[FR] CASA: choosing the right partner to become an e-commerce expert

Is your interior or terrace in need of a little refurbishment, or are you simply looking to add an extra touch of atmosphere and conviviality? Then CASA is probably the place for you. CASA is a network of interior design shops operating in 8 European countries. They sell everything from kitchen accessories and furniture to textiles and decorative items. For some years now, all these products have also been available on their own online shop. And that’s where RAJA comes in… We took the opportunity to meet Yens, Operations Manager at CASA. He tells us why they chose to work with RAJA and what packaging solutions caught their eye.

What characterises CASA?

“CASA is known as a shop selling quality interior products that are both decorative and functional. We offer all kinds of items to create a cosy atmosphere in the home. Our aim is to offer trendy yet affordable products. Our range changes with the seasons, such as Valentine’s Day, Easter, Christmas and summer. So our customers can make their homes as welcoming as possible at any time of year.

We can draw on over 40 years’ experience. The first CASA shop opened in Ottignies, Walloon Brabant, in 1975. Many others followed in the rest of the country, but also in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Switzerland. A new chapter opened in 2018, this time in the Netherlands, thanks to an acquisition that enabled 38 shops to adopt the CASA concept. The brand now has 480 shops in eight European countries. There are even some in Aruba and Morocco.”

How has RAJA played a part in your growth?

“The physical shop concept has played a key role in our strategy from the very beginning. In 2017, however, we launched a new sales channel: the online shop. At first, its activity remained moderate, but with the Covid-19 pandemic, it suddenly became our main point of sale. All our physical shops had to close in a very short space of time. It was thanks to our online shop that we were able to continue our business. Since then, we’ve been carrying out all our e-commerce activities in-house, in order to get goods to our customers as quickly as possible.

So we had to transfer all our activities to e-commerce in a very short space of time. And e-commerce also means ‘parcels’ and ‘shipping’. So we turned to RAJA. In fact, we were looking for a global solution for all our packaging activities. RAJA had everything we needed to deliver our products quickly and safely to the end customer.”

What packaging solutions does CASA use?

“For our e-commerce department, RAJA offers all the solutions for durable and efficient packaging. From this range, we mainly use different types of single or double flute cardboard boxes, but also tape dispensers and document pockets, which are essential for completing our shipments.

We use cardboard boxes mainly for shipping bulky or fragile products. To protect our most vulnerable goods, we use RAJA’s Geami Wrappak machine. This is the ideal machine for applying an impact-resistant protective layer. It’s an excellent alternative to traditional bubble wrap. Our packers use it, for example, to protect crockery, pottery, etc. On the other hand, for products that require little or no additional protection (such as textiles), we have opted for plastic shipping pouches. This allows us to ship very compact packages, without having to invest in additional cushioning material.”

How do you see your collaboration with RAJA?

“The speed of delivery is a major asset for us. Thanks to their large stock, we can be sure that the packaging we need is always available. In this sense, RAJA acts a bit like an external warehouse, where all the packaging materials are carefully stored. This gives us more space to store our own goods.

The quality of service is also a plus. All our questions are dealt with quickly and the answers are of high quality. That’s something we appreciate and value from a company we work so closely with.”

What is CASA planning for the future?

“One of the most important pillars of our future strategy is ecology. Our choice of products, packaging and shipping methods are our priorities. We are aware that customers are increasingly concerned about last-mile delivery. Tackling this issue in a sustainable way will become more important than ever. By opting for greener packaging, such as renewable cardboard or recyclable plastic, we are already taking a step in the right direction.”

Below is CASA’s full testimonial: