Plastic that breaks down in weeks rather than centuries sounds fantastic. As concerns over plastic waste mount, the biodegradable plastics industry is growing rapidly coming up with all sorts of alternatives. However, it’s not as simple as simply throwing these new plastics in your backyard and letting nature take its course. By now, no one denies that humanity has a plastic problem on our hands. At FP International, we think about this issue often, keeping innovation and sustainability at the...

  What is a Social Media Influencer? Being a social media influencer hasn’t always been a job, even though we tend to forget that. Before we get too into it, let’s break down what a social media influencer is, and what the point is with this new development in the world of selling products. A social media influencer is someone who has a following and is able to promote products in a way that increases sales not only for the...

Well, well, well. Look at you go! You have reached the point where shipping internationally has become an option. That’s a big feat, so first take a minute to congratulate yourself. Not everything gets to share their products across seas. Now that you have given yourself a high-five, let’s start the real adventure. In the below article, we will be going through six key steps that will help you be the best internationally shipper out there. Grab a notepad, and...

  If you have been in business for long enough, you know how hard it is to get customers—and how it's even harder to keep them. When people have thousands of products to choose from, and even more thoughts swirling through their head, how do you grab a customer and save them for life? It’s a question that every single successful business person has to think about it. Sure, your product may be great, and you may have everything to...

  INTRODUCTION Social media platforms have become more than just a way to keep in contact with your family and friends. These platforms have evolved into something that can make or break your company. With social media platforms, you are able to target your exact audience and customer base with just a few clicks. However, it’s important to know that not all platforms are created equal! Each platform has something unique and special that differs from all the others. These...

First, an example.  You and your team put time, effort, creativity, and innovation into your brand’s packaging. Finding the perfect materials, colors, fonts, text treatments, copy, imagery - it all entailed effort and intention. So when that packaging ends up on the side of the road, or on a beach, or in the middle of a suburban sidewalk, that packaging has turned from a unique and meaningful element of your brand’s image to...litter.    Product packaging continues to make its...

Sustainability is about more than environmental impact. The concept and practice of sustainability, in fact, is three-pronged (or three-pillared, or a three-legged stool, and on and on).  Certainly, sustainability is environmental and economic, especially in the packaging value chain. These two pillars must be considered in every aspect of the industry, from raw material extraction and production, through package conversion and creation, to after-use recovery and solid waste scenarios. But there’s an oft-forgotten third dimension, and it’s just as critical...

So you’re a retailer. Where should you sell? In an established online marketplace, or in a store of your own? You can find an overview of all the various types of retail avenues here, but today we want to provide you with the pros and cons of all your options, so you can make the best choice for yourself and your business!   Online StorePROS: Ownership: If you own the store, you also own the traffic. This opens up new opportunities...