Just because your budget doesn’t stretch to bespoke packaging doesn’t mean you can’t create great-looking, unique packaging. Here are our top five recommendations to create packaging that WOWs without breaking the bank.

• More than a fifth of logistics firms say dominance of online shopping will increase operational costs over the next two years
• More than half admitted changing packaging in the last 12 months has benefitted their business

 As ecommerce continues to dominate the retail arena, new research has revealed that UK logistics firms are facing an unprecedented rise in operational costs over the next two years, which is set to have a knock on effect on their packaging needs.

Amid predictions that 2019 is set to be a challenging time for many UK businesses, leading packaging solutions supplier Antalis has revealed that improving the impact that packaging and packing are having on warehouse operations and transport logistics, whilst adopting eco-friendly solutions will be the key trends in the year ahead.

With a record number of unwanted Christmas gifts expected to be returned in the first week of January, Antalis Packaging is advising retailers to overhaul their returns processes as the simplest way to cut the crippling costs presented by rising numbers of New Year’s returners.

As a champion of innovative packaging design, Antalis is sponsoring the UK Packaging Awards 2018 for the first time ever.

Amid ongoing pressure to diversify their product offering, Antalis is urging dealers not to overlook the benefits to be had by cross-selling packaging to their existing customer base.

With the end of the summer months set to kick off the Christmas retail period, Antalis is encouraging office dealers to make the most of the seasonal peak to unlock new opportunities in packaging.

With experts once again predicting that Black Friday will outperform Christmas this year as the biggest shopping event in the retail calendar, Antalis Packaging is advising customers to plan ahead to ensure their packaging and logistics are able to withstand the earlier seasonal rush.

With more and more consumers gravitating towards eco-friendly choices, Antalis is reminding dealers to advocate the benefits of sustainable paper and packaging options, and the advantages it can bring to businesses.

If you have ever had any doubts about the influence packaging can have on customer experience, then a study by Packaging Innovations revealed some results that you might find quite astonishing.