Question. Who loves cupcakes?! Answer. Pretty much everybody on the planet, and if you don’t you’re either a robot or have never had one. I mean who couldn’t love cupcakes? They are literally a cake that you can hold in your hand. Not to mention they’re delicious and come in every flavor and variety you can possibly think of. They even have a TV show dedicated to them, and I can’t think of too many foods that can make that claim. The best part about cupcakes though is where they’re made. Bakeries. (Well, at least the best ones are.) And our cupcakes are no exception. They’ll pretty much blow your mind. But, one thing that we’ve had trouble with recently is the whole 2020 COVID pandemic. Unfortunately we had to close our doors to our walk in guests and move strictly online for an extended period of time. (Thankfully we can now serve pre order and pickup guests) And for a bakery that specializes in cupcakes, that’s been a challenge to say the least. Because we lost a lot of our upsells. Like coffee and other non baked food items.
We did however stay in business and that was mostly due in part to our ability to ship our cupcakes to our regular customers. That however was also not without its challenges. First we had to figure out our online ordering system. Before it was more catered to those who wanted to make appointments for tastings or those who had giant orders that we needed time in advance to fill. But, after we got the kinks worked out, we had a good flow of steady customers, some of whom were ordering daily.
That brought another challenge. Shipping our cupcakes and other baked goods. We never really had to think much about it before, but after a few of our orders not reaching our customers in the same way they left our shop, we had to reevaluate the shipping supplies we were using. And our thin cardboard boxes that we use for normal pickups, did not do the trick. Instead we had to invest in heavy duty boxes that we placed our more flimsy (yet cute) boxes inside of. This took care of the baked goods getting damaged in transit, but it upped our shopping costs. So, that leads to even another problem, how do we handle the shipping charges? Especially when the shipping outweighed the cost of some of the orders. So, what we decided to do was take the hit, initially. We then started a campaign to incentivize our customers to have higher cart sizes and that way we could throw in a shipping charge that made sense for covering our costs and customers didn’t feel as though they were getting cheated. (I mean who really wants to spend more on getting the cupcake to you than what you spend on that actual cupcake?) And thanks to our loyal customer base, we were able to not only stay afloat during the pandemic, but we actually grew in our profit margins. So all in all, we can say win-win.
However, there is one more slight problem. Now that we have been able to open our doors back up and our customers have come back in waves, our shipping orders have gone down dramatically. Which, actually is a plus for us, but now we have a ton of extra shipping supplies sitting in the back that we have no idea what to use. But, I suppose that’s not such a bad problem to have after all.
Ice cream is a favorite for people of all ages. From hard ice cream to frozen yogurt and gelato, and even sorbet and sherbet, and even sundaes and so much more, there are a lot of ice cream options out there that you can enjoy too.
In order to make customers happy though about the product, you need the correct equipment and supplies that are there, but what else do you need besides the obvious stuff? Well, let’s talk about it here and what you can do to properly sell ice cream, no matter what.
Bowls and Containers
While most sales are done in cones or in cups, you should also have other containers, especially if you make it for customers to take home. Have a few of these directly on hand, since it’ll save you money.
There are disposable bowls that are made of heavyweight paper that of course is soak-proof, and in most cases, you can use that, or double-sided poly containers in a variety of sizes, offering better portions for the customers at hand, and you can even offer lids for the containers if needed at all.
Spoons
Remember most ice cream is eaten with a spoon, so you definitely want to have some of those, which should be obvious of course.
But thee are certain parts to spoons to also look into.
You want to buy these in bulk, since it is cheaper, and so you don’t run out either. That way, you definitely can get the most out of this.
While it is hard to get environmentally-sound spoons, there are biodegradable ones you can get if that’s something you’re looking into. If you’re not focused on that, there are individually wrapped ones, or just single spoons that you can have in there. Buying them in larger quantities prevents you from running out.
Napkins
Napkins are something that you also need because even on a cool day, it melts pretty fast, and that of course can get messy as well.
Not to mention, if you’re selling to kids you will definitely have more messes to clean up too.
So yes, you should make sure that you have a steady supply of napkins to sell ice cream with, with a variety of different options.
You can get disposable napkins that are biodegradable too, and that definitely is something worth looking into.
If you really want to take it a step further, then you may want to consider moist towelettes that are lemon scented in order to offer better cleaning of your hands and mouths, and also do smell great too.
Trays
Finally, you may want to get some trays if you’re someone who serves customers that offer larger amounts of orders, especially family-sized orders that can sometimes be hard to carry.
The best way to get this part handled is of course, some cardboard trays. They’re easy, cheap, and a good way to ensure that customers are happy and satisfied with everything that’s going on too and is a good way to make sure that everyone’s properly served and happy.
And there you have it, everything that you need for your ice cream business. If you’re going to serve to a few people, or to a whole community, you definitely want minimal all of this, and of course the ice cream that they will love and want too. And with that said, have fun making some great ice cream, serving it to others, and also as well really building the customer base that you want to have for your business too.
If you’re someone who is looking to make your products more useful, you might want to consider flexible films. A lot of flexibility is there for protection, marketing, and then finally distributing a variety of different products that are there.
Whether you’re ensuring that the food is safely on there or improving the shelf-life, or just adding heating and protection, or making it easier for you to use, then you’ll want to look at flexible packaging.
There are a lot of benefits to this, in fact there’s so many that you won’t want to miss this. They’re lightweight, easy to store and carry, and also can be resealed, making it some of the best, and offering a sustainability that knows no bounds.
Why Customers Like Flexible Packaging
Flexible packaging is something you might wonder about using. You may 7 consider it to be worth it, or not. There are a lot of people in different markets that are interested in utilizing flexible packaging.
It’s in. While you probably already know this, if you’re looking for the ideal customers for different products, then you’ll want to consider flexible packaging.
They’re great for when you want to speak not just to the needs of a customer, but if you need some ideas for better sustainability, to help with the reduction of waste, and also, to boost the efficiency of the transportation of stuff.
It actually offers new ways for a lot of businesses to reduce the costs of shipping, and also to improve the shelf space of this, and also to create a means of design that attracts your customers to this.
Packaging Made for Customers
Did you know that this is actually made for consumers. It was found that according to a poll, customers have needs when they’re shopping.
The two three things people look at for their packaging include the following:
They’re easy to store.
You can open this easily.
They’re resealable.
This also comes with two more that are important to look at, such as improving the product life, and they’re easy to carry around. This, of course, is something that flexible packaging gets right in many sorts of ways.
Some even actually will change their purchasing habits if the packaging is different.
They may choose something that’s resealable or has a longer shelf life compared to those that don’t. This is especially true with impulse purchases.
Furthermore, some people also look at seeing the product as a reason. They want to make sure what they’re getting is fresh, and with flexible packaging, this gives a branch a chance to see different types of opportunities for the brands and the packaging.
You’ll start to notice that with this, you’ll have a much longer shelf space so there’s less food waste, and better impacts on the costs of transport since you’re not spending as much on travel costs. You also will notice that the different graphics do impact the brand, and also will help showcase the product in a much more formidable manner. Overall, it’s clear as day what you need to do.
You need to choose a flexible packaging that fits your brands and your needs., When choosing the correct packaging brand, there are a few things that you should bear in mind when choosing a flexible packaging.
The color and label is something that you should look at. You also should pay attention to the product, how it’s going to be packaged, and also the way the journey of the product goes.
Factor these in when you choose the packaging and see what happens next!
There may be a lot of things going through your head when
you think about holidays. On top of everything is the tradition of giving gifts
to your loved ones. Whether you are an online shopper or prefer going to the
physical store to purchase everything from the gift to all packing supplies
requires for gift packing, you will want to prepare the perfect gift. Good
thing is that you can pack your gifts perfectly quite easily.
Delivery of a damaged gift box can put a damper on the
holiday joy. That is why it is crucial to take your time and pack the gift
safely to ensure the delivery of an undamaged package.
Here are a few tips that you may find helpful in this
regard.
Using the right-sized box
The first and foremost thing to take into consideration is
to choose the right-sized box. Although this requirement is quite obvious, not
many people seem to fulfill it the right way. To pack the gift, you will need
to have a box large enough to hold the product and some cushioning supplies. At
the same time, you will also have to make sure that it is not too large to
require an excessive amount of cushioning material.
Cushioning
Cushioning your gift inside the box is one of the most
prominent necessities of gift packing. Fortunately, you don’t have to do
something out of the blue in this regard. You can look for previously read
newspapers, foam peanuts, corrugated rolls, starch film, or similar kind of
used packaging supplies to secure your gift inside the box. Nonetheless, you
have to make sure to select the right padding according to the size and weight
of your product.
Sealing
Sealing your box completely from all of the elements is
necessary. When your package is traveling through a distance to reach its
destination, it is exposed to several factors, including dust, snow, and
moisture. Using packing tape on the outside of the box to seal it properly is
the best way to prevent all those elements from entering the box and damaging
the gift. Make sure to apply at least three to four strips of packing tape.
Wrapping the gift
Aside from securing your gift, you also have to make it look
attractive. That is why you will need to use wrapping sheets with attractive
designs to amuse your receiver. If you send a gift to a loved one, you can use
simple wrapping sheets with designs and patterns. The package doesn’t have to
look professionally prepared. On the other hand, you will need to make the
package showcase your professional approach if you send a gift to your
customers or other clients on behalf of your business or brand.
It may be worth mentioning here that packing a gift doesn’t
have to be a daunting process. You do not have to go out to purchase expensive
packaging supplies to prepare a gift pack. Sometimes, looking around in the house
allows you to gather everything required to make a gift good-looking and
well-protected.
If you are running a business and plan on shipping your products regularly, then there are some serious things for you to consider about shipping supplies. There is a huge market for packaging and shipping supplies, tools, and supply chain systems that can make your business work much more efficient and profitable. Shipping and production costs can be high, and it is likely that management will constantly be looking for ways to cut costs at every step of the production process. There are a few things that I believe every company should be using when it comes to shipping packages. No matter the size or frequency of the packages being sent, here are some necessary shipping supplies that you need to consider.
One huge issue with online ordering and shipping is found in the occurrence of lost or damaged goods. The last thing you want is for one of your customers to order a product that never arrives at their door. This will likely drive them away and leave them searching for a different company from which to buy their products from. In this market, many businesses cannot afford to make mistakes like this. A way to prevent damaged items is through the efficient use of bubble wrap or other packing material. A well-packed package will prevent items from being broken or damaged in the event that their handler is not careful with them during transportation. Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and other materials are really good at keeping items safe and snug in their box or package. I’ve seen many businesses fall behind in this area in attempts to save money and time, only to see a loss in total revenue each month when customers become dissatisfied with the quality of shipping and delivery that they received. This is a mistake that you don’t want to make.
Another necessary item for shipping your product is poly bags. These are essentially plastic bags specifically made for easy packaging and shipping of your product on a daily basis. These bags can be an absolute staple in your supply chain line. What I mean by this is that almost every company uses some sort of poly bags to package and ship their products. They can be ordered in bulk which cuts down the cost, and they are extremely easy to customize as far as size and design when you order them. They can be ordered to be much more stiff, flexible, smaller, larger, with or without adhesive, and to fit many other customizable options. These bags will keep your items safer and in airtight conditions that will eliminate some of the problems associated with the shipping and handling of your products.
Another item that is extremely useful for packing and shipping is some sort of packing tape or adhesive. Boxes and bags must be sealed before being sent on their way to your customer. Finding the most fitting type of tape or adhesive is critical to the efficiency of your business’ supply chain management. I have found that packing tape is generally very useful and not expensive to purchase in bulk. I would suggest finding a supplier of packing tape that you can trust to get deliveries to you on time, however, because you would not want this to be the reason that your customer's orders are being delayed.
When it comes to finding the best cheap moving boxes, there are a few routes that can be explored. The first avenue to be taken is to check online. Most of the time, these boxes will come in bulk, so it is a better bang for your buck. Another way to find the best boxes is to check with local businesses. Ask them what kind of boxes they use and see if you can get some from them or buy them from the same dealer they use. Finally, you can purchase boxes from a few different companies. Once they come in, take a look at them and make your pick, then you can return the others.
Checking online is a great starting point to finding affordable moving boxes. There are many different retailers online that sell just boxes. The pricing can vary depending on the company. Most of the time, the boxes purchased will be in a bulk package deal. Buying boxes in bulk will save you money down the road, as these can be anywhere from fifty cents to two dollars per box. You will need to some homework, so to speak. I would recommend starting with checking on Amazon as they can be the least expensive but no promises.
Local businesses would be an excellent alternative avenue to check with. Check with liquor stores, supermarkets, and even shipping companies. All business order products that come in boxes. Generally, these boxes will be thrown in the trash or recycling to be discarded. If you are able to get to them before they do that, then you may be in luck with some free boxes. Most of the time, free is better than buying things but that entirely up to you.
If you are having trouble finding the correct box, I recommend getting a few different ones from different companies or online stores. This can be helpful as you are able to look at your options in person. With all of your options in front of you, it should be a bit easier to determine the box or boxes that best suits your needs from a particular manufacture. After making your choice, you can return the other boxes to their respective companies. Going with this route can be a bit expensive upfront, but as mentioned, after you make your choice, you can return the others. This can be one of the better options as you can see all of your preferences and their sizes rather than using a tape measure trying to picture the box and how everything will fit.
There are a few ways to find cheap moving boxes, but these avenues will be a good starting point. With how fast the world is progressing and the invention of the internet, it has been rather effortless to find what you are looking for regardless of what it is in today’s world. Checking online first for affordable boxes will be your best bet, to begin with. If that search turns up to be a dead-end, check with the local business as they will have boxes they are discarding. If all the companies turn you down, you can go for the ‘box show,’ so to speak. With countless ways to find affordable moving boxes, I have confidence you will find what you are looking for in a matter of time.
When choosing the right packaging, you want to make sure that it’s the best for customer satisfaction. High-quality, good packaging not only makes sure that the products get shipped to customers without being damaged and broken, but it will also send messages to the customers that you matter a lot.
Not every single business knows the correct packaging though. Some of them choose packaging that’s too large, or too small, which means that the products get more vulnerable during the transit stage. Some companies also utilize too much or too small packaging internals, which does bring more issues.
Here, we’ll go over how to provide the best packaging efficiency that you can, and what materials are best for this. It also involves how one can choose the right packaging materials that will fit the budget, and also other considerations that come with shipping.
The right materials Matter
When choosing the right materials for packaging, you want to consider the weight of the item, and also the needs that you have for shipping. Inappropriate materials for packaging lead to greater costs, and damaged goods.
So you want to make sure that you choose the right items for your packaging.
You first need to weigh the item, as this is vital for the packaging materials you’re getting. Each of them have different capacities for weights. If the item is nice and heavy, you’ll want the packaging to be stronger. Consider corrugated boxes then.
For lighter stuff, a padded mailer envelope, or something with bubble wrap, may be enough.
Then, you’ve got to look at the shipping needs that you have.
For fragile items, choose packaging that offers good protection. Opt for items that are good for this such as foam inserts, cushions for air, and even packaging peanuts that will secure the items that are breakable.
On the flip side, if the item isn’t fragile, you can also go lighter with the materials, in order to reduce the costs of shipping.
You’ll also want to evaluate the size and shape of the item, because items that are irregular in size do need different packaging solutions, even customized, that will definitely impact the costs. You can also choose stuff such a s stretch wrapping and sealing tape to protect the items within.
The Best and most Durable Materials to ship
Here, we’ll give you some of the best packaging materials that are strong, and good for shipping.
The first are stock boxes. They’re dependable, easy to use, a certified classic that’s good for shipping stuff regularly, moving stuff, storage, and also making sure everything’s protected. You want to make sure that the packaging solutions fit your needs.
There’s also double walled boxes, which are heavy duty, and they hold up to 25% more than a single walled box.,
There’s also indestructo boxes, which are very strong boxes, made from corrugated items. It’s good for small and delicate items. It’s also good for prevention of crushing, and also the damage that may happen with ripping.
Opting for these does ensure that the goods are intact when they get to the destination. Being robust, and protective is a vital role for prevention of other damage during the transit process. It also is good for offering peace of mind to the buyers and sellers.
When choosing this, don’t forget about the budget either. The right budget will be the investment that you have. The budget that you have does limit the amount spent on packaging materials and design, affecting the overall aesthetics. So keep that in mind as well for you.
