Industry Changes
The number of e-commerce businesses has grown by 312%, followed by Freight Transport businesses increasing by 101%.
| Industry | Businesses from November 2018-March 2020 | Businesses from March 2020 – October 2021 | % Change |
| E-commerce | 15,006 | 61,875 | 312% |
| Freight Transport | 14,707 | 29,504 | 101% |
| Real Estate buying and selling | 28,509 | 45,314 | 59% |
| Lettings | 27,415 | 39,165 | 43% |
| Building Projects | 17,186 | 22,653 | 32% |
| Business Support Services | 22,924 | 28,170 | 23% |
| Management Consultancy | 34,532 | 39,172 | 13% |
This has undoubtedly had a large impact on the packaging used throughout the UK. As only 80% of cardboard packaging is recycled, this has led to a huge amount of cardboard packaging waste. With many small businesses popping up and trying to compete against market leaders such as Amazon, maybe their sustainability claims will be able to stand them apart.
The plastic film used in Amazon plastic pillows, mailers, bubble wrap and more is not accepted by most plastic packaging recycling programs. Based on previous reports of their plastic waste, this means Amazon is now producing enough online shopping packaging waste to circle the Earth roughly 667 times — nearly 30 million pounds (13,608 metric tonnes) of unrecycled plastic waste.
Regional Changes
When looking at a regional angle, London has the most e-commerce companies with 22,202 registered over the last 18 months. Liverpool has experienced the most growth with a 502% increase over the same period.
| Town | Number of Companies (Nov 2018 – March 2020) | Number of Companies (March 2020 – Oct 2021) | % Change |
| Liverpool | 104 | 626 | 502% |
| Birmingham | 347 | 1,731 | 399% |
| London | 4,478 | 22,202 | 396% |
| Glasgow | 200 | 735 | 234% |
| Manchester | 539 | 1,725 | 220% |
ENDS –
Credit to Packagingonline.co.uk
About Packaging Online:
As part of the Challenge Packaging group, Packaging Online is an online packaging supplier, offering quick, off-the-shelf, and hassle-free packaging product delivery and solutions. All supplies are designed to help a range of small businesses to individuals who are looking for high-quality packaging and advanced packaging materials with competitive prices. They pride themselves as sustainable, knowledgeable, innovative, and uncomplicated.
Manufactured from 100% recycled micro-flute, each product is printed with water-based ink, made from FSC board, and is 100% plastic-free, making it eco-friendly and compostable.