Manchester has always been a popular destination for fashionistas in search of the latest industry trends. But in recent years, the city has also witnessed a steady boom in the number of online fashion houses that call it home.
Brands like Boohoo, Missguided, PrettyLittleThing and Lavish Alice have helped to firmly establish the Greater Manchester area as a thriving hub for fashion eCommerce.
One of the reasons for Manchester’s online fashion success lies in the city’s emergence as a technology hotspot, offering eCommerce excellence outside of London. It’s a reality that is great for fashion graduates, enabling them to follow their dreams in the industry without having to necessarily live/work in the capital.
Speaking about Greater Manchester’s invigorated online fashion industry, Tim Newns, chief executive officer of Manchester’s inward investment agency MIDAS, told Manchester Evening News: “Technology is driving a new wave of retailer and as a burgeoning e-commerce hotspot, this has enabled Manchester to lead the online fashion industry and cater for hungry fashion consumers.”
Packaging As a Competitive Differentiator
But running a successful online fashion operation is not without its challenges. Sky-high customer expectations, seasonal fluctuations in demand and super-competitive retail markets dictate that online fashion retailers must do everything they can to stand out from the crowd.
One often overlooked area where eCommerce fashion businesses can reduce costs and enhance the customer experience is the packaging they use for shipping goods.
Here are three factors to consider:
1. Internal Branding
Your customers shop with you because they have come to know the level of service you provide and the quality of the products you offer. One way to enhance their experience further is to make it a little more personalised.
A simple note inside your package thanking the recipient for their business and saying that you hope they are thrilled with their purchase, is a simple step that goes a long way when it comes to building strong relationships and brand loyalty.
2. Easy To Open
Nobody enjoys fighting with a seemingly unopenable box, or having to tear packaging apart just to get at what’s inside. Consider this when you are packaging your garments. Ask yourself how easy it is going to be for the customer to open, and if they will have a seamless experience as a result.
If they won’t, you should probably choose an alternative type of packaging and/or sealing method.
3. Immaculate Presentation
The garments you sell are no doubt beautiful, stunning and eye-catching. So what kind of impression does it make if you ship them in a less than appealing box? Branded packaging portrays a sense of pride, while shredded tissue paper inside the box adds an extra degree of luxury.
At the end of the day, you want your customers to be excited when they receive a package from you. Not disappointed by your seeming lack of attention.
Whether it’s cling wrap for securing pallets, tissue paper for wrapping garments in or something as simple as packaging tape for sealing cardboard boxes, we’ve got everything your eCommerce fashion business needs at Direct Packaging Solutions.