Retail · Case study
Two bag tiers that cut a boutique's packaging spend
One flagship bag was being used for every sale, including a pair of socks. We split the system in two.
Independent fashion boutique, Kilkenny
The requirement
Reduce packaging cost per transaction without making the shop feel cheaper, across a store selling everything from small accessories to coats.
The audience
Regular local customers plus visitors, with an average basket ranging from €15 to €400.
The challenge
The boutique had a single, beautiful, expensive bag. Because it was the only bag, it went out with every sale, so the packaging cost on a small purchase was disproportionate, and the flagship bag had stopped signalling anything special.
Our recommendation
A two-tier system: the existing flagship bag retained for higher-value sales, plus a lighter unlaminated everyday bag in the same colour with a twisted paper handle. Both tied together by one printed tissue and one foiled seal used across everything.
The result
Packaging cost per transaction fell by roughly a third while the flagship bag recovered its meaning. The shared tissue and seal keep the two tiers reading as a single brand.
Specification
- Flagship: 250gsm, matt laminated, cotton rope handles
- Everyday: 150gsm unlaminated, twisted paper handles
- Shared two-colour printed tissue
- Foiled circular seal, 40mm
- Nested sizes across both tiers
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Can AP&D advise on this for my packaging?
Yes. If "Two bag tiers that cut a boutique's packaging spend" raises a question about your own bags or boxes, contact us and we will recommend a specification.
Will I see a physical sample before production?
As part of the process, we can make a pre-production sample upon request, in the real stock and finish.
What is the minimum order?
Different printed products have different MOQs, but higher quantities reduce the cost: Luxury Carrier Bags 500, Twisted Handle Bags 3,000, Gift Card Holders 500, Gift Boxes 250, Garment Covers 100, Key Card Holders 1,000, Printed Ribbon 500m, Printed Tissue 10 reams and Printed Labels 1,000.
Tell us what goes in the bag.
Send the brief, or the vaguest version of it, and we will come back with a specification, a cost and an honest lead time.