It doesn't matter what year it is. Things change.....fast! Last year's decisions were sound and fundamentally strong, based on last year's opportunities. But look at what's happening now: Shipping costs are increasing in all areas of your supply chain, operating efficiencies are more important than ever, and protecting profit margins continues to influence decisions throughout an organization.
Packaging deserves a place in those conversations. Not just as a cost of doing business, but as an ignition switch for improvement across the board.
It's easy to think of packaging as a necessary expense. But strategic decisions made today can affect your success. Packaging choices can affect transportation costs across your supply chain, employee productivity, product damage, customer satisfaction, and certainly how your company's brand is perceived.
With some significant changes already taking shape in 2027, this is a good time to examine whether your current packaging is working as hard for your business as it should.
One of the clearest financial challenges heading into 2027 is the cost of shipping and transportation costs throughout your supply chain.
FedEx has announced an average general rate increase of 5.9%, effective January 4, 2027. UPS has also announced an average 5.9% increase in its daily rates, effective December 21, 2026.
That's not all. These changes follow an already expensive year for parcel transportation. According to October 26 Reuters report citing the TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index, fourth-quarter 2026 ground delivery prices are projected to increase 5.8% over the same period in 2025, while express delivery prices are expected to rise 13.8%.
It doesn't stop there.
This presents an opportunity to revisit packaging dimensions, materials, and configurations. Could a properly designed carton reduce wasted space? Could a different protective solution maintain product safety while reducing package size? Are you paying to transport more packaging than the product actually requires?
The objective isn't necessarily to use less packaging. It's to use the right packaging for the product, the right transportation method, and the conditions it will encounter.
Sources: TransImpact 2027 FedEx Rate Analysis, Gooding Supply Chain Advisors; UPS 2027 Rate Increase, Reuters October 26, 2026.
Shipping is only one part of the equation. The way packaging fits into daily operations can have a significant influence on overall costs.
Consider the process of preparing an order for shipment. If your process can create efficiencies, it can save money. A closer look at your packaging can help you make decisions that allow those efficiencies to happen, as opposed to trying to make a newer flow work around a former solution.
Then there's product protection.
A damaged shipment can create expenses that extend well beyond the product itself.
Research published in 2025 on corrugate-board engineering examined methods for modeling and validating packaging performance, contributing to the technical understanding of how packaging structures can be optimized.
The bottom-line lesson is that packaging design can improve performance and decrease cost. Choosing a less expensive material isn't a savings if the result is increased damage or additional billing.
For 2027, businesses may benefit from examining packaging as part of their entire fulfillment or production process rather than treating it as a separete purchasing decision.
Research: On the Design of Corrugated Boards: A New FEM Modeling and ExperimentalValidation,2025.
Packaging regulations are also evolving, particularly around material use, recyclability, and producer responsibility.
California's Senate Bill 54 is one example. The state's packaging producer responsibility program is scheduled for full implementation beginning January 1, 2027, with requirements affecting covered producers of single-use packaging and certain food service materials.
A company introducing a new product, entering another market, like e-commerce, or changing suppliers, may need to consider material composition, recyclability, and documentation as part of it's planning.
The important consideration is to make informed changes rather than reacting to new requirements after packaging has already been purchased, or products have entered production.
Source: Mayer Brown: California SB 54 Regulations and Compliance Obligations June 2026.
Think about what packaging communicates to the person receiving your product.
The condition and presentation of your product are part of the customer's experience with your business.
Of course, attractive packaging alone doesn't guarantee additional sales, and a well-designed shipping carton won't automatically create customer loyalty.
But packaging can reinforce the standards your business works to maintain. Consistent presentation, reliable protection, and attention to detail all contribute to how customers experience your products and establish brand loyalty.
With year-end planning underway, consider taking a fresh look at your current packaging arrangements.
Do we know our true packaging costs? Look beyond material purchases to include shipping, storage, labor, damage and waste, and all facets of your supply chain.
Are our packaging dimensions and materials still appropriate? Product changes, shipping methods, and order volumes may have changed since your currentent packaging was selected.
Where does packaging slow down our operations? Review assembly, packing, handling, storage, and other processes for opportunities to improve efficiency.
Are we prepared for changing customer and regulatory requirements? Consider whether your packaging specifications support your markets and future plans.
Could better packaging help us compete more effectively? Evaluate how product protection, presentation, consistency, and customer experience contribute to the value what you sell.
A thoughtful review may reveal ways in your supply chain to reduce transportation costs, improve productivity, protect products more effectively, or strengthen the experience customers have with your business.
At Ashtonne Packaging, we work with businesses of different sizes and across a variety of industries. We understand that packaging requirements aren't the same for every company, and the best solution isn't always the least expensive one.
As you prepare for 2027, we'd welcome the opportunity to take a closer look at your packaging needs and explore practical solutions that support your business goals.
Let's talk about what better packaging could mean for your business in the year ahead.
Call 877-522-6937 or contact us via email here and we'll guarantee someone will get in touch with you fast. We want to work with you!