Entries by Catherine

What is SCA & How is it Affecting E-commerce?

In 2020, £376million was lost to online fraud. To tackle this, action is being taken to authenticate online transactions. How does this impact e-commerce business and online shoppers? What is SCA? Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) became a mandatory requirement for all online purchases on Monday 14 March. It requires customers to confirm their identity before […]

Setting up an E-commerce Business in London?

The UK’s capital is an expensive place to set up in business, but could targeting Londoners reap rewards? Recent insight* suggests that London was one of the world leaders in online sales through the pandemic. Digitally-savvy customers were drawn to the safe, seamless and flexible purchasing options provided by online retailers. This appetite for e-commerce […]

Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea Gift Boxes

Sharing afternoon tea is a delightful treat for most mums and daughters, but what if you live miles apart? The solution could be to have a box of quality tea, scones and cake delivered to the door. Indulgent and delicious, this could be the ideal Mother’s Day gift. So, where can you order Afternoon Tea […]

Who are the E-commerce Big Spenders?

The convenience and choice offered by online shopping mean many of us opt for digital transactions over in-store purchases. As a retailer exploring multi-channel sales or a new enterprise entering the e-commerce market, it is useful to know who the big online spenders are. What Percentage of Retail Sales are Made Online? Retail Times predicts […]

How Bespoke Boxes Support E-commerce Trends 2022

Having surveyed 500 global e-commerce companies, Verifone has released forecasts on the e-commerce trends for 2022. Gaining the Competitive Edge in E-commerce Following a period of rapid change and digital transition, e-commerce businesses are now focused on gaining a competitive edge. The insight reveals that they plan to achieve this through: – Launching new products […]

5 Tips for E-commerce Start-Ups

Inspired to set up an online shop? Keen to see if you can earn a living with your own enterprise? Even with the perfect product range, there is so much for an e-commerce start-up to consider. These 5 Tips offer food for thought. 1. Be open to Adapting your Product Range and Target Customer In […]

Cardboard for In-Store Signage & Displays

We usually think of cardboard boxes being used for packaging and sending e-commerce purchases, but can they be used for retail displays and in-store promotions? Using Cardboard to Enhance the Shopping Experience With shoppers shifting towards e-commerce, physical stores have to up their game. Regularly refreshing window and in-store displays are ways to grab the […]

Simple Ways to Personalise Mailing Boxes

As a small e-commerce business, there may be little scope in the budget for elaborate packaging design. Is it possible to add character and interest to your mailing boxes in cost-effective ways? Simple Packaging Design With e-commerce packaging, you don’t need top-quality photographic print and elaborate detailing. A little twist can turn a regular piece […]

Frustration-free E-commerce Packaging

Last year, Amazon sellers were encouraged to sign up to a Frustration Free Packaging Programme. The scheme has now closed to new sellers, but as the leading name in e-commerce shopping, what can online retailers learn from the initiative? E-commerce Packaging for Customer Satisfaction Firstly, Amazon’s programme was driven by the desire to improve customer […]

Have you Entered the Paper Industry Gold Awards?

From toilet rolls to cardboard boxes, many of life’s essentials come from the paper industry. The process from harvesting trees from responsibly managed forests to recycling paper fibres is constantly evolving. Fresh thinking, innovations and consumer demand have made the industry adapt and become increasingly sustainable. Paper Industry Gold Awards The Paper Industry Gold Award […]

Could Bespoke Boxes Improve Packing Processes?

A recent article in Manufacturing & Logistics Magazine, suggests that streamlining packing processes could be a way to improve efficiency, cut costs and reduce environmental impact. In 3 Ways to Simplify your Packing Process the author suggests: Investing in professionally printed labels. This is a time-saving option, which ensures that essential product information is readable […]

Completing a Plastic Packaging Tax Return

Companies that manufacture plastic packaging components in the UK or import them into the UK have to complete a quarterly tax return. If this applies to your business, do you know what to include? The plastic packaging tax is calculated on the weight and the return must include: – The weight of all plastic packaging […]

Can I Recycle this Packaging?

Recycling rates are increasing across the UK. Consumers are selecting brands and products with recyclable packaging, but not everything is suitable for roadside collections. How do you know if the packaging is recycled locally? Recycling Router To help consumers, WRAP and Valpak have launched the Recycling Router. This tool offers postcode specific information on local […]

Are you Using the Latest Version of your E-commerce Platform?

Is Magento your chosen e-commerce platform? If so, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned of a vulnerability. This established e-commerce platform is popular with online retailers, but, as with all technology, updates of the latest versions have to be installed. The NCSC has identified 4,151 UK businesses using outdated versions of Magento. These […]

Packaging Design Priorities for 2022

Data gathered by L.E.K. Consulting shows a steady increase in spending on B2C packaging design over the past two years. This trend is forecast to continue through 2022, but where is the budget being directed? Printed Packaging The research revealed that the main driver was graphics and branding. Companies want to stand out from the […]