You’re probably familiar with retail-ready packaging if you’re a manufacturer of retail products supplied to big box stores such as Kroger or Walmart, but are you using it? Because retailers prefer this secondary packaging, it’s in most manufacturers’ best interest to consider it, because it eliminates some of the headaches and costs for retailers. For example, when secondary packaging, such as the corrugated case a product is shipped in, can also be used for display, it does away with the need for stockers to unpack goods and place each product individually on the shelf.
What is the advantage for you, as a manufacturer? Your product is more attractive to retailers, because it’s ready to go on the shelves. Retailers will continue to stock your product repeatedly because of the ease and elimination of some of the steps, thereby reducing labor costs. Certainly retail-ready packaging is a substantial investment, however, it pays off when you can maintain strong relationships with the most important big box retailers.
What are the dominant characteristics of packaging that is retail-ready?
- Disassembling and disposal, following use, is effortless
- Variety, size, count, other product information and brand are clearly identified
- The need to unpack and stock individual products is eliminated
- Packaging is designed for stocking two-deep on shelves, making for easy replacement
- Simple, single movement for stocking shelves
- No slicing or cutting required, as packaging allows for easy tear-away via openings that create a smooth edge
Corrugated or coated cardboard containers are popular in retail-ready packaging, however the coding and marking of this type of packaging can be a challenge without the right coding equipment. There are several options depending on your needs, including laser systems for high resolution codes, thermal ink jet printing, large character ink jet printing, and more, depending on the size of codes and other factors.
REA JET provides industrial printing solutions for various industries including the packaging, food and beverage, and consumer packaged goods industries. Find the right packaging coders for your retail-ready packaging needs, today.