Packaging and the supermarket supply chain

Corrugated packaging is a key component in the supermarket supply chain, and we work with customers across a wide range of products sectors to create packaging solutions that are ‘Supermarket Ready’.

You may know the types of packs we mean. The trays of coffee jars or candles placed on shelves. The boxes of party plates and napkins for celebrations. The boxes that contain household essentials such as food bags and floor mops. All of which are in packaging solutions created by the corrugated industry to ensure:

*Safe transit of product through the supply chain so that the products arrive intact
*Easy opening by supermarket staff to ensure time efficiencies are met and very little extra work is required by the supermarket
*Easy access by supermarket customers; customers are busy people and want to be able to identify and access product quickly
*Brand recognition by customers where required
*The packaging can be easily and responsibly disposed of once empty allowing retailers to meet company CSR statements and packaging directives.

Unlocking terminology

Those familiar with the packaging industry will have heard of terms all of which pertain to Supermarket Ready Packaging. RRP – Retail Ready Packaging, SRP – Shelf Ready Packaging, POP – Point of purchase, POS – Point of Sale and FSDU – Free Standing Display Unit all meet differing requirements, but all help the retail sector to communicate to its customer base and either encourage purchase, or make the purchase of essential items easier.

A standard SRP pack would consist of an 0201 with flaps to the top and bottom with a perforated area that can be simply torn off in store. The pack can then be placed on a shelf and would be like those packs that you perhaps select microwave rice from. In contrast, a non-standard supermarket ready pack could be an aisle end display for seasonal products with full screen or digital printing to communicate the brand, the product and create a desire and an urgency to buy. In these circumstances, it’s about creating packaging solutions that speak to a consumers emotional buying decision appealing to their ‘want’ rather than ‘need’ mentality.

Supermarkets and sustainability

With more supermarkets taking active stances to reduce the amount of non-recyclable packaging in their stores and warehouses we can only expect this demand to continue. The Plastics Pact that was launched in 2018 outlined a series of targets to be met by 2025 and the Government plans to achieve ‘zero avoidable waste’ by 2050.

Our innovation at providing packaging that supports the supermarket supply chain is far-reaching. Our solutions have removed considerable amounts of non-recyclable material from supply chains and the very fact that corrugated is fully recyclable is part of its ongoing appeal.

It is a hugely adaptable material delivering flexibility in its design, unbelievable robustness where required and impressive sustainability credentials.

This is what makes it a key part of a supermarkets armoury when it comes to product display and choosing responsible packaging solutions.

And, what makes it a manufacturers greatest asset in supplying its product safely, easily and responsibly to retailers across the globe.

The ability of corrugated to integrate into markets and retail platforms should not be underestimated. Could your business be the next to benefit?