E-commerce companies that use better quality packaging are at an advantage, reveals a new report by University of Wisconsin and packaging company Pregis.
In a study of 60 participants, the perceived retail value of a product delivered in premium packaging was 45% higher than the same item inside economy packaging.
Moreover, the product scored higher across all criteria including unboxing emotions, packaging perception and likelihood to give as a gift.
Page Moreau, Professor of Marketing at the University of Wisconsin, said: “There is strong evidence that the unboxing experience impacts customers’ emotions and their perceptions of product value.
“When a retailer gets the unboxing experience right, they demonstrate that the products is valuable and worth protecting.
“Consumers recognise that signal, and it influences their perception of quality.”
Moreau added: “As e-commerce continues to be the growth engine for retail, retailers and brands must understand their new showplace is the parcel packaging.”