Quarter four is upon us nearly and with it the busiest retail season of the year.

Last year seasonal retail sales were estimated to be around £85 billion – that’s a lot of products and a lot of packaging.

This can result in challenging times for businesses who struggle to predict and store enough product. Whilst in an ideal world good would be manufactured way in advance and put in storage this is not always possible depending upon the shelf life of products, the storage conditions required, and the cost of additional warehousing.

One of the ways we support exiting and new customers with seasonal spikes is understanding how best we can assist them with their packaging requirements.

Forward planning

As packaging partner to many businesses across the north west, we developing strategies based on our experience and customer expectations,

Open communication helps us to determine what the peak season may look like, and whilst we’re referring to the festive season in this blog, we do the same for our customers who experience peaks in demand at other times of the year.

For those customers who see the same situation occur each year, we can manufacture packaging to an agreed production, delivery or call off schedule to ensure production and packing lines operate in a timely manner and warehouse and transport efficiencies are optimised.

Reactive packaging

Whilst forward planning is the ideal scenario for coping with peaks in demand, we also recognise this is sometimes not possible.

If you’re experiencing circumstances that you couldn’t have planned for, whether it’s current supplier challenges or simply sales have sky-rocketed, then our team can draw on their product knowledge and experience to find a suitable solution wherever possible.

Protecting your brand

Seasonal packaging can take on several formats. It could simply be more of what customers order all year round, or it could be a new box, pack or retail ready solution created specifically for the seasonal promotion.

Our team works with customers to ensure any new seasonal packaging is designed with the businesses brand in mind. This ensures brand visibility remains consistent against all types of packaging and at all times of the year. This can help drive seasonal sales as customers recognise the brand and are more drawn to sticking with a brand they are familiar with, even at differing times of the year.

Professional service and expert knowledge            

Whatever the requirements for seasonal packaging, and whatever the time of year it occurs, customers are reassured of a professional service and having access to our expert knowledge.

Our skilled team guide customers through a robust and thorough process to ensure all requirements are achieved, right from point of enquiry, through to design, sampling, production and delivery.

When it’s done well, season packaging can play its part in increasing sales and reinforcing brand awareness. It can position you ahead of competitors and ultimately play its part in ongoing sales.

Ian Walters, Production Director at Red Rose Packaging commented; “Seasonal packaging can cause some customers a little concern, however we are used to dealing with more complex supply issues such as this and understand the part it can play in our customers having strong sales during their peak periods.

“It presents a great opportunity for upselling, reinforcing the brand visibility in retail settings and attracting new customers.”

To discuss all your packaging requirements, seasonal or not, contact the team on sales@redrosepackaging.com or give them a call on 0161 483 4433.