Remember the thrill of running to the tree on a Christmas morning? And the satisfaction of ripping through packages to reveal “Santa’s” gifts. Whether it is your gifts, a new foundation palette, or a viral electric shaver, the feeling of unboxing a new product is still the same. With social media’s connectivity, unboxing experiences can be shared with an audience. Public unboxing trends have started a storm with several social media trends showcasing brands’.
Customers have found it helpful to view several unboxing videos before purchasing. As such, businesses that leverage customer experience trends can reach a larger audience and drive profit. There are foolproof methods to achieve these results, as discussed below. But first, let’s see why the unboxing experience is as essential to a business as it is to a customer.
Does Unboxing Experience Affect Customer Retention?
Survey results reveal that customers with underwhelming packaging felt discouraged from making future purchases. Packaging design cannot be divorced from brand customer retention. The question is why customers would instead opt for retailers with better packaging. There is a psychological explanation for this.
The excitement of a new package releases a chemical reaction called dopamine in the brain. It pushes a dash of happiness into the customer’s bloodstream. The anticipation of opening the package further heightens this. Multi-sensory interactions with the eyes, nose, skin, and ears also help create happy memories. Seeking that rush of dopamine and that memory makes customers likely to seek out the vendor again. Throw social media into the equation: you have customers who want to show off their purchase to viewers craving a similar experience.
These actions positively influence the buying behaviors of customers and viewers. If a retailer’s packaging steadily delivers on these fronts, it almost guarantees 100% brand loyalty. Unboxing experience trends are likely to keep increasing in 2024. But this time, minimalist packaging is all the buzz. With environmental consciousness, customers are favoring eco-friendly packaging. As such, brands must offer both sustainable and creative packaging for the best customer retention.
Unique Brand Strategies for Unboxing Experiences
Creating an opportunity for beautiful unboxing experiences is a privilege. It is also great for boosting employees’ morale within the business. The delicate nature of unboxing experiences means it is just right. An unboxing experience gone wrong can quickly become a trending PR nightmare. Here are some of the unique ways to brand strategies.
Creative Packaging
The core of any unboxing experience is its creative packaging. Brands must do more than slam the product in a bland package. They can share their stories, crafts, colors, and logos with the customers. Businesses can also include clues, puzzles, and poetic excerpts to increase customer anticipation. Handy Creative packaging incorporated into the product’s structure is also great. Rhode, for instance, created a phone case that serves as a lipstick holder. Other ideas that tease senses, like touch, sight, and smell, are excellent starting points for creative packaging.
Eco-friendly Materials
Sustainable packaging is fast becoming a popular trend for unboxing and packaging. Customers want to avoid going through four or five layers of unboxing to access the goods. With this increasing preference for minimalist packaging comes the clamor for eco-friendly packaging. People do not want to be weighed down by the thought of contributing to climate degradation. Companies that intentionally reduce this burden are popular among buyers. It also makes for a great selling point to inform customers of sustainable packaging and eco-friendly packaging.
Personalized Packaging
In a world of mass production and deliveries, customers want to be assured of the intentionality of the product they get. A small note or gift is the surest way to endear customers to your brand. With little personalized elements, you will see customer retention soar through the roof. This packaging can include your brand’s story, vision, or details that may resonate strongly with customers. Personalized packaging may require you to consider package durability and accessibility.
Social Media Promotions
It is impossible to separate social media from the unboxing experience. It is the fastest and cheapest way to reach a large audience. Contrary to popular opinion, you do not need a famous influencer or celebrity to launch a great unboxing campaign. You only need to ensure a few things are in place. For one, you should ensure that your packaging ticks all creative boxes. If you do not have a tight budget, you can host an unboxing event or incorporate rewards as an incentive for sharing.
Bottom Line
Many global companies have included unboxing experience as a marketing strategy. Indeed, an unboxing experience done right can single-handedly send sales soaring. However, the converse is the case too. It is best to refrain from embarking on an unboxing experience campaign if you are unsure about the uniqueness of your packaging. Instead, return to the drawing table. We have outlined a few of them above. They are sure to get your unboxing experience into motion if adopted effectively.
