Looking at the last decade, one of the most significant developments that has continued to grow is the e-commerce setup. The consumer expectations along with this e-commerce has also seen a huge rise specially pertaining to the packaging. Many brands and businesses are looking into customized wholesale packaging solutions because let’s accept the fact that packaging is the silent salesman of your company. It is no longer just about wrapping the things and getting them from point A to point B. But shoppers in today’s time are demanding more thoughtful, secure and most importantly, more sustainable packaging solutions. So, if you are in a business, you need to keep up with these trends so that you remain competitive and be a delight to your customers.
Looking into 2025, we can discuss in this blog what are some of the trends that Australian consumers are expecting in their product packaging in the days forward.
Consumers prioritise eco-friendly packaging
Gone are the days when we could say that sustainability is just a buzzword. It is not a niche concern, but it’s a priority for a growing number of consumers. The shoppers now expect brands to embrace the sustainable and eco friendly packaging. Did you know that about 57% of consumers state that they’re less likely to buy products in packaging that might cause harm to the environment? This is a very interesting shift and has led to an increase in demand for packaging that are made from recycled materials. The experts of wholesale packaging solutions in Australia are also looking for new options which can make them stay afloat in the times of fierce competition. While compostable packaging has made headlines, many consumers are also prioritising materials that can be easily recycled. Packaging, which integrates with kerbside recycling programs, is seen as a much more accessible solution for reducing the environmental waste. Recyclable materials provide the customers with a clear path to contribute to their sustainability ideas and efforts without the challenges of getting into the how-s of industrial composting.
The demand for safe and secure packaging continues
The first and foremost expectation of any shopper is to receive their purchase in the perfect condition. In transit, packages face a variety of risks, whether it is mishandling or whether damage, there could be some spoilage in the product. So, businesses need to ensure that their packaging is ready to face this kind of challenges. Strong protective packaging is key to prevent this kind of damage, especially in a research that shows that about 30% of items are returned due to damage during shipping.
In such a situation, recycled plastic mailers can offer an excellent protection for items which are vulnerable to water or moisture, while eco friendly bubble wrap can help to prevent the movement inside the package which reduces the likelihood of breakage. Also, protecting items from mechanical and weather damage, ecommerce packaging solutions must also give them a guard against any form of theft. With nearly one in 10 people experiencing package theft globally, choosing the right packaging solutions with tamper evident features such as strong adhesive trips can also provide a peace of mind to the consumers.
Certification of sustainability
When it comes to sustainability awareness, it demands a sense of transparency. Consumers, especially the Gen. Z, are increasingly cautious about greenwashing and might even want to prove that the packaging they’re receiving is actually eco friendly in nature. About 70% of consumers consider transparency as a key brand attribute and many actively look for certifications such as Forest Stewardship Council. If you have these labels clearly mentioned on the packaging and these credentials are shown to the consumers proudly, it can certainly help to build a sense of trust and royalty with your eco conscious shoppers. The key is no matter what it is sustainability should not just be a marketing gimmick, but should actually be practiced.
Functional packaging
The idea is to enhance the customer experience and to get to this bottom line, convenience is a major factor. Packaging plays a very important role in making the e-commerce experience smoother. For example, when it comes to easy returns, which is often a top priority for many customers, about 80% of online shoppers seek for a hassle free option. So if you include resealable features in mailers, such as an extra adhesive strip, the return process can be simplified and it can encourage in repeat business. Moreover, consumers are turning away from excessive packaging. There’s a huge amount of packaging waste that is generated per person and this is certainly not a good news for our environment. So, brands that can meet this challenge by opting for compact, efficient packaging can minimize the waste while still protecting the items and offering good packaging.
