Shelf-ready packaging

Retailers, particularly large Big-box stores, superstores, Warehouse clubs, sell large quantities of Fast-moving consumer goods. These retailers often want to have items shipped from their distribution centers to the stores in unit loads and bulk boxes: these can be stocked without handling of the merchandise. The goal for corrugated shipping containers is to put case goods directly onto shelves and stocking locations without individually handling the unit packs or primary packages. Retailers often require products to come in shelf ready packaging to reduce stocking costs and save labor expenses.

Ready-to-go Display stands and end caps are put in the retail sales location by Forklift trucks without assembly or manual handling of unit packs.[1] [2] [3]

Retailers are commonly specifying all aspects of incoming logistics and packaging to their suppliers. This includes pallet size, bar code format and placement, rfid tags, strength of corrugated shipping containers, etc. Boxes must be easy to open and to prepare for stocking shelves. Several designs are available.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Box perforations, tear tape, etc must be intuitive and easy; box cutting knives are often discouraged. Frequently, requirements for reusable packaging and sustainable packaging are also provided.

The principles of shelf-ready-packaging are almost universal. Not all retailers, however, have the same detailed requirements. For example, Costcos “Structural Packaging Specifications”[11], Target’s “Shelf Ready and Transit Packaging Standards, Hardgoods”[12], and Walmarts "RRP and PDQ Display Standard Style Guide"[13] are similar but not identical.

Regional coordination in Europe has produced an agreement on common functional requirements for the design of SRP. The Efficient Consumer Response (ECR), Europe Working Group, has published “Shelf Ready Packaging” to help standardize programs.[14]

Manufacturers and packagers need to keep the diverse requirements of the retailers in mind as they package and ship their products. Sometimes consultants and contract packagers with experience in shelf-ready-packaging are useful.

Due to the fact that there are many different products which need to be packed in a SRP, products can be delivered by a variety of solutions.

Major retailers want their store operations to be “easy” and efficient. They put requirements on vendors or suppliers to deliver goods in packaging that make the retailer’s operations easy, Sometimes these are put in terms of five easies”.[20][21]

• 1 Easy Identification

Products must be clearly labeled by brand, name, stock keeping unit (SKU), etc. Bar codes and sometimes RFID tags must meet the retailer’s specification.

• 2 Easy Open

All SRP solutions should be easy to open, in order to secure easier and quicker replenishment. Packaging needs to be secure enough to withstand distribution but allow easy opening, preferably without special tools or knives. Opening processes should be intuitive; pictograms are useful.

• 3 Easy Recycle/dispose

In addition, a SRP should be easy to dispose or recycle. If the disposal of packaging materials is unwieldy and time-consuming, the benefit generated by SRP are negated by the disadvantages of elaborate disposal. Therefore, SRP should be disposable with little interaction, without assistance, space-saving, and foldable.

When using re-usable SRP, clear instruction for its return are necessary.

• 4 Easy Shelf

Closely related to the functional requirement "easy open" is the requirement of "easy shelf". Both requirements are intended to facilitate the replenishment of the shelves. To ensure proper replenishment, the SRP needs to be stable and should not lose its original shape.

Integrated package handles can facilitate the placing of goods on shelves.

SRP should be stackable and stable so that the space available on one shelf can be used efficiently.

• 5 Easy Shop

Consumers must be able to easily identify and obtain the product they intend to purchase. SRP should improve product identification and thus make a positive contribution to the shopping experience. As a result, SRP should be designed brightly to attract the attention of customers. After removal of products, the SRP must nevertheless remain stable and still visually appealing for the customer when in a half-empty state.

Shelf-ready packaging continues to be growing in many market segments, including over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. SRP helps retail stores to achieve cost savings in labor and in packaging materials. It also makes packaged products easier to spot for customers, resulting in better sales. Significant efforts and investments are usually made in improving aisle efficiency for consumers, ensuring consistent demand for suitable retail-ready products from physical outlets.[22]

• Packaging and labeling
• Merchandising
• Fast-moving consumer goods