This is the fourth in a five-part blog series called 25 Ways to Save Money on Packaging, published every Wednesday. Each week, we’ll explore a different area of packaging strategy, from smarter design and efficient fulfilment to procurement hacks and logistics – all tailored to help brands like yours cut costs while maintaining a great customer experience.
Blog 4: Procurement That Works Harder
Your packaging costs don’t just come down to what you design or ship — they’re also shaped by how (and where) you buy. From supplier selection to order strategy, this part of the process is often overlooked, but it’s where some of the biggest savings can be unlocked.
21. Get multiple quotes
It’s easy to stick with the same supplier out of habit, but that can mean missing out on better pricing, lead times, or service. Benchmarking your packaging costs once or twice a year gives you leverage and ensures you’re still getting good value. At Supplied, we do this for you constantly — cross-quoting through our network of trusted suppliers built over 30 years. This ensures you’re getting the best price for the spec, without the admin.
22. Don’t focus only on unit price
The cheapest unit price doesn’t always win. What matters is the total landed cost, including freight, storage, duties, and how well the packaging performs in fulfilment. Be mindful of shipping terms too – EXW (ExWorks) pricing may seem cheaper, but DAP (Delivered At Place) can reduce headaches and hidden fees. More about incoterms here. A box that costs 5p more but assembles 10 seconds faster might be the better deal overall.
23. Forecast better, order smarter
Reactive ordering leads to poor pricing, panic buying, and delays. The more accurate your forecasts, the more confidently you can order, which often unlocks better volume pricing or delivery terms. If you’re launching new SKUs or promotions, include your packaging partners early. Sharing product roadmaps or marketing calendars can help suppliers prepare capacity, and in some cases, reserve raw material pricing in advance. We offer excellent call-off solutions with inclusive storage and material pre-ordering, meaning if you can forecast even a minimum 6-month window, we can help you capitalise on the best possible pricing.
24. Consolidate your buying
Buying tape from one supplier, cartons from another, and tissue from a third sounds flexible, but usually ends up more expensive. You lose bulk discounts, add multiple freight charges, and deal with more admin and stock tracking. Where possible, consolidate packaging spend with a single trusted partner who can provide all or most of what you need. Not only will it save money, it’ll make your ops team’s life easier too.
25. Use a partner who can scale with you
If your brand is growing, your packaging supplier needs to be able to keep up. Working with a partner who has global sourcing, stockholding options, and the ability to scale as you scale avoids costly disruptions down the line. A partner that offers flexibility — like storing materials, supporting multiple SKUs, or sourcing from multiple regions — ensures your costs stay competitive as you grow.
Procurement is where packaging costs are locked in — or lost. Getting smarter about who you work with, how you order, and what you measure can be the difference between average costs and best-in-class efficiency.
Next week is the final blog in the series. Part 5 will tie it all together, showing how packaging impacts your brand, your operations, and your bottom line. Don’t miss the finale!
