COVID-19 has forever changed the way many companies will do business. Less people are piling into stores, and they are doing even more of their shopping online. For retail businesses, there is a crucial decision to be made: adapt or shut down. At Hughes Enterprises, we help you to adapt. For most business owners, there is no option to close. It’s time to turn your focus to e-commerce, and break out of brick-and-mortar.
For new e-commerce operators, there are considerations to be made that weren’t on the radar before. One of the most important components for your e-commerce site to be successful is the packaging and shipping. You need to be informed about proper packaging and all of the new costs involved in shipping. These departments are absent from a typical brick-and-mortar operation. Our job at Hughes Enterprises is to provide innovative packaging solutions as you navigate the new world of shipping your products to customers around the world. Let’s look at some tips to help you get started on this journey.
The Amazon Effect
Today, consumers are used to two-day shipping, thanks to the popularity of Amazon. The e-commerce juggernaut has created near-impossible standards for the rest of businesses to keep up with. How is Amazon able to do it? They actually lose money on their shipping and make it up with their cloud computing services. Amazon was able to leverage themselves enough to gain a hold of the market and make nearly unattainable shipping options the new standard.
Not only do people want their products quickly, they also want free shipping. There are ways for your small business to compete, you just need to know the right strategies to lower your costs to be able to offer the free shipping your customers expect.
Ship From Store Fulfillment
Also referred to as SFS, Ship From Store fulfillment allows you to take the inventory that’s already in your store to fulfill online orders. Turn your brick-and-mortar store into your company’s distribution hub. Since you already have the benefit of having a retail store, it only makes sense to use it for your e-commerce distribution.
This can dramatically cut down on shipping costs because you already have the product and don’t need to have the items shipped to a separate fulfillment center. SFS allows you to get your product into your customer’s hands faster and cheaper.
Shorten the Distance
In order to get your packaging and shipping costs down, you need to break down the miles between your product and its final destination. The further away the customer, the more expensive the shipping will be.
But where are your products manufactured? If your products are made on the East Coast, but are distributed on the West Coast, you’ve already cost your business unnecessary shipping fees. Consider the point of manufacture and select a regional distribution hub that is as close as possible. Reducing miles equals reduced costs.
Proper Packaging Is Essential
One of the key factors in getting your shipping costs down is to make sure your products are properly packed. This goes beyond some extra bubble wrap for fragile items. You need packing solutions that provide a custom fit for your goods. Every inch of empty space in your boxes can add up to extra shipping costs. At Hughes Enterprises, we offer custom and flexible packaging options to give your products a perfect fit.
However, proper packaging is about more than just a good fit. In order to keep your costs down, you need to make sure the package you end up with does not fall outside of standard box shipping sizes. This will not only NOT save you money, but you will end up spending more by incurring added fees for non-standard sizing.
We are experts in the packaging field and know how to get the fit you need in a size that is standard for most mail carriers. Since 1950, Hughes Enterprises has been offering packaging equipment. With both experience and expertise, a Hughes Enterprise team member will consult with you to discover the best packaging solution for your products.
We offer automated packaging systems, contemporary design and all of the additional materials you need to properly package your products. We will streamline multi-channel fulfillment, help minimize damage and returns, and reduce overhead and shipping costs.
At Hughes Enterprises, you get quality packaging from a trusted brand with over 70 years of experience. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.