Is bad protective packaging advice costing you money? You only have so much money to invest in retail packaging, and you most likely want to make every dime count.

We don’t blame you.

It’s hard to get good advice these days, especially for free. But I’m here to tell you that you’re in luck, because I’m giving away free advice that can save you thousands.

You can thank me later.

But for now, here’s our best packaging tips that you can’t afford to ignore.

Tip #1: Open Your Mind to Overseas Suppliers

We’re well aware that Chinese packaging factories have gotten a bad name over the last few years. We understand your concerns with sending your packaging efforts overseas, but we also ask that you keep your mind open to Chinese packaging factories.

The advantages of using overseas factories for your packaging are plenty. First, it helps cut down on costs for what you would pay for American-based suppliers. You get more for your money, and the quality can be even better from what you’d find here in the States.

The trick to investing in overseas packaging is doing your research. You don’t want to choose just any Chinese supplier—that’s just asking for trouble. Check your new supplier for certifications, interview previous and current customers, and take a trip to view the plant with your own eyes.

Finding the right Chinese supplier for your packaging can help you save tons of money, and give you a better taste for the standout Chinese suppliers that are floating around today.

Tip #2: Consumer Mindset is Changing

Protective packaging tactics that once worked long ago are going by the wayside. Society is leading lives that are much more different and diverse than they were 50 years ago, and we must keep up with consumer demand and the new rules of food marketing.

Today, your customers expect your packaging to cater to their lives—not to your marketing goals, and not to your own budget and benefit.

In order to succeed with packaging you have to genuinely understand your customer and his or her lifestyle.

And as mindsets and lifestyles change, our packaging must change along with it. The key is to consider the average lifestyle of your ideal customer. Are they always on the go? Aim for convenient packaging that’s easy to open. Are kids your prime target? Put a lot of thought into the design element of your packaging.

In order to rock your customer’s world with your protective packaging, you must first revolve your world around consumer demands.

Tip #3: Recyclable Packaging is “in”

We should always care about the environment, but there has been an increasing number of concerned customers who take recycling quite seriously. In fact, recent studies have shown that customers will think less of brands that don’t make an attempt to use environmentally friendly retail packaging.

The good news is that catering to your customers with recyclable protective packaging is easier than ever. An example are stand up bags which are completely recyclable, and they can be broken down and remade into other everyday items that are made from plastic.

Even if your customer chooses to not recycle, you are still helping the environment by switching to recyclable packaging. It takes up less space in the landfills, which helps cut down on the staggering amount of waste being added to dumps day after day.

Showing your customer that you care about their needs and the environment should be top priority for your brand.

Tip #4: Blending in Isn’t an Option

We’ve come along way from boring glass bottles and plain Jane jars. Competition in the food industry is fierce, rapidly growing, and moving faster than what we can wrap our heads around.

And if you expect to keep up with the pace, you need to add something flexible to your food marketing strategy.

What offers better flexibility than flexible retail packaging? It’s perfect for putting some oomph behind your overall food marketing strategy. With tons of color and stylistic options, flexibility is at its finest with flexible retail packaging.

Tip #5: Ditch The Box

Remember how we said that blending in isn’t an option? If you choose to package your product in a run-of-the-mill cardboard box, you’ll be forever lost in a sea of competitors.

Not to mention, boxes break several rules of customer satisfaction that every food marketer should know. Boxes are bulky, take up too much space on the shelf, and let’s face it—they aren’t pretty. Pretty packaging picks up customers, and you can only dress up a piece of cardboard so much.

Furthermore, product boxes don’t exactly scream environmentally friendly. Sure, you can usually recycle them, but what about all the space they take up in those landfills?

The jury is in, and customers aren’t thrilled about your cardboard packaging. Ditch the box.

Your interest in this blog indicates that you might be responsible in your company’s food marketing budget. If you’re not responsible, then you have some kind of vested interested to see your company succeed.

No business on Earth is in the game to lose money, and you’re surely included. Mistakes and bad advice can cost companies thousands, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Your protective packaging supplier can help you make sound decisions for your food marketing strategy. You aren’t on your own when it comes to implementing ideas and growing your brand, as long as you choose a supplier that has your best interest at heart.

And if you’re in the business of saving (and making) money, these 5 retail packaging tips can help your brand, your business, and ultimately boost sales.