[ES] What is the best packaging for online clothing shops?
7min read
27/06/2022
There are sectors that have benefited greatly from the boom in e-commerce. One of them is fashion, which has managed to increase its sales by 43.6% in our country since the pandemic. The data, collected by the National Commission for Markets and Competition and echoed by Moda.es, corresponds to the third quarter of 2020 and takes into account the year-on-year evolution with respect to the same period of 2019.
Online sales have become the main driver of the fashion sector in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. The reasons are simple: the rapid development of supply, growing consumer confidence in payment systems, the rise of mobile devices and the smooth functioning of the logistics chain.
The sector’s turnover is also expected to soar in the coming years. Statista warns that revenues could reach €887.48 billion by 2025. If we add to this the fact that the clothing, footwear and accessories segment is the one that records the most returns in e-commerce, it is not surprising that many clothing shops are beginning to worry about having the most versatile options for shipping their orders. According to the report Compras online en España. Edition 2021 by ONTSI, 48% of internet users have returned a fashion purchase during 2020. At RAJA® we have prepared this article to give you all the details about the best packaging for clothing.
[tocHow to pack a garment correctly
The first thing to bear in mind before sending the garment to the customer is that each piece of textile is different. Although it may seem that clothes are light and easy to transport, it is necessary to take into account that some materials, such as linen, silk or angora, are more fragile than cotton or synthetics and therefore require packaging that protects them as much as possible.
When choosing boxes to send clothes, you should bear the following in mind:
1. Guarantee maximum protection
Adequate protection of the product must be guaranteed both during the preparation of the package and during shipment. From the time the garment is manufactured until it is delivered, it must be prevented from being affected by humidity or possible tears or snags.
2. Choose practical packaging
Opt for practical packaging that is easy to assemble and close and that simplifies the work of the operators during the preparation of orders. Bear in mind that it is common for each order to include more than one item, so it is advisable to have packaging that can be adapted for different volumetric weights.
3. Customer experience is the most important thing
Create a unique customer experience through packaging. Select the best packaging for clothing depending on the product you are going to send. Remember that sending jeans is not the same as sending a neck scarf.
4. Facilitate the return of the order
The rate of returns increases when clothes are purchased online. As it is not possible to try on the garments or footwear beforehand, there is a high chance that users will request an exchange of size or cancellation of the purchase if the product is not what they expected. Opt for round-trip packaging to facilitate this process.
Once you know what to look for before choosing the best boxes to send clothes, focus on surprising the user and differentiating yourself from the competition through packaging. You can do this in two ways:
Personalised packaging
When you sell an item of clothing online, you don’t just want to complete the transaction, you want to delight your customers when they receive their order at home. Personalised packaging is perfect for communicating brand values and creating a surprise effect when the customer opens the order. Aesthetics are very important in this sector, so you have to take the utmost care in the presentation of the order. Personalisation is also a powerful loyalty tool.
Round-trip packaging
The fashion industry is one of the sectors that generates the most returns and exchanges. Round-trip packaging contains a double adhesive strip so that it can be properly sealed the first time on the outbound journey and, if necessary, a second time on the return journey. This makes it easier for the customer to return the product and, at the same time, the brand promotes sustainability by reusing the same packaging.
The best packaging for sending clothes from an online shop
By now you are probably wondering which is the best packaging for the clothes you have in your shop. Pay attention because below we are going to give you different options to pack the merchandise and send it with all the guarantees.
- Self-assembly folding box. Easy-to-assemble boxes, like this one, are among the most commonly used in the fashion sector. They are delivered practically ready to use and, thanks to their neat presentation, they enhance the products inside. In addition, the kraft paper lining ensures that the contents are well preserved.
- Postal box with adhesive closure. These boxes are perfect for sending accessories. Bags, neckerchiefs, shoes… Very strong and secure.
- Postal box with reinforced closure. If you need to send shirts, T-shirts or trousers, choose the postal box with reinforced closure. The presentation is elegant thanks to its white interior and the sides are reinforced with 4 layers of cardboard.
- Postcard box with quick-assembly handles. In this case, the box is perfect for sending large quantities of clothes or for managing deliveries to distributors. It has handles on the sides for easy transport.
- Recycled opaque plastic bag. You can also opt for opaque plastic bags. They are flexible and light and adapt to all kinds of shapes. In addition, their characteristics reduce postal costs.
- Kraft paper envelope round trip. An EcoResponsible and equally lightweight alternative to opaque plastic bags. The kraft paper round-trip envelopes will be very useful for the user who has to exchange or return the purchased garment.
Can my clothing brand be EcoResponsible through packaging?
The days of throwaway fashion are numbered. Consumerism has caused an unsustainable situation for the planet. The textile industry is considered one of the most polluting industries. Without going any further, according to a study carried out by the OCU, this sector is responsible for 8% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Fortunately, the fashion world has taken the reins and is already applying sustainability criteria to its production and business.
Brands are increasingly opting to use recycled materials to make new garments or to replace traditional plastic bags in shops with paper ones. However, these are not the only actions that can be taken to promote sustainability in the sector and be an EcoResponsible brand. From e-commerce, packaging for the shipment of clothing has become a powerful ally in this task.
The textile industry can completely dispense with or at least restrict the use of products that are not biodegradable or that cannot aspire to a second life. In this sense, many brands have already set themselves the goal of working with 100% recyclable and reusable packaging. As they can withstand more than one use, reusable packaging is a great ally of the circular economy.
Do you want to incorporate EcoResponsibility in the choice of packaging for your online clothing shop? At RAJA® we will be happy to accompany you along the way.
