7 Questions to Ask to Choose the Right Packaging Supplier
The right packaging supplier can make a world of difference for your brand — not just in how your products look, but in how efficiently they ship, how sustainably they’re produced, and how smoothly your supply chain runs. Whether you’re an established retailer or launching a new product line, choosing a supplier who truly understands your business is key.
Before signing on with a retail packaging partner, here are seven essential questions to ask:
Do they understand your brand and customer experience goals?
Packaging is an extension of your brand story. The right supplier should ask about your brand aesthetic, target market, and how you want customers to feel when they unbox your products. Look for a partner who takes the time to understand your retail strategy, not just your packaging specs.
Can they scale with your business?
Your packaging needs today may not be the same six months from now. Choose a supplier with the infrastructure and capacity to grow with you. Whether it’s adding new SKUs, handling seasonal surges, or managing national distribution, scalability ensures consistency and reliability as your brand expands.
What sustainability solutions are available?
Today’s consumers care deeply about the environmental impact of packaging — and so should your supplier. Ask about recycled or renewable materials, right-sizing programs to reduce waste, and closed-loop recycling capabilities. The right partner can help you meet your sustainability goals without compromising performance or design.
How do they manage sourcing and supply chain reliability?
Even the best packaging design won’t matter if materials are delayed or inconsistent. Does your partner execute best practices related to ensuring regulatory compliance and frequent audits to ensure risks such as anti-bribery, ethical treatment, and fair wages as well as important compliance to strengthen governance to protect your brand?
Ask about their supplier network, inventory management, and contingency plans. A partner with strong global and domestic sourcing relationships and proactive supply chain monitoring can help you avoid disruptions and keep projects on track.
Do they offer design and production expertise?
Packaging isn’t just about boxes and bags— it’s about the total solution and a great customer experience. A retail partner who offers structural design expertise, trend insights, and material innovation can help your brand stand out while reducing cost and waste. From mockups to finished prototypes, creative collaboration can take your packaging to the next level.
What is their quality control process?
Ask about their standards, testing, and inspection protocols. If they produce overseas, do they have on-the-ground quality assurance teams to provide oversight? Consistency in color, material strength, and finishing details all impact your brand perception. A good supplier should have clear QC checkpoints and be transparent about how they maintain quality from production to delivery.
Can they help streamline retail supplies beyond packaging?
Many retailers work with multiple suppliers for bags, tissue paper, hangers, and backroom essentials, but managing multiple vendors can complicate the process and increase expenses. A full-service retail supplier can help consolidate all your goods-not-for-resale (GNFR) simplifying ordering, billing, and delivery. Partnering with a company that offers everything from packaging to retail supplies means fewer headaches and more cohesive brand execution across your locations.
Choosing a Partner Who Feels Like Part of Your Team
At Bunzl Retail Services, we believe the best packaging suppliers don’t just deliver products they deliver peace of mind. Through our teams at CTC and Keenpac, we can provide packaging design and production, visual merchandising, and more, to simply your retail goods.
Our global sourcing, in-house design, and dedicated account management teams work together to help brands of all sizes find packaging that’s beautiful, functional, and sustainable.
Ready to start your next packaging project? Contact us to learn how BRS can support your brand from concept to delivery.
