Online retailers are giving the humble cardboard box an extreme makeover, transforming a four-sided receptacle for delivering goods into the new shopping bag.
Out: brown, plain, boring.
In: neon colors, ornate lettering, glossy surfaces and geometric stenciling that looks like modern art.
By trying to replicate the delight and status jolt of in-person shopping — walking around New York with a Bloomingdale’s bag once signaled affluence — online retailers trying to break through the Amazon juggernaut are turning front doorsteps into new branding canvases.
As one box veteran puts it, “Every box tells a story.”
And the story often does not end with box cutters. Recipients post photos, videos and reviews online of the coolest boxes. Some re-purpose their boxes to store makeup, watches or even fishing lures. Others hang boxes on their walls, with dioramas inside.
“You all are going to be horrified,” one commenter wrote in an online discussion on a site that reviews boxes (such a thing really does exist), “but I just recycle them.”
This is the best of times for boxes. For decades, a stagnating economy and shift away from manufacturing flattened sales of corrugated and paperboard boxes. But in 2013, sales rebounded and have kept climbing, thanks to an improving economy and, analysts say, a fundamental shift in shopping habits.
Box sales are growing about 3 percent a year and will rise to nearly $40 billion in 2018, according to Katie Wieser, an analyst with the Freedonia Group, a market research firm. But boxes for e-commerce are growing even faster, at 4 percent. Amazon is thought to be the biggest customer, shipping nearly 5 billion packages a year.
Source: The Washington Post, August 21, 2016
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KATY LASEE | MARKETING DEPT.
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"eBay and Stockpile have teamed up to make it easier than ever to access the US stock market," according to the announcement. "With the launch of Stockpile gift cards on eBay's US marketplace, eBay becomes one of the first ecommerce companies to offer this new category of digital gift cards for stock."
eBay has launched a new wine category and live-auctions in recent years, and eBay CEO Devin Wenig has been hinting that new categories were coming. But as with other new categories, don't expect to be able to sell the items yourself.
In fact, to be clear, no one is selling actual shares of stock on eBay. Rather, PayPal Digital Gifts is selling Stockpile gift cards on the marketplace - and shoppers go to the Stockpile site to consummate the trade.
eBay spokesperson Ryan Moore pointed EcommerceBytes to the eBay Gift Card policy. "We allow PayPal to sell third party retailers' electronically delivered gift cards on eBay. Because we believe that PayPal's digital platform allows buyers to purchase these items on eBay in the most risk-free way, PayPal is currently the only entity allowed to sell electronically-delivered gift cards on eBay."
Shoppers who purchase them pay more than the value of the card. Currently PayPal Digital Gifts is selling a $25 gift card delivered via email for $29.95 and a $50 gift card for $56.95.
The description explains, "If you redeem a $50 gift card and the stock price is $100 when you redeem, you'll get half a share of stock."
General Manager for Gift Cards at eBay Wafa Dahel said Monday, "We're proud to be one of the first ecommerce companies in the nation to offer gift cards for stock, a new category for eBay. This innovative and unique gifting idea of stock speaks volume to what eBay is about - smart, fun and engaging with our customers."
Source: ecommercebytes.com, August 16, 2016 -- Ina Steiner
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KATY LASEE | MARKETING DEPT.
651 554 8533
KRLasee@traveltags.com
Travel Tags, Inc was recognized for excellence in workplace safety and health at the recent Governor's Safety Awards luncheon at the Minneapolis Convention Center as a recipient of the Governor’s Meritorious Achievement Award for Safety. TTI are one of 309 employers to be honored through the awards program, coordinated by the Minnesota Safety Council. Since 1934, the annual MN Governor's Safety Awards program has honored Minnesota employers with exceptional safety performance. Applicants are judged on several years of injury data as it compares with their industry's national statistics, and on their progress in implementing a comprehensive safety program. Winners are recognized at three levels:
"Employers like Travel Tags know that safety isn't automatic," said Paul Aasen, president of the Minnesota Safety Council. "It takes attention, dedication and continuous effort to protect their employees. Mark and Ed want to give the credit for the award to all Travel Tags employees and feel that “It is our employees focus on eliminating hazards and avoiding risk taking that allowed us to receive the award. With our continued focus on employee safety and continuous improvement of our safety management system, we will continue on our journey to improved workplace safety and accident reduction.”
Accepting the award on behalf of all Travel Tags employees are:
Mark Luger, General Manager (on left)
Ed Wakem, EHS Manager (on right)
MEDIA CONTACT:
KATY LASEE | MARKETING DEPT.
651 554 8533
KRLasee@traveltags.com
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