Back-to-school season brings a major increase in demand for office and school supplies. For office supply companies, distributors, and manufacturers, that can mean higher order volumes, tighter deadlines, increased warehouse activity, and more pressure to keep products moving efficiently.
From notebooks and paper to folders, binders, and pens, getting products from the warehouse to the customer requires more than having enough inventory. It requires the right packaging. One of the biggest challenges during a busy season is keeping enough packaging on hand without filling your warehouse with boxes you will not need for months.
Running out of packaging can slow down fulfillment, while ordering too much can take up valuable warehouse space and tie up money in unused inventory.
A Just-In-Time packaging approach can help businesses receive corrugated packaging closer to when they actually need it, allowing companies to better align their packaging supply with production schedules and seasonal demand.
Product protection is another concern. Office and school supplies may seem durable, but paper can bend, notebooks can become crushed, folders can crease, and smaller products can shift during transportation. Damaged products can lead to returns, replacements, customer complaints, and additional costs.
The right custom corrugated packaging can provide a better fit for products and help reduce unnecessary movement inside the box.
Packaging size can also impact shipping efficiency. Oversized boxes can leave unnecessary space and require additional materials, while packaging that is too small may not provide enough protection.
For office supply companies shipping large volumes, choosing packaging that fits the product can make a meaningful difference. The goal is not simply to have more boxes. It is to have the right boxes, in the right quantities, at the right time.
As back-to-school season approaches, consider your current packaging strategy.
Are you storing more boxes than you need? Are your boxes the right size for your products? Are damaged products or inefficient packaging affecting your shipping costs? And will you have enough packaging when order volumes increase?
Belley works with businesses to develop corrugated packaging solutions that fit their products, production schedules, and shipping needs.
Because when the back-to-school rush begins, the last thing you should have to worry about is whether you have the right box.
Back-to-School Packaging: How Office Supply Companies Can Ship Smarter