3 packaging trends to watch in 2021

Despite the global pandemic that crippled the beginning of the year, 2020 has been an eventful year for RAJA. The group has celebrated 65 years and reached the milestone of €1 million in turnover, and here in Sweden we have opened a new central warehouse at Landvetter and launched a new interactive product catalogue. Now we take new steps and look forward to the new year. Here are three trends in packaging you need to watch out for in 2021.

1. ‘The new normal’ raises the bar for e-commerce

Many of us have been shopping more and more frequently online, since the beginning of the pandemic. Postnord’s latest e-barometer, which measures Swedes’ online habits and is released quarterly, shows that e-commerce grew by 39% in the third quarter of this year, compared to 2019. With this, consumer demands are also increasing. Many businesses have now felt the pressure to add different payment and delivery options that customers are demanding. As e-commerce grows, it also becomes more important that the returns process works well and is easy for the customer. To simplify returns for your customers, you can use packaging solutions such as our popular Easybox with double cover strips or white e-commerce ‘return’ bags with handles.

2. Eco-friendly is here to stay

Pack Sweden reports that sustainability remains an important consideration for consumers, despite the ongoing pandemic. At RAJA, we’re not surprised – there’s a far-reaching trend of both companies and consumers caring more and more about the environment, a trend that’s here to stay. The environment is something we work on regularly, both by developing our product range to include more eco-friendly options and by talking to new and existing customers about how they can reduce their company’s carbon footprint through packaging.

One thing you can think about when deciding which packaging solution to use is reducing the void in your packaging. Sending cartons that are largely made up of air is not only worse for the environment, it also means unnecessary costs in transport, storage and increased consumption of packaging materials. A convenient solution that is popular with our customers is to use variable height boxes to adjust the size of the box to the contents.

3. Facebook shop and Amazon reinforce the importance of personalisation

Amazon made its entry into Sweden last autumn, and giants Google and Facebook are working repeatedly to make it easier for consumers to buy products through their platforms (see Google Shopping, Facebook shop and Instagram shop). As a consequence, your customers don’t necessarily have to navigate through your website to order products from you. This increases the importance of you working to reinforce your brand through your packaging.

Many businesses have already understood the importance of personalising their packaging with their company logo and visual identity. An inexpensive solution that can be a first step for many small – and medium-sized businesses is to customise the packaging tape with the company logo. It is of course possible to personalise other packaging products such as cartons and fillers, reach out to us and we will help you all the way.

Need help with packaging 2021?

RAJA are specialists in packaging and wrapping. On our website, you’ll find everything you need in packaging, from boxes and cartons to fillers and protectors, and more. Feel free to contact us to speak to our packaging specialists who, based on your products and needs, will offer free advice on the best packaging solutions for you for 2021.

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