Even though things are slowly changing, following the pandemic, we are all thinking; will the world ever go back to the way it was or will we all have to get used to a new ‘normal’?
As a business, we were luckier than some. The pandemic created as many opportunities as challenges for us. To begin with, lockdown meant a number of our regular customers had to close, sales fell and we were worried, wondering what would become of our business, our livelihoods, whether we would have to let staff go.
Then suddenly, things changed. Businesses were working from home. Posting goods out to customers rather than selling directly to them from shops or market stalls. The demand for cardboard boxes increased dramatically. We had to run to keep up, we needed support to invest in additional staff and machinery and had to deal with the relating issues of Royal Mail and couriers being inundated with parcel deliveries.
Most people we dealt with understood the lengthened delivery times, the demand for materials, the fact that, once we had despatched the goods, delivery times were out of our control. We still have some issues with couriers not being able to get signatures from customers due to Covid. Occasionally, parcels are left in unsuitable places and queries have to be dealt with.
Our online sales went from @ 13073 orders in 2019 to @ 36379 in 2020 – an increase of over 175%!
Overall, I think the team here at Cardboard Boxes managed pretty damn well and rose to the challenge. No furlough for them. No sitting in their gardens in the sunshine, playing with their children or catching up with long overdue jobs around the house. They came to work every day, in masks, 2 metres apart and cracked on with making sure everyone got their online orders so our customers could carrier on with their business and despatch their orders.
Things have settled down a little now. People are able to go into shops rather than order online. There is a worldwide corrugated board shortage. Lead times for raw materials are unprecedented and we have had 3 raw material price increases in the last 6 months with more promised. But we are still here. Making boxes for whenever you need them.
We are in a position now where we are no longer running to catch up but are making timely, informed decisions about our future. Where do we go next?
Watch this space…
