Retail Trends Impacting the Gift Market in 2021:
07 June 2021
Back in 2006 online shopping only accounted for 3% of retail sales – whereas in 2020 ecommerce sales accounted for 28% of all retail spend, according to new research from Natwest and Retail Economics.
Online retail sales saw the equivalent of five years of growth in just 12 months last year, as many consumers changed their shopping habits permanently. This has been reflected strongly in our sales of online gift packaging – we have been incredibly busy!It’s clear that the pandemic has made some of the major retail trends accelerate and become even more significant – along with the ongoing increased demand for packaging used for online orders there is a very noticeable increasing focus on consumer benefits, whether it’s to offer customers a feelgood moment or more of a focus on the reduced environmental impact of packaging.
As UK based manufacturers of luxury packaging for the gift market since 2000, over the years Shredhouse has adapted successfully to these major changes within the retail sector. The large multi-national brands and small British artisans we work with across a range of market sectors have also had to adapt to a gradual power shift away from the retailer which offers the consumer more choice and much better value.
Recent research shows that 40% of consumers will share photos of a purchase online if it’s attractively packaged. Shredhouse’s continued growth reflects the highly competitive nature of the gift market where every tiny detail of a company’s offering counts. The right branding and packaging decisions enable companies to differentiate their offering from their competitors – especially in the ecommerce environment where the unboxing experience is key.
Recognising the significance of this trend, we keep our product range varied and colourful so that our customers can reflect their own personal taste, corporate and brand requirements.
Recent social media trend data confirms what we all recognise – the pandemic has caused the consumer to change their normal shopping habits, increased time at home means consumers have been browsing online for longer and are more frequently relying on online purchases. Limited availability of some products has also caused consumers to be more open to unfamiliar brands, allowing new and smaller brands to thrive if they have a well-considered offering.
In a fiercely competitive market where consumers typically research online before they buy, there is an ever-increasing focus on the eco-credentials of products and their packaging. Shredhouse continues to thrive as we offer reusable, recyclable and biodegradable packaging options and have ISO, FSC© and PEFC supplier certifications, so that our customers can show their environmental responsibility. In addition, we have also introduced a new eco-friendly product, NatureFlex. Derived from wood pulp, NatureFlex is compostable and provides an extremely eco-friendly alternative to our previous non-recyclable cellophane and iridescent products which we have chosen to discontinue.
Retail experts agree that the retail environment is changing so rapidly it is impossible to look too far ahead into the future – what is clear is that in such a competitive environment the consumer experience remains key, and every detail counts.
Other Press Releases By This Company
- 13/07/2021 - Theme Ideas for Gift Hampers – July 2021:
- 17/03/2021 - How to choose packaging colours that accentuate your brand
- 02/03/2021 - An interview with Jon Watton, Business Development Manager at Shredhouse Limited:
- 20/01/2021 - Shredhouse Gift Packaging
- 12/11/2020 - high-quality and eco-friendly packaging
- 11/11/2020 - Shredhouse Gift packaging have been awarded the ‘best specialist decorative packaging manufacturer 2020!’
