Packaging postponement: a global packaging strategy

Postponement applications have been growing in recent years as international firms increasingly develop global products that are customized for local markets. The purpose of this article is to provide an understanding of the logistical principles of postponement and speculation. It explores the factors that favour packaging postponement: (a) modular products that can be customized for local markets; (b) products that gain volume, weight or value from packing; (c) unpredictable demand; (d) a large number of market-based variations for a single formulation; and (e) situations where economies of scale in packaging and logistics can be optimized. Examples are presented.