[ES] Prepare your e-commerce for Black Friday + EcoResponsible

Despite the turbulent times experienced in recent years as a result of armed conflicts, the rising cost of living and inflation, for Christmas 2023 Think with Google predicts that the shopping season will be marked by a certain optimism, so that consumption in Spain is expected to grow above the average for European countries. This is the period when more than 30% of the year’s e-shopping takes place and 31% of product searches are carried out.

The Spanish public is increasingly planning Christmas shopping in advance, so specific dates such as Black Friday or Cyber Monday are very important times to carry out these transactions. Knowing what customers expect is essential for companies when designing their marketing strategies. In addition, it must be taken into account that e-commerce continues to grow, to such an extent that online sales increased by 16% in the last Christmas of 2022 compared to those of 2021.

At the same time, concern for the environment has become a priority, and is increasingly influencing the purchasing decisions of the population, who are asking brands to get involved in protecting the environment. Therefore, they demand sustainable solutions in their purchases. You can provide them with these solutions from your online business. Use EcoResponsible packaging and take into account the following tips for Black Friday 2023 that we propose at RAJA®.

EcoResponsible packaging, the protagonists of Black Friday 2023

70% of respondents to a survey conducted by BCG in 2020 say that, following the advent of COVID-19, they are more aware of the environmental impact generated by human beings. As a result, 40% are willing to adopt more sustainable habits. In fact, in the wake of the pandemic, 27% are more likely to reject single-use plastics, while 26% prefer products in bulk or with minimal packaging. McKinsey also found that products made from paper and board and films made from renewable and compostable materials are among the packaging options that consumers perceive as most sustainable.

The FMCG sector’s commitment to this shift in thinking is already evident. A McKinsey report highlights that 60% of companies in this area are committed to recycled and recyclable packaging; 26% are working to eliminate superfluous elements in packaging; and 14% are promoting innovation and social evangelism.

Black Friday 2023 is presented as a golden opportunity to deepen these types of initiatives. RAJA® invites you to reinforce the eco-friendly spirit of your brand by putting into practice our 5 R’s of packaging:

1. Reduce the size of your packages

Adjust the packaging to the dimensions of the goods, declare war on empty spaces and optimise the volumetric weight. This not only protects the environment, but also your company’s finances. While the savings per package may seem insignificant to you, the final total value of the added costs may not be. Did you know that removing an olive from a salad in 1987 earned American Airlines $40,000 a year? Then draw your own conclusions.

These three packaging items will help you on your mission to reduce the size of your packages on Black Friday 2023:

2. Reuse your packaging

Reusable packaging is your best friend on Black Friday. According to data from the logistics association UNO, reported by El Español, the average return rate for online purchases is 24.5%, a percentage that increases between five and ten points at times like Black Friday. So, if you know that one out of every four shoppers (to put it mildly) is not going to keep your product, sending it to them in round-trip packaging that simplifies the return process will ensure that the merchandise is returned in perfect condition.

3. Replace the most polluting materials with EcoResponsible alternatives.

Banish single-use plastics and opt for packaging made from renewable raw materials, made from recycled and recyclable materials. There are dozens of possibilities in the RAJA® eco-friendly packaging catalogue.

The choice of EcoResponsible packaging can also influence the recipient’s decision to recycle or not. If you choose packaging items made from a single type of material, the task of depositing waste is simplified, avoiding the temptation to throw everything into the same container because we don’t feel like stopping to separate the components or we don’t know where to dispose of each one.

4. Renew your packaging and introduce bio-based raw materials

Biodegradable filling chips made from corn starch, 100% recycled bubble wrap, compostable bags… Packaging made from bio-based materials or fully recycled raw materials will take you a step further in your commitment to green logistics.

As we explain in our dictionary of environmental and packaging terms, biodegradable and compostable products disintegrate over time into harmless microscopic particles that return to the environment without causing any harm.

Recycle as much as you can and get involved in the circular economy.

The ultimate goal of all these efforts is to ensure that your business activity on Black Friday 2023 generates as little waste as possible, which is the principle that gives meaning to the circular economy. Focusing on packaging, what can you do?

• Recycle, recycle, recycle: leftover products used in order preparation, returned packaging, packaging from your suppliers…
• Make sure your packaging is labelled with the appropriate pictograms, which make it clear whether an item is recyclable and where it should be deposited for disposal.

What are the best-selling RAJA® packaging products on Black Friday?

The demand for EcoResponsible packaging is on the rise Black Friday after Black Friday. At RAJA® we have noticed this in a number of product ranges, such as:

• Cardboard postal boxes and packaging..
• . kraft paper adhesive tapes ..
• . EcoResponsible packaging and protective packaging ..

1. Immersive shopping experiences

Customers increasingly have at their fingertips tools that offer immersive shopping experiences such as Google Lens, augmented reality technologies or virtual reality. In addition, many consumers are turning to short video formats on social media to discover new brands and products. The profile looking for these immersive experiences is mainly the under 35s, as they are more willing to use these alternatives.

2. Searching for the best

While customers are still looking for discounts on items, an increase in optimism is making them less price-sensitive. In addition, online search trends include the term “better”, indicating a willingness to invest in value-added products.

3. Thoughtful and review-based shopping

Before making a purchase, the Spanish user makes online comparisons across multiple channels. As consumers are becoming more and more demanding, they tend to consult product reviews and ratings to be better informed before making a purchase decision. Searches for reviews have grown by 27% in the first half of 2023 compared to the previous year.

4. Increased online spending

The Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2023 report by Webloyalty forecasts a 20% increase in spending, with an average of 162 euros per person. In addition, online sales have been increasing steadily throughout the year, so that online retailers can achieve a 45% higher volume of orders than at the same time last year.

5. The telephone, the favourite means of purchase

When it comes to making purchases, the mobile phone tops the list as the most common means of online shopping for 61% of shoppers, followed by the computer, with 36.6%. Tablet is the preferred device for only 1.7% of shoppers.

Black Friday 2023 at RAJA®

And you, who are preparing your business to succeed this Black Friday, why don’t you also take advantage of RAJA® discounts to stock up on the most innovative and reliable packaging? Put yourself in our hands and make a commitment to the environment with our EcoResponsible products.

We are your partner packaging partner, also on Black Friday!