Table of Contents
Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping events of the year. Shops and online stores see a big rise in orders. To handle it well, your packaging must be ready. More parcels, short deadlines, and fast delivery times make good packaging essential.
At Hub Packaging, we know preparation is key. This guide explains how to get your packaging ready, avoid delays, and keep customers happy during Black Friday.
Why Good Packaging Matters
During Black Friday, businesses face two main challenges: more orders and faster shipping. Packaging can slow things down if it is not planned properly. Not having enough boxes, using the wrong size, or having packaging that breaks during delivery can upset customers. These problems can lead to returns, complaints, and less trust in your brand.
Customers now expect more from packaging than ever. The parcel is often the first time they see your brand in person. If it looks messy or arrives damaged, it leaves a bad impression. Strong, well-planned packaging protects products and shows your business cares about quality.
Plan Early and Order Supplies
One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is ordering packaging too late. Around Black Friday, suppliers are busy too, and popular products may run out. To avoid this, plan early.
Helpful steps include:
- Look at last year’s sales and plan for a small increase.
- Order packaging early to avoid shortages.
- Make space to store extra boxes, tape, and materials.
These simple steps reduce stress and keep orders moving smoothly.
Choose the Right Box Size and Material
- Use strong cardboard boxes for protection.
- Include inserts for fragile items.
- Double wall boxes are best for heavy items.
- Mailer boxes are perfect for smaller products that need fast delivery.
Black Friday Recent Facts and Figures
UK consumers spent £8.74 billion during the 2023 Black Friday weekend, with about £3.9 billion spent in-store.
During Black Friday Week 2024 in the UK, the average conversion rate reached 4.6%, and on peak days like Cyber Monday it climbed to 5.3%.
Globally, in 2024, an estimated 75% of shoppers made a purchase during the Black Friday / Cyber Monday period, but 16% said they rarely or never trusted the advertised deals.
Mobile is dominant: one source states that in 2024 about 69% of all Black Friday purchases were made via mobile devices, with forecasts suggesting this could rise to 73% in 2025.
Online Black Friday sales in the U.S. for 2024 surpassed $10.8 billion, showing a year-over-year increase of ~10.2%.
Amazon Packaging Case Study
Amazon’s progress demonstrates that using correctly sized packaging, incorporating recyclable materials, and reducing single-use plastics is achievable even at a massive scale.
For businesses preparing for peak periods like Black Friday, Amazon’s strategies offer valuable lessons. Right-sizing boxes, minimizing filler, and choosing recyclable materials can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the customer experience.
However, even large companies face trade-offs and regional differences. Successfully reducing packaging requires investment in design, testing, and supply chain processes, and often depends on the availability of local recycling infrastructure.
Amazon Reduces Packaging Weight
Since 2015, Amazon has made its packages much lighter. On average, the weight of each shipment has gone down by about 43% around the world. This shows the company is trying to waste less and be more environmentally friendly.
Packaging Savings in 2023
In 2023 alone, Amazon avoided using 446,000 metric tons of packaging. Since 2015, it has stopped over 3 million metric tons of packaging from going to waste.
Replacing Plastic Air Pillows
In North America, Amazon changed about 95% of the plastic air pillows used in packages to paper instead. They hope to remove all plastic air pillows soon.
Shipping Without Extra Packaging
In 2023, about 12% of shipments worldwide were sent without any extra Amazon packaging. These items were sent in the manufacturer’s original packaging, which saves materials and makes shipping more efficient.
Make Sure You Have Enough Staff for Busy Periods
Having enough people to handle more orders is just as important as having the right packing and shipping processes. You might need to hire temporary staff, offer extra hours, or take steps to keep your current team motivated.
Staffing can be challenging even at the best times. With many jobs still unfilled, finding the right people can be even harder.
Its important to have a wide range of cardboard boxes and protective packaging for fast, safe shipping. Choosing the right materials makes packing easier and keeps products safe during delivery.
Match Your Packaging to Your Brand
Packaging is a chance to show off your brand. Small touches make parcels stand out and leave a positive impression. Ideas include:
- Branded tape or stickers with your logo.
- A thank-you card or discount code for the next purchase.
- Seasonal designs for special sales like Black Friday.
These details make your business look professional and memorable. Always make sure your branding does not reduce the strength or protection of the packaging.
Make Sustainability a Priority
High volumes of orders increase packaging waste. Many customers now care about eco-friendly packaging. Choosing recyclable or compostable materials shows you care and can save costs.
Offering eco-friendly options that are strong, reliable, and better for the environment. Adding clear recycling instructions helps customers dispose of packaging responsibly and adds a professional touch. Look out for other industry standard certifications like FSC.
Keep Your Fulfilment Process Smooth
Packaging is just one part of preparing orders. It affects storage, picking, packing, and delivery. To avoid problems during Black Friday:
- Use standard box sizes for popular products.
- Organise packing stations around these box sizes.
- Prepare packaging in advance to avoid last-minute stress.
- Train staff to handle higher workloads efficiently.
To stop product damages during transit, providing protective materials, shipping supplies, and storage solutions to make peak periods easier to manage.
Popular Black Friday Packaging
Mailroom Supplies
Efficient mailroom operations are crucial during Black Friday, and Hub Packaging’s mailroom supplies cater to this need. Options include:
- Jiffy Bags: Padded envelopes that provide cushioning for delicate items.
- Mailing Bags: Lightweight and durable bags suitable for a variety of products.
- Document Wallets: Organizers for paperwork, ensuring documents are securely stored and easily accessible.
- Parcel Warning Labels: Labels that provide handling instructions, reducing the risk of damage during transit.
- Polythene Mailers: Water-resistant mailers that protect contents from moisture.
Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard boxes are available in various styles to accommodate different shipping needs. Options include:
- Die Cut Boxes: Custom-shaped boxes that fit specific product dimensions, ensuring a snug fit and reducing movement during transit.
- Double Wall Boxes: Made with two layers of corrugated board, these boxes offer enhanced strength and protection for heavier or fragile items.
- Large Letter Postal Boxes: Designed to meet postal size requirements suitable for Royal Mail, ideal for mailing documents or smaller products.
- Postal Boxes: Standard boxes suitable for a wide range of products, providing reliable protection during shipping.
- Single Wall Boxes: Lightweight boxes suitable for less fragile items, offering cost-effective shipping solutions.
These options allow businesses to select the appropriate box type based on product size, weight, and fragility, ensuring safe and efficient shipping during Black Friday.
Protective Packaging
To safeguard products against damage during transit, it’s important to review a variety of protective packaging materials. Options include:
- Air Pillows: Inflatable cushions that provide shock absorption.
- Bubble Bags: Pre-formed bags with bubble lining, ideal for small items.
- Bubble Wrap: Rolls of bubble-lined plastic for wrapping products.
- Hexcel Paper: Crinkled paper that provides cushioning and void fill.
- Voidfill Paper: Paper used to fill empty spaces in packages, preventing movement.
These protective materials are essential for maintaining the integrity of products during the high-volume period of Black Friday.
Packaging Tapes
Sealing packages securely is vital for both protection and presentation. Types of tapes includes:
- Banding Tape: Used for bundling products together.
- Crossweave Tape: Heavy-duty tape with a woven structure for added strength.
- Double Sided Tape: Tape with adhesive on both sides, ideal for mounting or bonding.
- Duct Tape: Strong adhesive tape suitable for various applications.
- Filament Tape: Reinforced tape for securing heavy items.
- Floor Marking Tape: Used to mark areas on floors for safety or organization.
- Foil Tape: Aluminum tape used for sealing and insulation.
- Low Tack Tape: Removable tape that doesn’t leave residue.
- Masking Tape: Tape used for painting or labeling.
- Non-Adhesive Warning Tape: Tape used for cautionary purposes without adhesive.
- Paper S/A Tape: Self-adhesive paper tape for sealing.
- PET Tape: Polyester tape known for its strength.
- Polyprop Tape: Polypropylene tape suitable for various uses.
- Printed/Branded Tape: Tape that can be customized with logos or messages.
- PVC/Vinyl Tape: Durable tape made from PVC or vinyl materials.
- Strapping Tape: Tape used for securing strapping materials.
- Tape Dispensers: Devices for dispensing tape efficiently.
- Warning Tapes: Tape used to indicate hazards or caution.
Using the appropriate tape ensures packages are securely sealed, reducing the risk of damage or tampering.
Wrapping
Wrapping materials are designed to add a professional touch to Black Friday shipments. Their wrapping options include:
- Breathable Pallet Wrap: Wrap that allows air circulation, preventing moisture buildup.
- Hand Pallet Wrap: Manual wrap used for securing palletized goods.
- Handi-Wrap: Stretch film used for bundling and securing items.
- Machine Pallet Wrap: Wrap designed for use with pallet wrapping machines.
- Pallet Wrap Dispensers: Tools for dispensing pallet wrap efficiently.
- Spiral Wrap: Wrap that spirals around items for secure bundling.
These wrapping materials help secure products during storage and transit, preventing damage and ensuring items remain intact.
Black Friday presents both tremendous opportunity and unique challenges for businesses. Preparing your packaging in advance, selecting the right materials, and ensuring efficient fulfilment processes are key to keeping orders flowing smoothly and customers satisfied.
Strong, well-branded, and sustainable packaging not only protects products but also reinforces your brand’s professionalism and care. By planning early, equipping your team, and reviewing performance post-event, you can minimise issues, maximise efficiency, and make this Black Friday a successful and stress-free period for your business.
Hub Packaging’s range of boxes, protective materials, and shipping supplies provides the tools you need to stay ready for the busiest shopping season of the year. Download our newly designed product catalogue with over 2500+ products available.
Struggling to Find the Right Packaging Solution?
Let Hub Packaging help you find the right solution. Our dedicated customer service team is here to support you!
📞+44 (0)28 4175 4977
📧 sales@hub-packaging.com
🌐 https://www.hub-packaging.com
We’re here to make packaging work better for your business.