Avoid Being Caught Off Guard by the Next Rush

If you are having a great sales week, that is generally considered positive unless there is no tape and no boxes (or other key packaging supplies) when you go to start shipping the orders. One piece of tape and/or one empty box bin can shut down all shipments. The best time to get ready for the next big rush order is before it comes.

Use your prior years’ sales data to find out how many orders were shipped from the same time frame. Find out which items sold the most. If you cannot access past sales data, try using the last couple of busy weeks as a reference point. That will provide a general idea of how much packaging material you will likely need.

Identify your top-selling products. Ensure you have sufficient inventory of boxes, mailers, labels, tape, and padding for those products. You don’t want to count supply needs for your slower sellers in the same manner. Your faster sellers will put the most pressure on the packing station.

Plan for more orders than you anticipate you will have. If you anticipate you will ship 500 packages, then plan for 5–10 additional packages. A promotion, popular post, or large order from a customer can quickly increase your shipment volume. Having some backup inventory provides you with the flexibility to respond to an unexpected surge.

Also consider the lead time required to receive each item. Some packaging supplies will arrive tomorrow, while others may require up to a week or more to arrive. Record this information and order the slowest-arriving items first. Simply ordering your slowest supplies first can help you avoid being caught off guard when your supplier’s delivery truck shows up late.

In addition to ordering supplies, consider how much storage space you have available. Purchasing additional boxes will be ineffective if they impede your ability to move around in your facility. Store frequently used box sizes in areas where they are easily accessible. Also, store excess quantities in a clean, dry location so they won’t be damaged or lost.

Before your order volume increases, prepare your workspace. Stock your tape dispensers, test your printers, and position labels in locations where employees can easily access them. Position boxes adjacent to their corresponding products. When everything has its designated place, employees will spend less time walking, looking for supplies, and asking questions.

During peak-volume periods, create a simple daily count. Identify 5–10 of the most critical supplies and record how much was used and how much remains. This daily count should be brief; simply identify what was consumed, what still exists, and when new supplies will need to be ordered.

Once the peak-volume period concludes, review your preparation against what actually occurred. Identify which supplies became depleted and which supplies remained unused. Document these findings for future peak periods. As you continue to repeat this cycle, your counts will become increasingly accurate.

An emergency does not have to occur due to poor planning. With an advance assessment, strategic storage, and just a bit of reserve stock, your staff can maintain momentum throughout the order processing cycle. Proper planning converts packaging supplies from a last-minute concern into a reliable part of your job.

Boxes Save More Money

Shipping boxes are just as important to your shipping process as the product you’re sending. Products get shipped, but they don’t ship alone – they depend on a protective layer to shield them from potential harm en route. Therefore, selecting an appropriate shipping box is critical. Not only does a quality shipping box protect products from damage, but it can also save your business money down the road.

A very common question many people have is “How do I know if a shipping box is the correct size?” Simply stated, a shipping box should allow adequate protection of the product while minimizing excess empty space. Too little space could lead to improper placement of the product and/or excessive side pressure. On the other hand, too much empty space within the box allows the product to move freely throughout shipping, increasing the likelihood of damage prior to arrival.

Another question frequently asked is whether every shipment requires the same type of shipping box. The response is simply no. Shipping needs vary depending upon each individual product being sent. For example, candles, books, and tools require completely different types of shipping boxes. Most lightweight products will suffice in a standard box, while heavier items are generally best suited for stronger corrugated boxes designed specifically for greater weight capacity. When you match the shipping box to the product, you greatly enhance the likelihood that your shipment will arrive intact.

Businesses are also interested in knowing whether having fewer box sizes would result in simpler packing procedures. There are times when this is true. When you limit yourself to a few common sizes used most often, you will simplify inventory management and increase the efficiency of your packing process. Less time will be spent by employees attempting to locate the proper box. Additionally, supply organization becomes easier as well. However, there are situations when it is necessary to maintain sufficient variety of box sizes to ensure products are packed with minimal wasted space.

Business owners are also curious regarding whether the condition of shipping boxes prior to utilization matters. Yes, it does. Any shipping box displaying evidence of previous usage such as dented corners, crushed sides, and/or water damage is compromised in terms of its ability to provide structural support to the contents it contains. Even if it retains its overall shape, it may not offer the level of protection needed to safeguard the product being shipped. A quick inspection of all boxes before they are utilized will assist in preventing unnecessary issues later.

Smart companies also pay close attention to customer feedback. Repeatedly hearing complaints from customers regarding damaged shipping containers or broken products can indicate a packaging issue. It may be possible to address these issues by utilizing a sturdier shipping container, changing the size of the container, or adding additional padding and cushioning material inside the container. Companies that listen to customer feedback enable themselves to continually refine their own internal processes related to packaging.

Finally, numerous people feel that strong shipping boxes always cost too much. Although they may be slightly more expensive than weaker shipping boxes, they can ultimately save you money through the reduction of replacement and return shipments. Shipping a product two separate times due to initial damages sustained in transit typically costs much more than purchasing the correct shipping container in the first place. Frequently comparing total expenses rather than only purchase prices enables you to make wiser financial decisions.

Proper storage is crucial in maintaining ready-to-use shipping boxes. All shipping boxes must be stored in a clean, dry environment where they will not develop bends or absorb moisture. Organizing like-size boxes together also facilitates quicker access and retrieval for employees by eliminating extensive search times among large amounts of disorganized boxes.

Shipping containers do far more than merely contain products. They serve as barriers against physical abuse, drops, shocks, and transportation mishaps during delivery. Stronger containers can minimize waste, shorten packing time, decrease expenses associated with replacing damaged goods, and promote consumer confidence when receiving their orders. Taking time to select the right shipping container is one of the easiest methods for improving your company’s shipping procedure and creating positive experiences for every customer.