It's a Wrap: Tips for Packaging Holiday Gifts From Annex Brands, Inc.

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - Nov 28, 2011) - For shoppers with distant friends and family on their holiday gift lists, choosing, buying and wrapping the perfect gift is just the beginning. Packing and shipping the gift so that it arrives intact and in time is key to delivering a happy holiday.

FedEx recently estimated that it expects to deliver more than 260 million shipments through its worldwide shipping networks between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, a 12 percent volume increase over 2010. Online shopping is driving some of this increase, according to the FedEx announcement, but millions of individuals will also be shipping gifts to relatives and loved ones over the next couple of months via FedEx, United Parcel Service (UPS), the U.S. Postal Service and other package shipping options.

According to Steve Goble, Vice President of Marketing Communications for Annex Brands, franchisor for the PostalAnnex+, Navis Pack & Ship, AIM Mail Center, Handle With Care Packaging Store and Sunshine Pack & Ship brands, packaging a gift correctly helps to ensure safe and on-time delivery. "Packages that are damaged are often delayed as well," says Goble. "Proper packaging not only helps to prevent damage to the gift in the package, it helps to preserve the address and delivery instructions on the outside of the package. And this is an important part of having a package arrive in time for the holidays."

Goble offers these tips for holiday shippers:

• Don't reuse old shipping cartons. Package gifts in a new box that will stand up to the rigors of holiday shipping volumes. Old cartons may collapse and may display previous address and return address information that could misdirect the package.
• Place labels directly on the shipping carton. Don't wrap shipping cartons -- old or new -- in brown paper. If the paper is torn from the box during shipping, the shipping label will be lost too -- and the package may become undeliverable.
• Place delivery information inside the package, as well as on the delivery label. If the delivery label is lost, the carrier will still be able to complete delivery.
• No strings attached! Don't tie packages up with string. String can get caught in sorting machines, resulting in mangled packages and damaged contents.
• Duct tape is for ducts, not for shipping packages. Duct tape loses its grip in cold weather, and masking tape, painter's, and electrical tape are not strong enough to stand up to the shipping process.

"Bubble wrap and foam 'peanuts' are better than crumpled newspaper for keeping package contents safe," Goble adds. These packing materials can help prevent carton flaps from caving in, which can break the tape seal on the carton and allow the contents to fall out.

Consumers with long holiday to-do lists can also opt to turn holiday packaging chores over to the experts at the PostalAnnex+, Navis Pack & Ship, AIM Mail Center, Handle With Care Packaging Store and Sunshine Pack & Ship stores. These packaging specialists can recommend the right-sized box to keep the items inside safe without requiring extra packing materials or possible increased shipping costs. Shoppers can also turn to these stores for post-holiday clean-up, using their recycling service to dispose of packaging "peanuts" and similar materials instead of throwing them in the trash.

"Our recycling program keeps these materials out of landfills, which benefits the community," Goble said. "Consumers can make an even greater positive impact on the environment by reusing wrapping paper, bows, ribbons and such and by creating gift tags for next year's holidays from this year's greeting cards. This year's Christmas tree can be turned into pine mulch for shrubs and flowerbeds, too."

PostalAnnex+, Navis Pack & Ship, AIM Mail Center, Handle With Care Packaging Store and Sunshine Pack & Ship are one-stop support centers for packaging, postal and office supply needs. For more information, visit www.AnnexBrands.com.

About Annex Brands

Annex Brands, Inc. is the franchisor of the PostalAnnex+, Navis Pack & Ship, AIM Mail Center, Handle With Care Packaging Store and Sunshine Pack & Ship brands. Formerly known as Postal Annex+, Inc, Annex Brands is headquartered in San Diego, California. Its brands offer shipping and business services such as moving van, freight shipping, small parcel and overnight document delivery services, private mailbox rental, notary service, high-speed copying in black & white and color, office supplies, web site/e-commerce services, faxing service, printing, stationery, rubber address stamps, key duplication, greeting cards and assorted gift items, all in a convenient, service-oriented environment. To find out more about the company, visit www.AnnexBrands.com.

Contact:

Steve Goble
Vice President of Marketing Communications
Annex Brands, Inc.
sgoble@annexbrands.com
619-563-4800