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The World in 2025 – Caring Convenience
Here at DS Smith we are currently #rehearsingthefuture - a process where we’ve created possible scenarios for the future (NOT predictions) to help us debate and shape the trends and issues that we think will have an impact on us, our industry and society as a whole in the decade to come.
Our first of three scenarios looks at the rise of e-commerce.
By 2020 more than half of consumer buying decisions take place on-line. This means that e-commerce and traditional bricks and mortar retailing co-exist in a new omnichannel , that combines consumer delight with total convenience.
Our shopping streets and malls have become galleries for lifestyle experiences that consumers love, flexible changing-rooms for easy try-on and returns, and pick-up points for orders - rather than simply places to choose and pay for a limited range of standard products. At the same time, a whole new fulfilment industry emerges, including companies like Uber, to send packages over the “last mile” to consumers with the minimum cost and effort.
But with all this plastic and cardboard ending up in the home, growing unease about excess packaging starts a backlash against e-retailers. Local councils are overwhelmed with the challenge of dealing with all the materials, and consumer groups start a Zero Packaging Movement to lobby governments for change. As logistics and recycling costs rise, prices rise, and e-commerce starts to lose some of its appeal.
To respond, packaging companies and their customers trigger a new age of innovation. Robust plain packaging with the minimum of wasted space is combined with intricate engineering and exciting customisation. The aim is create the perfect consumer experience when the package arrives at home, but also enable easy return or recycling when the pack is no longer required.
Gradually online and traditional retailers find a balance between high quality consumer experience, efficient logistics, and genuine convenience.
Watch our video or read our first scenario in full to learn how things might unfold in 2025.
How is e-commerce shaping our future?
We don’t pretend to have all of the answers but we’re hoping that our customers, our suppliers and other stakeholders will enjoy debating these issues with us as we seek to develop partnerships for the long-term based around shared understanding and value.
You are invited to join the conversation at scenarios@dssmith.com or on twitter with #rehearsingthefuture because we intend to be one of the companies that will not only thrive in the future but to be one that shapes it too.
