Retail vs Shipping Corrugated Boxes: What’s the Difference?

Retail corrugated boxes are desired for the effective display of retail products placed on retail shelves, display counters, and online stores. The display boxes are produced with lightweight and thin materials.

In contrast, shipping corrugated boxes are crafted with multilayer, thick, and comparatively heavy-duty materials. This is because the main objective of these boxes is to secure and protect products during transportation, organization, and handling.

Definition of Corrugated Boxes

Corrugated boxes are sturdy, heavy-duty shipping containers made to package, organize, and transport products safely and soundly. Different layers of fibreboard packaging materials are used to meet the protection and packaging requirements of products, like E-Flute, D-Flute, and so on.

What Are Retail Corrugated Boxes?

Retail corrugated boxes are created with layered fibreboard to display retail products on display counters, retail shelves, and other e-commerce stores. The corrugated layers of the fibreboard and the thickness of the packaging materials depend on the packaging requirements of the products. For example, E-Flute is an ideal packaging material for lightweight smaller items for effective display.

What Are Shipping Corrugated Boxes?

Similar to the retail corrugated boxes, shipping corrugated boxes are also produced with multiple layers of fibreboard. However, these boards are produced comparatively thicker with more layers of corrugation to provide better protection of the products during organization, handling, and transportation. For instance, D-Flute is one of the best corrugated materials to provide excellent strength to the shipping boxes.

Key Differences Between Retail and Shipping Boxes

Retail and shipping boxes are entirely different packaging solutions, though both of them are produced with the same packaging materials. The thickness and fluted layers differ in the packaging materials of the two types of boxes. Some of the key differences can be explained below:

• Appearance

The appearance of retail corrugated boxes or display boxes is the primary concern to effectively showcase products, attract prospects, and persuade them to boost sales. While the shipping corrugated boxes are crafted with the main objective of secure shipment and transportation. 

• Strength & Durability

Shipping corrugated boxes are produced with strong packaging material for increased protection of the products, like A-flute, B-flute, or C-flute packaging materials. Whereas retail corrugated boxes are produced with comparatively less strong and thin packaging materials, like E-flute.

• Material Composition

Retail corrugated boxes are structured with a single layer of corrugation with the two outer layers. Shipping corrugated boxes are crafted with more than one inner layer between the two straight outer layers for enhanced protection during transportation and handling.

• Cost

The prime objective of retail packaging is to effectively showcase products, enhance presentation, and improve the unboxing experience. This leads to premium printing, finishing, and quality of packaging materials. This causes an increase in the cost of the retail packaging.

On the other hand, shipping boxes are aimed to provide better protection during transit and handling and need no premium finishes, printing, and material options. This is why these boxes are produced cost-effectively and are less expensive.

• Function

Retail packaging is created to create aesthetic appeal, a lasting impression, and an eye-catching presentation. Shipping boxes are primarily concerned with logistics and transportation to avoid damage and losses during transportation.

Types of Corrugated Boxes Used in Retail

Different types of corrugated boxes are used in retail packaging and display depending on the individualized requirements of products and brand. Some of the popular types of corrugated boxes can be explained in the following lines:

• Display Ready Packaging (DRP): These boxes are designed to transport and then be directly placed on the retail shelves and display counters without unboxing the products.
• Tuck Top Mailers: Tuck top mailer boxes are highly popular packaging solutions for smaller and lightweight products. The closure of these boxes is ideal for protecting the products without the need for tape or adhesive.
• Sleeve Slider Boxes: Sleeve drawer boxes are produced with a corrugated tray and a sliding sleeve that enhance the unboxing experience of customers.

Types of Corrugated Boxes Used for Shipping

A wide range of corrugated boxes are used for shipping products. We can categorize these boxes according to structure, construction, materials, and closure. The following are some popular corrugated shipping boxes:

• Single Wall Board: Single wall board is one that contains a single corrugated layer between the two outer layers, used for lightweight products that need less protection.
• Double Wall Board: Double wall board is created with double corrugated layers between the two straight outer layers. These boxes are produced for comparatively heavy and large products.
• Triple Wall Board: Triple wall board is created with triple corrugated layers between the two straight outer layers. These boxes are created for heavy-duty and large products.
• Auto Bottom Boxes: These boxes are produced with auto bottom closure for the increased protection of the products.
• Regular Slotted Containers (RSC): Regular slotted containers are produced with four flaps that cover the products from external factors and provide greater protection.
• Full Overlap Containers (FOL): This type of box is produced with overlapping flaps covering the products fully and ideally for the enhanced protection of products, generally high-value items, from the top of the boxes in order to save them from damage during handling.

Conclusion

Retail vs shipping corrugated boxes are excellent packaging solutions with different objectives. Retail corrugated boxes are produced for the ideal display and showcasing products in retail outlets. While shipping corrugated boxes are produced to effectively transport products without damage and losses during shipment, handling, and storage.

Create custom retail and shipping boxes to effectively communicate your brand identity, promote your brand awareness, and enhance your brand image in your market. High-quality shipping corrugated boxes can delight customers on receiving safe and sound products from online purchases