The rise in food subscription services is still going strong as we enter 2024. According to Statista, in 2022, the revenue of the UK meal kit market was estimated to be worth $1.5 billion and is predicted to continue growing. Grocery retailers are also predicting a further 30% increase in new sign-ups to subscriptions over the next 12 months (Whistl), meaning there are plenty of opportunities for food brands to compete in this area. Food is currently the most popular subscription box category in the UK, with 26% of UK shoppers signing up for food, meal, or drink subscription boxes. Of those that use food subscription boxes, over a quarter (27%) rely on them for at least half of their meals (The Billington Group).

To support this continued growing market, there are a variety of insulated boxes designed specifically for food delivery catering to all types of products in various shapes and sizes. Regardless of the sort of foods you send, choosing the right insulated packaging for delivery is key. Without specialised insulated boxes for food, there’s no guarantee that items will arrive in a safe, edible, and optimum condition to your customers. It’s not just about delivering food; it’s about delivering an experience – a promise of delight, satisfaction, and trust to your customers, resulting in positive experiences and repeat purchases from your business.

In this blog post, we’ve outlined the six key things to consider when choosing insulated packaging boxes for food delivery.

1. Temperature control and duration

When selecting insulated boxes for your food products, it’s essential to ensure that the box provides the ideal temperature control for the specific types of food being delivered. Factors such as cold retention and the expected duration of delivery are key for perfecting a delightful journey from packaging to plate. You need to make sure that your chosen insulated boxes can keep food at the right temperature for the entire length of the delivery, spanning from when it’s first packaged to when it’s unboxed by eager consumers.

To measure the performance of insulated boxes, your packaging can be assessed using ISTA testing to examine a wide range of elements including its hardiness in ambient, chilled, and frozen environments.

Discover the remarkable journey of Mindful Chef’s insulated food delivery boxes as they successfully navigated the challenges of transporting chilled food throughout the supply chain thanks to ISTA Testing. David Waller, Mindful Chef’s Buying Manager reflects, “Smurfit Kappa have helped us to become even more sustainable: our new insulation packs are perfect for the job and we can keep our customers and the planet happy”. Read more here.

2. Safety regulations and standards

Opting for insulated shipping boxes that meet safety requirements protects not only the food and most importantly your customers’ health, but also your business’ reputation – a cornerstone for success and fostering trust among customers for repeat purchases. Cultivating a loyal customer base that trusts your brand is paramount, considering that 88% of consumers who trust a brand are likely to become repeat buyers (Deloitte).

3. Insulation material

There is a range of insulation materials to choose from, so it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of each for your products. Take time to explore the different insulation materials available for food delivery boxes – such as Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), wool or corrugated cardboard solutions – and determine which would work best for you.

• EPS – EPS is a popular choice, and it does a good job of keeping food at the desired temperature for an extended period. However, it’s not recyclable within the recycling infrastructure, which makes it a challenging choice if you’re trying to run an eco-conscious business, and show your customers you care about the impact you have on the planet. It was found that 42% of consumers believe using recycled content in packaging is important (Drapers). Therefore, exploring more environmentally-friendly packaging options is key to keeping consumers happy.

Take a look at how Sutherlands of Portsoy replaced the use of EPS in their packaging to create a 100% recyclable solution here.

• Wool – Wool provides significant insulation qualities, but it’s essential to consider if it’s right for your needs. Unlike some other environmentally-friendly alternatives, wool insulation may not fully align with sustainability goals due to its intensive production processes and associated environmental impacts. Considering other insulation alternatives for food delivery boxes might be a preferable choice for businesses looking to reduce their overall ecological footprint.
• Denim – Denim insulation, renowned for eco-friendliness, requires careful consideration. Repurposing jeans reduces textile waste and supports a circular economy, yet manufacturing processes may have environmental impacts such as high energy and water consumption, and the use of harmful chemicals. Staying informed and enhancing production processes can help businesses balance these benefits with environmental goals.
• Corrugated cardboard – Fulfilling the preferences of environmentally conscious consumers, cardboard is commonly used in packaging for its recyclable and biodegradable nature. Cardboard insulated boxes offer a variety of design options to accommodate different food items. Despite cardboard’s lower insulation and vulnerability to moisture damage compared to some other materials, when coupled with cleverly designed internal components and plastic-free water-resistant coatings, cardboard attains phenomenal insulation properties. This strategic combination ensures optimal product delivery while maintaining 100% kerbside recyclability.

When choosing the most suitable insulation material for your business objectives, you should try to find a balance between efficiency and recyclability. As you can see in our thermal insulated packaging street interview, planet-friendly packaging is something that a lot of consumers are concerned about and are demanding from brands.

After The Ginger Pig sourced 100% recyclable cardboard insulated packaging, Lynsey Coughlan, Operations Director reflected, “The team at Smurfit Kappa were able to take the problems we were facing and provide truly effective solutions. Our new cold delivery packaging adds value in so many different ways, not only for the business but most importantly to our customers.” Read the whole story here.

4. Size and capacity

Many businesses underestimate the importance of using insulated boxes which are the right size and capacity. By choosing the correct box dimensions for the types of food being transported, it’s much easier to keep food at an optimum temperature throughout

the journey. Correct sizing ensures that as much of the box as possible is used, which prevents excess air that could lead to a change in temperature. It also prevents unnecessary material waste, and allows for more boxes per pallet, helping to reduce CO2 emissions from less lorries on the road, again aligning with eco-friendly business practices.

By choosing boxes that perfectly accommodate the quantity and type of food, you can improve insulation efficiency and minimise changes in temperature as the items travel from A to B. This not only ensures the quality and safety of the food but also enhances customer satisfaction by ensuring that everything arrives in perfect condition.

5. Branding opportunities

Crafting custom insulated boxes not only ensures temperature control but also offers a canvas for showcasing your business’ brand throughout the delivery journey. Beyond preserving the perfect temperature, these bespoke boxes contribute to building a professional image and elevating brand recognition. Featuring logos and brand colours creates a consistent visual identity, fostering familiarity among customers. This not only enhances the overall professionalism of the box and delivery process but also leaves customers with a memorable impression.

See how working with Borough Broth we were able to turn their nondescript insulated boxes into visually stunning branded packages that are a feast for the eyes here.

6. Ease of transportation and handling

Choosing insulated boxes with features that make it easy to transport them – for example, boxes that are simple to stack and move, which streamline the loading and unloading process – can help to optimise the efficiency of your food delivery. Plus, ease of transportation and handling also contributes to keeping products safe throughout the supply chain. This ensures the safety and quality of food and improves the entire customer experience.

In the world of online shopping, the unboxing experience is a cherished moment for customers. A great unboxing experience helps to transform your brand into a reliability icon, sparking positive reviews and repeat purchases. And in the age of social media, where 15% of consumers voice their concerns online (Google) and 82% are influenced to buy a product after watching an unboxing video (Wyzowl), ensuring consumers have a positive experience with a brand is paramount. Turning to social media to guide them in the digital realm, 87% of people now use social platforms when making a shopping decision with 55% of smartphone shoppers purchasing a product after seeing it on social media (Modern Retail). Therefore, providing customers with a positive experience that they are willing to shout about on social media can be beneficial for reaching other potential customers and influencing their purchasing decisions.

How can we help you with your insulated packaging needs?

At Smurfit Kappa, we’re not just about packaging; we’re your partners in ensuring a tantalising journey for your culinary creations. With the ability to create and test 100% recyclable insulated packaging solutions, we can help you elevate your food delivery game to keep customers coming back for more.

Get in touch today!