Ahead of his presentation at the inaugural E-PACK Europe conference in 2019, we spoke to Andea Questda, E-Commerce Manager Channel EMEA at Sealed Air, to get her insights into the challenges of fresh products in e-commerce channels, what she thinks could be future significant changes, and more.
Q. Andrea, you'll be presenting on 'The challenges of fresh products in e-commerce channels', can you give us a sneak peek of what delegates will hear about?
Identifying the challenges faced by fresh food in the e-distribution segment, providing a strategic, technical solution to improve products sales performances and margins, as well as fostering sustainability, and improving customer experience. Also introducing a tailor-made program 'fresh without crash'.
Q. What do you see as the most significant changes coming up in packaging for e-commerce in the next 12-24 months?
New 'hybrid stores business model' (new backstore packaging technology). Retailers should invest in new technologies inside their stores to help food e-commerce growth. The new packaging systems will help products such as FRM and fish to arrive in a correct and safe way at consumers' homes, and also reducing the food waste of unsold products to the point of sale thanks to an extension of shelf life.
As perishable food e-commerce continues to grow and technology evolves, so will consumer expectations. Shoppers will expect shorter delivery times and more traceability of their orders. The focus on tracking products will extend throughout the supply chain with consumers increasingly interested in food miles and sourcing. Packaging technology has the potential to address these demands, providing real time information about location and even product condition. At Sealed Air, we are helping online retailers save millions annually by reducing product damage and improving their customers' experience.
Q. What are you seeing as the biggest stumbling blocks in the industry?
Q. What are you most looking forward to hearing about at E-PACK?
Acquiring all the latest information and trends about the full landscape of the packaging world, and of the consumer perspective.
Q. Why do you feel it is important for people to attend E-PACK Europe 2019?
To create awareness on the technical solutions which are already available to improve the business online, and to inform future ones.
Angela presented as part of the New Materials and Latest Technologies session at the 2019 conference. Other presentations in the session included Zalando, Highpack Group and DS Smith.
