Compact Packaging Portfolios for E-Commerce Market

E-commerce is booming. At the same time, the expectations and demands of end customers are rising, which smaller online stores also want to meet. They also want to serve their customers with professional packaging that looks smart, shows cost efficiency, and is also sustainable. With its e-shop, packaging specialist Smurfit Kappa also helps small businesses to achieve a professional standard in their shipping packaging.

According to the German E-Commerce and Mail Order Association (bevh), industry sales in the private customer business grew to more than 100 billion euros for the first time in 2021. The growth, compared to the previous year, was 19 percent. Total Internet trade via online stores and marketplaces between companies, including production connection trade and wholesale, reached a volume of more than 180 billion euros.

Smurfit Kappa recognized this trend several years ago and has successively and consistently tailored its portfolio of packaging materials to target industries. The company offers every shape and size adapted to the needs of large customers with individual requirements as well as standardized ones for smaller quantities directly on demand from the online store. In doing so, Smurfit Kappa says it has continuously analyzed a wide variety of segments and translated them into customized packaging portfolios.

Nico Heitmann, Head of Business Development & Marketing, at Smurfit Kappa explains, „The rapid growth of the e-commerce market, especially since the start of the pandemic, is enormous – as is the growing demand for shipping packaging from the fastest growing industries. Yet, the wide range of packaging solutions available for each application can be ‚almost overwhelming‘, meaning customers can quickly lose track of the best options. That’s why we developed our online packaging portfolios.“

Tamper-evident packaging for the beauty industry

Some goods that can be ordered online require special protection against tampering or theft. Therefore, Smurfit Kappa has developed, for example, the tamper-evident packaging „Tamper Evident Pack,“ which is part of the new health and beauty packaging portfolio. The Tamper Evident Pack has a clever closure mechanism, does not require any adhesive tape at all and ensures that the goods arrive safely at their destination. This protection works for both first-time shipments and returned items.

Skin care brand „Paula’s Choice“ turned to Smurfit Kappa to meet its growing packaging needs. The order was to supply three different sized boxes within a very tight time frame. Smurfit Kappa was able to meet Paula’s Choice’s original specification of 14,000 large, 100,000 medium, and 30,000 small boxes within the short time alotted, according to the company.

Luxury brands from SMCP with packaging from the e-fashion portfolio

SMCP, whose brands include „Sandro“, „Maje“, and „Claudie Pierlot“, needed a completely new packaging portfolio to optimize its internal processes and online shipping. In collaboration with Smurfit Kappa, an all-round solution was found for this, with chic shipping packaging for the company’s current e-fashion portfolio.

Shipping solutions for the flower trade

The floral packaging portfolio for the mail order business includes both cut flowers and potted plants, as well as gift packaging. All packaging variants ensure that the customer receives the delicate goods in perfect condition. The size and features of the packaging can be customized to fit products. The material is made from renewable raw materials and is 100 percent recyclable.

„In the past, packaging was just packaging. Today, it is part of the brand experience. At the same time, it has to fit in terms of shape and size, be sustainable, and the price has to be right, too. This is the kind of solution we specialize in. We have penetrated the market deeply – based on both customer experience and collected data – and have developed packaging portfolios that reduce complexities and significantly cut development times,“ says Boris Maschmann, CEO of Smurfit Kappa in the DACH region.