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E-Commerce, Today’s Reality

E-Commerce for 2021 and beyond – the impact on companies in the Consumer Packaged Goods space and how to respond to changing consumer buying patterns through your packaging

COVID-19 and the resulting changes in consumer buying habits continue to redefine so much of what was “normal” just a short year ago.
Social distancing and the need for continued convenience have led to a marked increase in online ordering and grocery delivery. By 2023, online grocery spending will reach $129 billion, nearly 10% of total grocery sales.

And, did you know that for the 2020 holiday season, more than 75% of customers shopped online? With the continuing rise of e-commerce, consumers no longer feel the same drive to visit brick-and-mortar stores when what they are looking for can be delivered right to their doors.

In just one month, a survey of U.S. adults revealed a vast shift from physical to digital shopping. Check out these significant results:
On March 10, 2020, 13% of consumers reported online shopping purchasing events. On April 10, 2020, that number increased to 41% of consumers moving towards online shopping and purchasing portals one month later.

Groceries are far from the only products that U.S. internet users have delivered directly to their doors during the pandemic. Here’s the percentage of adults and what they now actively purchase online:

Chance is? You are one of these shoppers.

What’s driving this dramatically increased change in buying behaviors?
You cannot overlook the role that a global pandemic has had on the retail in-store level’s massive changes.

This trend does not only impact giant retailers. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are also adapting, with nearly two-thirds expecting to lean more heavily on online sales in the future. How much will U.S. SMBs rely on e-commerce post-pandemic?

Here’s what one survey showed as the future predictors:

30.7% Rely the same amount on e-commerce
34.8% Rely somewhat more on e-commerce
31.6% rely much more on e-commerce
3% rely much less on e-commerce

That is absolutely noteworthy!

Based on the new consumer buying habits and patterns, it is highly likely that these numbers should remain consistently on the increase for the future than the pre-COVID-19 established shopping behaviors.

With this drastic increase and move to e-commerce platforms for so many businesses, let Norka help with a new look at your folding cartons for the e-commerce selling space.

Do you need all the bells and whistles for printing and finishing required for shelf space and visibility? Do you need sturdier folding cartons that will need to survive shipping in smaller corrugate cartons – and not have the solid, safe surroundings shrink-wrapped with bumpers on a pallet? What can the Norka team provide as you expand further into this E-Commerce space?

This market change has been a boon for packaging and points the spotlight of sustainability on the industry. Brands are using paper packaging as a sustainable choice to get their products delivered to customers – and with so many options available to the brand owner, let the Norka team help you with the myriad of details to provide folding carton packaging cost-effectively as well as adhering to sustainability requirements. According to Nielsen, in 2018, 81% of global consumers felt strongly that companies should help the environment. We are here to help and fully support the best packaging practices and what you need to know.

Call us today to get some new designs started for this ever-changing E-Commerce world

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