The 2015 U.S. furniture market was approximately $76 billion, of which $14 billion was purchased online. Online furniture sales have grown $8.8 billion since 2009. This growth trend is expected to continue and represents both opportunities and challenges for sellers.
One major challenge online furniture sellers face is mastering the entire packaging and shipping process. Sellers need to work out the best way to package their bulky and heavy merchandise at the distribution warehouse and to transport the furniture to the customer. To ensure the furniture arrives intact, furniture suppliers and manufacturers must select the best packaging and shipping solutions. The following are three important areas of focus for the e-commerce furniture sellers.
Furniture suppliers know how important it is that their furnishings maintain its quality throughout the entire shipping process. Consumers purchasing furniture online expect their merchandise to arrive at their door undamaged. Furniture that needs to be assembled by the customer requires special handling from the manufacturer. Some best practices include removing the feet or other fragile pieces from the furniture for wrapping in protective shipping materials. This extra precaution will help shield the furniture from damage and will result in a satisfied customer who is likely be a repeat purchaser and leave positive reviews on your website.
2. Cost-Effective Shipping Materials
Controlling costs throughout packaging and shipping process is another key element for purveyors of online furniture. The larger the piece of furniture, the more it costs to wrap and package it safely. Sellers need high quality, durable, inner and outer packaging to package furniture securely. Pay close attention to the relationship between the quality of packaging materials and the cost of materials, for, as is often the case, you get what you pay for. Investing in better materials will help to make sure that your furniture is well protected and arrives safely. Spending a bit more on packaging materials may save you from time-consuming damage returns and costly reshipments.
3. Choosing The Right Packaging Materials
One of the best ways to control costs at your company and demonstrate your dedication to product protection is to utilize the right packaging materials.
Corrugated Cartons: These cartons are made up of three layers of paper that includes an inside liner, an outside liner, and fluting with a ruffled shape, which runs in between the two. Corrugated cartons are more effective than cardboard because, when formed into boxes, corrugated sheets are very strong, durable and are easily recycled.
Water-activated tape: also known as gummed tape is made primarily of white or natural color (Kraft) paper and a starch-based adhesive. The tape is available in various widths and thicknesses and when reinforced, contains multiple layers of fiberglass. Furniture suppliers often use heavy grade, 4-inch-wide reinforced water-activated tape, for added strength and carton security. Better Packages’ is one of the only manufacturers that offer electric water-activated tape dispensers that accommodate 4-inch-wide tape. Once the tape’s adhesive is activated with water, it penetrates the corrugated carton and forms a permanent bond. This bond is critical for product safety because the strong seal eliminates carton intrusion without detection and possible tape peel.
Air Pillows: are not only more cost-effective than packing peanuts, but also provide a more effective cushion for your large and often delicately detailed furniture. This added protection will help ensure the furniture makes it to the customer safely.
One way to alleviate concerns about furniture shipping is to use water-activated tape and Better Packages’ gummed packing tape dispensers. Better Packages’ tape dispensers and water-activated tape are the ultimate carton sealing solution, providing your cartons with the strength they need.
Do you need a more cost-effective shipping solution? Click below to see how the right shipping materials can benefit your online furniture business.