e@Box launch: DS Smith delivers e-commerce WOW factor to FachPack 2018

27 Sep 2018 --- DS Smith’s most recent e-commerce package is currently exhibiting at this year’s FachPack in Nuremberg. The e@Box pushes the boundaries of e-commerce packaging by combining both primary and secondary packaging in a stylish, sustainable and protective single solution. PackagingInsights caught up with the e@Box designer, Quaas Volker of DS Smith, just before he collected the Deutscher – Verpackungspreis (German Packaging Award) for his design.

“The inspiration for the e@Box derived from different market trends in e-commerce. Two of the biggest trends are gifting and unboxing. We have a lot of different packaging solutions for e-commerce but we missed a special solution for unboxing only,” says Volker.

“With the help of internal workshops we have designed the e@Box, which can deliver a great WOW effect during the opening. The WOW effect is helping our customers to generate a high recognition effect for their brand and support the reselling of its products.”

“The e@Box is a perfect frustration free packaging solution which is reducing risks and at a lower cost. It can increase sales in the e-commerce business area if a high added value packaging solution is required,” he explains.

The e@Box collected the Deutscher – Verpackungspreis (German Packaging Award) on the first day of FachPack 2018. The judges were particularly impressed by the all-in-one solution (the combination of primary and secondary packaging into one piece) and the WOW factor generated during the opening of the package.

Whether headphones, shoes, fan jersey, cordless drill or cosmetics gift set – the e@Box always has the right size and strength so that quality products can be delivered to the customer safely and without the usual heaps of packaging waste. Even the primary packaging is optimally protected thanks to the box-in-box system: no dents, no scratches, the presentation of the brand is always perfect in the e-shoppers home.

Thanks to the circumferential pull-strip, the external packaging can be opened easily. When sliding the box open, the two halves gradually reveal the interior packaging printed in the brand design and the long-awaited product. The original construction ensures a shopping experience that will be remembered while at the same time offering a maximum of convenience. In the event of a return shipment, the two parts of the external packaging only need to be pushed together again and sealed with tape. The e@Box is flexible with regard to its dimensions and design. All sizes up to a surface area of 300 x 400 mm can be realised.

“The new design solution will create a perfect product protection for the brand and will deliver a special unboxing effect – a WOW effect for the brand’s customers. I believe the e@Box can generate higher sales for brands because of the customer experience during the opening,” says Volker.

The e@Box will launch in Germany later this year, but with delivery to different regions of Europe also possible. In addition to the aesthetic appeal of the package, it also boasts sustainability qualities.

“We are using only 100 percent recyclable materials – corrugated board materials,” continues Volker. “The design uses RightSize which allows us to avoid any void fill between the primary and secondary packaging solution. Therefore, the e@Box uses a minimal amount of material.”

Significantly, the e@Box also conforms to Amazon’s new packaging regulations which require that “by August 1, 2019, all items larger than 18" x 14" x 8" or 20 lbs. or more sold through Amazon be designed and certified as ready-to-ship (Tier 1 – FFP or Tier 2 – SIOC) within our Frustration-Free Packaging programs,” the Amazon letter reads.

“The e@Box is a frustration-free packaging solution which conforms to the Amazon requirements. The design has no perforations, is tamper evident and is completely closed,” Volker says.

“In addition to that, the design is easy to open and easy to recycle because of the fact that we are using only corrugated board to produce this box. There is no need to the fill empty spaces between the primary and secondary packaging solution with void fill – it is an all in one solution,” he concludes.

By Joshua Poole