“Why doesn’t every clothing retailer use these shippers?!?!” wrote @jamessterlingstjohn in a 2019 Instagram post.James buys online from sustainable outdoor apparel brand and longtime LimeLoop brand partner Toad&Co, organic t-shirts that come in reusable packaging or shippers, as he refers.He then took this photo before “unboxing” the order and returning the reusable package to his mailbox, waiting for the local carrier to pick it up.
The more branding through digital consumer engagement, the less sense cardboard and plastic pouches with decorative tissue paper.E-commerce is getting smarter.Omnichannel ecommerce — creating a seamless, unified customer experience across platforms — involves packaging more than ever.
For us, reusable packaging is designed for the connected e-commerce economy because it is smart.It’s ours anyway.That’s why we’re going to debunk the most common misconceptions about the role of reusable packaging in improving the omnichannel experience in fashion.
Incorrect.The truth is that only 9% of single-use packaging is actually recycled.The retailer then pays to manufacture, store and ship the packaging (rather than the product), which goes to landfill.The sheer volume of packaging that ends up being single-use overwhelms our current waste management system.Shipping in recyclable boxes is simply not sustainable.
Reusable packaging is a more sustainable option.Each of our reusable packaging can be reused up to 200 times compared to 5 to 7 times for a returnable box (if not landfilled).That means reducing 200 cardboard boxes while employing reduction and reusability to drive more connected experiences.
60% to 80% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging.Increased consumer demand for more sustainable business practices, especially in fashion, has prompted the need to act quickly.But in reality, seemingly sustainable packaging fails to satisfy customers.Omnichannel – smart e-commerce – experiences also cannot thrive with linear business models.
Wrong again – at least we think so at LimeLoop.Consumers have spent at least 60 million hours watching unboxing videos on social media, making it a direct tool for retailers to acquire and retain customers.When buying from a retailer, whether it’s the first or the 100th time, visual and written reviews need to be considered, and the customer experience evolves into customization.
The retailer then invests in product packaging – the first impression.But with soaring raw material costs, most retailers will struggle to obtain these packaging materials when cardboard prices soar during the pandemic in 2021, threatening the customer experience rather than improving it.Reusable packaging is an investment, so its upfront cost can be higher.But the cost is amortized overtime – it’s just that the packaging will eventually pay for itself, and then some.
In fact, retailers don’t need expensive cardboard customization for brand engagement.Sustainable shipping, like using LimeLoop reusable packaging, is customer acquisition, retention and engagement.With reusable packaging, customers can be happy with their entire shopping experience, from order to delivery.
From Baby Boomers to Gen Z, 85% of consumers worldwide have turned to more sustainable shopping behaviors.So yes, we also chose false for this one.As growth continues across industries and policies, the general customer experience, whether omnichannel or otherwise, must adapt to this demand.Otherwise, if retailers don’t start adopting “low-hanging fruit” solutions, they are likely to be left behind.
As a “low-hanging fruit”, sustainable shipping will make everyone want reusable packaging, at least in our experience.It’s very easy to use, certainly easier than breaking down the cardboard and trying to dispose of it every week.Remember James?He had just removed his t-shirt from the package, flipped the prepaid shipping label, and put the package back in his mailbox, had the local carrier pick it up, and returned the package to the fulfillment center.
LimeLoop combines reusable packaging and software to create opportunities for customer service and reverse logistics, further simplifying the omnichannel customer experience.Returns may be sent back in the original package they arrived in, and granular tracking data can give you insight into each package’s journey.Returned clothes don’t have to go to landfill, and customers don’t have to call and ask, “Where’s my package?”
At LimeLoop, we believe in harnessing data for good, driving consumer behavior through technology, and the omnichannel customer experience would not be seamless without good data.While ESG assets are expected to reach $53 million by 2025, getting data right doesn’t require big technology investments.There is no blockchain or NFT here.In our case it’s just the BLE sensor and an app.
The data collected from each LimeLoop reusable package is decentralized for accessibility and scalability.When applied to critical points in a logistics system, connecting supply chains doesn’t have to cost too much people and the planet.Order shipping and fulfillment are untapped sources of information when it comes to improving the customer experience.
Smart reusable packaging, like LimeLoop, connects in-store and e-commerce experiences through cumulative data – location tracking of the forward and reverse logistics of customer orders, meaning these in-store experiences become home as retailers dig deeper Experience the data and technology behind smart packaging.
LimeLoop’s smart shipping platform combines reusable packaging and simple sensors to create a real-time lens for the e-commerce experience from order to return.This provides retailers with a powerful platform to effectively understand and communicate with customers, while providing the necessary insights to inform ESG and supply chain decisions.
Post time: Mar-24-2022
