I have a free (beta) shipping box calculator for you to try out. See instantly how many shipping boxes you need, their size and what products will fit inside the boxes you already have. No more putting them in and taking them out to work out what goes where. It also accepts void fill dimensions, making it easy to enter your box sizes and minimum protection: Try it out and let me know what you think in the comments: https://bakeandbag.com/shipping-box-calculator/

If you're pushing for autumn and Hallowe'en sales, these are the top flavours according to British Baker for 2026 autumnal shoppers: https://bakeryinfo.co.uk/ingredients/top-bakery-flavours-for-autumn-and-winter-2026-revealed/724295.article

The big UK supermarkets have started releasing their Christmas food lines. They don't feature their packaging much (which to my mind makes it harder to find them in the aisles), but it provides an insight into the styling, colour schemes, flavours and themes you can mimic for 2026. Tesco: https://bakeryinfo.co.uk/finished-goods/red-velvet-yule-logs-and-jewelled-mince-pies-tesco-reveals-christmas-bakery-line-up-for-2026/724038.article Morrisons: https://bakeryinfo.co.uk/finished-goods/gingerbread-doughnuts-and-sticky-toffee-trifle-morrisons-unwraps-christmas-bakery-2026/723805.article Asda: https://corporate.asda.com/newsroom/2026/10/09/asda-elevates-christmas-classics-with-its-2026-festive-range Sainsbury's: https://corporate.sainsburys.co.uk/media/dbfjj2qy/sainsburys-christmas-food-drink-lookbook-2026.pdf Waitrose: https://bakeryinfo.co.uk/finished-goods/lobster-vol-au-vents-and-pistachio-mince-pies-waitrose-reveals-christmas-2026-bakery-line-up/724245.article

The annual e-commerce checklists are out again. Pinterest is the first to reveal theirs, but if you see any, add them in the comments and I'll update the list here: https://business.pinterest.com/en-GB/pdf/pinterest-smb-holiday-checklist/

These didn't make it into this weeks newsletter, but if you're packaging products in screw cap bottles or looking for alternatives to tear strips, these could be for you. https://www.blueoceanclosures.com/launch-of-paper-plug-a-new-opening-concept/