Reducing costs through sustainable logistics
Logistics accounts for a significant portion of costs for e-commerce brands. However, one often underestimated lever can transform both profitability and brand image: packaging. Between oversized boxes, inflated transport costs and consumer expectations in terms of environmental friendliness, packaging has become a strategic issue. So how can you reduce costs while making your logistics more sustainable?
The packaging, an underestimated cost
Packaging generates two types of expenditure. On the one hand, there are the direct costs associated with boxes, adhesive tape and cushioning materials. On the other hand, indirect costs arise when packaging is not optimised. For example, a box that is too large for the product increases the volumetric weight and drives up transport costs. Added to this is the customer experience: receiving a small item in an oversized box is perceived as wasteful, which damages satisfaction and the brand image.
When sustainability becomes profitable
One might think that eco-friendly packaging costs more, but the opposite is true. Appropriate packaging reduces volume and therefore transport costs. The use of recycled cardboard or sustainable materials improves brand perception, meets consumers’ CSR expectations and builds loyalty among environmentally conscious buyers. At the same time, better-designed packaging reduces the number of damaged products and therefore returns, leading to a direct increase in profitability.
For an e-commerce brand, there are many levers to pull. Among the most effective are:
Using recycled cardboard boxes that are adapted to the size of the product to limit empty space and reduce transport costs.
Implementing intelligent transport pooling to optimise shipping volumes.
By combining these practices with automated order preparation and the selection of suitable carriers, Futurlog enables its customers to reduce their logistics costs by up to 35%.
L'exemple d'une marque en croissance
Let us consider the case of an SME in the fashion industry that ships around 5,000 orders per month. By redesigning its packaging to make it more suitable and sustainable, it saw a 12% reduction in transport costs, a 20% decrease in returns due to damaged products, and an 8% improvement in repurchase rates.
To summarise
Packaging is not just a minor detail in the supply chain: it is a strategic lever for gaining competitiveness. By combining sustainability and economic optimisation, e-retailers can improve their profitability while meeting consumer expectations. At Futurlog, we support brands in this transition with tailor-made, efficient and responsible logistics and packaging solutions.
🔍Faq
Because it directly influences transport costs and customer satisfaction.
Too large or poorly adapted cardboard increases volumetric weight, thus shipping costs, while degrading the brand image.
At Futurlog, we help e-tailers to design custom and responsible packaging, to deliver better, at lower cost.
No, on the contrary.
A well-thought-out eco-responsible packaging reduces volumes, returns related to damaged products and therefore overall costs.
Brands supported by Futurlog see up to 35% logistics savings through a combination of optimized packaging, shared transport and automation of preparation.
Futurlog designs custom-made logistics packaging solutions, adapted to each type of product and brand strategy.
Our teams select the most efficient recycled materials, optimize the volumes shipped and ensure compatibility with our carrier partners.
Result: a smoother, greener and more profitable logistics. 🌱