again can give customers a practical way to return an item without finding completely new packaging.
How Springpack can help with Black Friday packaging
Getting ready for Black Friday doesn’t necessarily mean buying everything months in advance. It means understanding what you need, identifying which products require longer lead times and making sure everyday packaging is available when your order volumes increase.
Springpack can help with stocked packaging boxes, tape, mailing bags, protective packaging and other essentials, alongside bespoke packaging for businesses that need a specific size, design or branded finish.
A free Packaging Review is also available if you want to look at your current packaging more closely. This can help identify opportunities to improve protection, reduce unnecessary material or make the packing process more efficient.
For bespoke products, Springpack also offers stockholding and call-off agreements. This allows businesses to order larger quantities, have the stock stored by Springpack and call off the packaging as it is needed.
That can be particularly useful when preparing for a period where demand is expected to increase but warehouse space is already under pressure.
Black Friday packaging needs to work when your operation is at its busiest. The right box, mailing bag, protective material or tape can make the packing process easier, but availability is just as important as specification.
Reviewing your packaging before peak season gives you time to identify slow or inefficient formats, check your stock levels and make changes where they will have the greatest impact. For businesses using bespoke or branded packaging, starting the conversation early is even more important.
Whether you need everyday cardboard packaging, protective materials or a more considered bespoke solution, Springpack can help you review what you are using and find packaging that works for your operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What packaging is best for Black Friday?
The best packaging depends on the product being shipped. Cardboard boxes, mailing bags, protective void fill and packing tape are common choices for eCommerce orders, with the format selected according to product size, weight and protection requirements.
How do I prepare my packaging for Black Friday?
Review your packaging stock, forecast your expected order volumes and check whether your current packaging is quick and easy for your team to use. Order bespoke products early and make sure essential stocked lines are available before demand increases.
How can packaging reduce returns?
Suitable packaging can help protect products from damage during handling and delivery. Using the correct box size, protective material and sealing method can reduce movement and help products arrive in better condition.
What should I consider when choosing Black Friday packaging?
Consider product protection, packaging size, packing speed, storage space, material use and supplier availability. The packaging should protect the product while fitting into your fulfilment process.
Should I order packaging early for Black Friday?
Yes. Bespoke and branded packaging generally requires more planning than stocked products, so ordering early gives you time for design, approval, production and delivery. Everyday stocked packaging can usually be replenished more quickly, but it is still sensible to check stock before peak demand begins.
If you are interested in Packaging, Springpack are experts in the field. Our team of Packaging Experts have all of the answers to your packaging questions. Why not get in touch with us today?