Online retailers that overdo the packaging risk a backlash from consumers, according a study by delivery company Hermes.
Some 67 per cent of consumers had received a parcel from a retailer that had packaging they considered to be wasteful and excessive.
And nearly a third said that wasteful packaging would make them less likely to shop with that retailer again.
70 per cent of respondents felt that retailers should be doing more to minimise the environmental impact of home delivery and over three quarters struggled to name a single retailer that they believed was doing a good job in this area.
“This research shows that the use of inappropriate packaging is having an adverse affect on the overall shopping experience and is something that will need to be addressed. Not only are consumers becoming unhappy about the levels of waste, but also having the added hassle of disposing of the packaging as well, which can also include a box full of shredded paper or bubble wrap,” said Hermes sales director Gary Winter.
“From our own experience, the difference between well and poorly packaged parcels can affect the trailer volumes by up to and even beyond 300 per cent, so any improvement can make a massive contribution to reducing an organisation’s carbon footprint as well as costs.”
