For all your retail bag needs

Retail bags

Buy crystal clear polypropylene display bags to make any product or retail display sparkle.

Try this extensive range of carrier bags for the best selection of the popular retail bag used by shoppers everywhere.

Retail bags are…

  • Any bags used within the retail sector, including...
  • Shopping bags, carrier bags, display bags, produce bags, packing bags and mailing bags
  • Available in a range of styles, shapes, sizes and thicknesses to suit the job in hand
  • Used to support every aspect of a retail business, from displaying products (display bags) to packing food or other items (packing bags) and allowing customers to collect produce (produce bags) to helping them carry their shopping home (carrier bags)
  • Usually made from polythene, although some retail bags are made from other materials
  • Often available in a biodegradable alternative to polythene (e.g. biodegradable carrier bags), thus helping to show your customers that you care about the environment
  • Also made from paper (e.g. brown or white paper bags, take away carriers, high end flexiloop shopping bags)

The term ‘retail bags’ is used to describe a wide variety of bags used within the retail sector to cover a range of tasks from storing to carrying products and making life easier for both the retailer and the consumer alike.

Retail bags actually included a number of other ranges of bags that have their own specific name - including but not limited to carrier bags, produce bags, packing bags, mailing bags and others - and are a standalone type of bag in their own right. They are grouped together under the broad term ‘retail bags’ as they are all used within the retail environment.

Results from recent searches on jiffy bags

Strong Grey Mailing Post Mail Postal Bags Poly Postage Self Seal All Sizes Cheap STAR SUPPLIES

Postal bags work optimal when the gauge and seal are matched to the load, because thin film that sees tidy on the reel can split once corners, folds and rough handling come into play. A superb self-seal strip gives a clean closure, nevertheless only if the adhesive grips properly and the flap lands flat without pollution from dust or print ink. Grey mailing sacks are often chosen because they conceal contents and retain secondary packing simple, yet the proper test is whether they survive sorting, stacking and the strange knock on the van floor. The proper bag saves time and cuts complaint rates.

Black Poly Mailers

Black poly mailers suit light, non-fragile consignments where speed and low pack weight matter above display. A self-seal flap retains packing lines moving because there is no need for tape, and the flexible plastic body takes up far less space than a carton in storage and transit. For garments, printed products, or soft products, the slim profile can improve pallet density and cut secondary packing waste. The drawback is small cushioning, so the contents must already be well protected or flat enough to travel securely. For plenty dispatch operations, that makes the bag a sensible selection rather than a grasp-all reply.

Grey Mailing Bags Strong Poly Postal Postage Post Mail Self Seal All Sizes Cheap Grey Mailing - £29.99

Mailing bags need to do above close up a package; they have to keep safe the contents from rough handling, wet weather, and careless stacking. A superb polythene suppliers bag gives enough strength without turning into a fat pack that wastes space in a dispatch tote or on a pallet. Seal quality matters as well, because a weak adhesive strip can open amid sorting or tear when a bag is pulled from a mixed consignment. Grey films are often chosen because they conceal contents better and see cleaner in transit. A well-specified bag retains packing lines moving and cuts avoidable claims.

Bubble mailing bags work well when a package requirements basic protection without the additional weight of a carton or null occupy. The bubble lining cushions small knocks, which assists prevent scuffed surfaces and split corners as items transport through sorting, stacking and van loading. The outer film also retains out dust and light moisture, so the contents arrive in cleaner condition. Because the bags lie flat before use, they take up small storage space and make select-face handling simpler than bulkier pack formats. That makes them a sound option for fast-moving dispatch areas where space and speed both matter.

Bubble Mailers Coupons, Promo Codes & Deals - June 2020

Bubble mailers work optimal when the bag and the cushioning are matched to the product, because the outer film does one job and the air bubble lining does another. The shell retains out dirt and light moisture, while the bubble layer cuts down rubbing and minour knocks amid sorting and delivery. If the gauge is also light, the seam can split or the face can scuff; if it is also heavy, postage and handling become wasteful. Choosing the proper size also matters, since a loose fit lets stock transport around and a tight fit can strain the closure. A sensible specification protects products without adding packaging that serves no proper purpose.

Bubble Lined Mailing Bags

Bubble lined mailing bags are a practical selection when light products need a bit of cushioning without adding much weight or storage bulk. The bubble layer gives a flexible buffer against scuffing and small knocks, which matters when items are packed on fast-moving lines or dropped into royal mail-style bags and cartons with small additional dunnage. They also save time because the outer face is already a prepared-manufactured mailer, so there is no need for separate wrapping and outer packing. Choosing the proper gauge and seal style assists avoid split seams and poor closure, and that retains dispatch moving cleanly.

Featherpost mailing bags earn their place when tight mailing sizing matters above showy presentation. A mailer that sits neatly within the proper band can save a consignment from being pushed into a dearer type because of a few millimetres of additional loft or an awkward corner on the pack. That makes gauge, seal quality and overall profile only as necessary as the contents. On a packing bench, the optimal result comes from enough cushioning to keep safe edges and corners without adding dead space that wastes carton occupy or slows down dispatch. The practical earn is a bag that transports cleanly through mailing bands and retains cost creep below control.

Jiffy mailers keep safe contents by attaching a lightweight outer envelope with a bubble cushion that absorbs knocks in transit. That simple structure suits paperwork, small parts, samples and other items that would be bent or scuffed in a plain envelope, yet it retains weight and postage down better than a box. The scored flap assists the seal proceed down cleanly, while the tear tab makes opening easier at the other stop, which matters when parcels are being processed fast. Standard sizes from small to big also make picking and packing more tidy. A sensible match between item and mailer cuts damage and avoids wasteful oversising.

Jiffy mailing bags now have to do far above simply cushion a package, because the bag stock must dash cleanly on converting kit, survive repeated handling and still see tidy when it reaches the client. If the polythene suppliers gauge wanders or the padding is uneven, seal quality suffers and the bag can snag amid filling, which slows dispatch and causes damage in transit. Print also has to sit properly on the surface, since poor ink anchorage or scuffing makes branded mailers see tired long before they are opened. The optimal results come when substrate control, film tension and puncture resistance are balanced rather than chased one at a time, and that normally gives a more proper pack on the line and in the van.

Padded Mailing Bags

Padded mailing bags work optimal when the outer film and the cushioning layer are matched to the proper load, not only to a list of products description. A thin, soft item may only need a light mailer, nevertheless a sharp-edged carton or awkward bundle can cut through weak polythene suppliers and cause split seams, crushed corners or scuffed contents before the consignment even reaches sortation. Seal quality matters only as much as padding, because a bag that opens below pressure or rough handling creates returns and waste. The proper specification retains weight low without leaving the product exposed, so dispatch staff spend less time reworking failed packs and more time moving clean, stable parcels out the door.

Retail bags and polythene

The vast majority of retail bags are made from polyethylene, more widely known as polythene, in a range of thicknesses to suit the task in hand. The thickness of the polythene - also known as the gauge or density - varies from very thin, as with thin counter bags - at just 9 microns thick - to thick, as with premium quality carrier bags such as clip-close carrier bags - at 75 microns (300 gauge) thick.

Not all retail bags are made from polyethylene, or polythene, however. Some retail bags, like takeaway bags for example, are made from paper, while others, like gift bags, are made from cardboard.

But as this website is all about retail bags and the most common form as retail bags are polythene bags, this website will be focussing on polythene bags in these pages.

Carrier bags - the number one retail bag

By far and away the most popular form of retail bag, carrier bags are employed by retailers in every corner of the globe, making them the big daddy of the retail trade as far as polythene bags are concerned.

Carrier bags are designed to allow the customer to carry purchased products from the shop to their homes or businesses in an ergonomic manner. The bags come with different types of handle styles to allow the customer to carry the bag. Many types of handle give the bag its name, with some of the popular styles including: vest carriers, patch handle carriers and patch handle carriers.

Other popular types of carrier bag, not named after their handle, include varigauge carriers - so named because the thickness, or gauge, of the polythene is twice as thick at the top of the bag as at the top - and premium carriers, popular in the top-end fashion outlets or department stores.

Whatever type of business you own, there is a carrier bag out there for you. Whether you need cheap and cheerful or reassuringly expensive, you can always find the carrier bag to get the job done, but you can also use them to send a message to your customers about your business too.

Other popular types of retail bag

Whilst carrier bags are comfortably the most commonly used bag by the retail sector, there are many other forms of bag that perform an important role for retail businesses everywhere. These include:

Produce bags - Used by food retailers from mega-size supermarkets to small local butchers, thin light produce bags are an essential item for any food retailer. Available either on the roll or served loose from a packet, food bags can be used both from behind the counter - e.g. a butcher bagging up a pound of mince - or at front of house, as with the tear-off bags used in supermarkets to collect loose fruit.

Display bags - Employed by retailers who want to display their products in the best possible light, crystal clear display bags make products sparkle. Manufactured from high clarity polypropylene - similar to cellophane but clearer, thicker, stronger and cheaper - these bags are used for presenting a range of products, including greetings cards, magazines and sweets. Also available in sleeve form, as used with flowers and CDs to make them shine.

Mailing or postage bags - These polythene mailers, complete with integral sealing strip, are the perfect way to deliver products to your customers. Lightweight and waterproof, poly mailers are a great alternative to traditional envelopes. They are available in a range of styles and in plain or coloured polythene. You can also get your mailing bags printed with your very own company logo, branding or slogan, so that they really stand out from the crowd and make your business the most memorable one in any batch of mail.

Gift bags - The most popular retail bag that isn’t made of polythene, gift bags are a great way to present a gift to friends, loved ones or colleagues without having to even wrap it! No need to wrapping paper, scissors, cellotape or minutes of your life wasted trying to make a gift look nice. Just place your present in you shiny gift bag - complete with a smart cord handle and your gift will look just fantastic. Available in standard shape for regular everyday presents like books, CDs or jewellery, or in bottle gift bags - the perfect way to present any bottled gift from champagne to a fine Scotch whiskey.

Where to buy retail bags

Retail bag manufacturers and suppliers include:

Paper Bags
The website that caters for all of your paper bag needs, Paper Bags is the ideal online destination for anyone buying paper take away carriers, shopping bags or other paper bags. Also a very useful resource on biodegradable packaging.
www.paperbags.co

Display Bags
If you want to buy or find out more information on high clarity polypropylene display bags, then this is the website for you. A firm favourite with retailers who wants to make their products sparkle!
www.displaybags.org.uk

Plastic Food Bags
A fantastic website for anyone looking to buy plastic food bags or produce bags at discount prices. Contains tonnes of information and details of where to buy polythene food bags - the best way to keep your food fresh and help customers handle fresh food from the shelf.
www.discountfoodbags.co.uk

Polythene Bags
A website dedicated to polythene bags used in the retail sector, including food bags, display bags, carrier bags, printed carrier bags and mailing bags. If you work in the UK's retail sector and need polythene bags, this is the website for you!
www.ukpolythenebags.co.uk

Gift Bags
A useful source of information on gift bags and retail display bags - used to enhance product displays for everything from greetings cards to flowers and clothes to sweets. Featuring a handy display bag size guide, news on display bags and eco-friendly alternatives.
www.giftbagsdirect.co.uk

Retail Bags
The home of retail bags and shopping bags online. If you're looking for bags to your shop or retail outlet, from plain or printed carrier bags to display bags, then take a look at this very handy website.
www.retailbags.co.uk

Kraft Bags
Kraft Bags is a website specialising in kraft bags and other paper bags - a fantastic environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional polythene shopping bags.
www.kraftbags.org

Carrier Bags
Work in the retail sector? Looking for carrier bags or other retail bags for your shop? This website has it covered, with tonnes of information and details of where to buy a range of carrier bags and other retail bags, including food bags and glossy display bags.
www.retailbags.org

Why jiffy bags has become a popular search term

bag manufacturers

Postal bags need the proper gauge and seal quality if consignments are to arrive clean, dry, and still looking presentable when they reach the client. Thin film can save space and reduce material use, nevertheless it requirements proper puncture resistance or it will split on corners, labels, and rough handling in transit. Stronger polythene suppliers mailing bags give better protection for soft products, while lighter grades suit flatter items and assist retain carriage weight down. The proper selection is not only cost per thousand, nevertheless how well the bag grasps up through packing, sorting, and delivery. A bag that fails below load creates more waste and more complaints than it saves in film.

Poly Mailers defined and your Options

Poly mailers need a solvent-based ink because normal water-based ink does not sit properly on the plastic surface. The film used for these mailers has very small absorbency, so inkjet droplets can bead, smear, or dry badly if the gross ink is chosen. That creates poor address lines, barcodes that will not scan cleanly, and branding that can see patchy before the package even leaves dispatch. A solvent ink bites into the surface better and leaves a print that can cope with handling, damp weather, and transit abrasion. Getting the ink proper avoids reprints and wasted stock.

Mailing Bags

Mailing bags manufactured from GreenPE offer a better material selection when a lightweight dispatch pack still has to stand up to handling. A bag that is Carbon Dioxide negative and manufactured from renewable feedstock gives converters and emblem owners a clearer sustainability story without moving away from the familiar polythene suppliers format. The big advantage is that the bag can stay simple, dash well on packing lines and still be collected in normal recycling streams where uniform systems exist. That makes specification easier for secondary packing and e-commerce work, because the pack does not need thick board or additional components to defend its environmental profile.

Bubble mailing bags suit light, firm products because they keep safe against the rough treatment that often happens after an item leaves the bench. The film skin retains out moisture and dirt, while the bubble layer softens knocks from chutes, cages, van floors, and fast manual handling. That combination can save time at packing stations also, since small products do not need loose occupy or a second box only to stop them moving about. The drawback is that protection relies on the proper gauge and a sound seal, as thin film or a badly closed flap can fail at the weakest point. A superb bag speeds despatch without inviting damage claims later.

Kraft Bubble Mailers

Kraft bubble mailers are a practical selection when lightweight protection matters above rigid outer packaging. The kraft face gives a tidy, mail-prepared see, while the bubble lining assists cushion contents against knocks, scuffing, and the rough treatment that often happens in sorting and transit. A size like 9.5" x 14.5" suits flat products that need a small more room without moving around also much inside the pack. Good results rely on sealing quality and the proper occupy level, because an overstuffed mailer can split at the seams. Used properly, this format cuts out additional secondary packing and retains despatch work straightforward.

Jiffy Lite Bubble Lined Mailing Bags 215 X 280mm 100 Pack

Bubble lined mailing bags give light parcels a tougher outer skin without adding much weight to the consignment. The paper face handles scuffing better than thin film, while the air layer takes the sting out of knocks, sliding and minour stacking pressure in transit. That matters for items with corners, edges or parts that can scratch in a carton, because a plain envelope often gives up also easily. The peel-and-seal strip also speeds packing on a busy bench, so the closure is more consistent than hand-taping. For short runs and mail-order dispatch, that mix of protection and speed is easy to justify.

Details about   Featherpost Mailing Bags Bubble Lined White - CLEARANCE PRICES - ALL SIZES

Featherpost mailing bags earn their place when light consignments need protection without adding much dead weight. The bubble lining cushions knocks, nevertheless the outer polythene suppliers does the harder job on the bench and in transit, resisting scuffs, corner splits and the rough treatment that comes with fast-moving picking. A sensible gauge matters because thin film can fail at the seal line when cartons are loaded hurriedly or dragged across conveyour rollers. White stock also has a proper working advantage: labels stand out clearly, hand labels are easier to read, and any tampering is easier to spot. That combination retains secondary packing tidy and reduces avoidable rework.

Jiffy mailers are popular because they keep safe mixed products without adding much packing time or weight. The padded structure assists absorb knocks that would otherwise label cartons, dent smaller items, or leave corners battered in transit, and that matters when consignment handling is rough or parcels pass through several hubs. The material also sits well on the packing bench, since it closes fast and does not need the same level of null occupy as a plain sleeve or carton. That makes secondary packing faster and retains dispatch lines moving when order volumes rise, which is why plenty despatch rooms retain them close to the select face.

Jiffy mailing bags work optimal when the film behaves consistently on the packing bench, because small changes in gauge, seal strength or slip can slow the all despatch shift. A bag that opens cleanly, takes a tidy occupy and seals without wrinkling saves time at select-face and reduces the need for additional secondary packing. That matters when items have awkward corners or rough edges, since weak seams and poor film tension lead to split flaps, rework and damaged returns. In practice, a mailer that runs well through production retains labour steadier and assists the line retain pace without constant stoppages.

Padded mailing bags have become a warehouse control issue as much as a packing format, because their shape and cushioning can conceal unique weight, stiffness or edge profile. That makes them fast to dash through fulfilment lines nevertheless harder to judge by hand when a consignment feels alternative from the norm. The optimal operatours reply with tighter gauge control, seal checks and transparent stock segregation so a normal mailer does not acquire mixed with something that behaves differently below compression or sorting. When the liner film, adhesive laydown or cushioning layer is inconsistent, the pack can seem gross even before it is opened. Good specification reduces that uncertainty and retains normal mail traffic moving without needless stops.

Research & Resources

For plenty more information on the broad range of retail bags available, including how they are manufactured and how they benefit the retail sector, please visit:

PlasticBags.uk.com: Popular polythene packaging directory listing a large selection of specialist retail bags websites and allowing retailers to product listings for free.

Goldstork: This 'best-of-the-web' free directory features a range of specialist websites on display bags and other retail bags, plus hand-picked information and carefully selected features.

PackagingKnowledge: The UK's premier plastic packaging knowledge website features loads of in-depth articles and detailed information on a huge range of retail bags, including carrier bags, mailing bags and display bags.

Printed carrier bags - the ultimate retail bag

If carrier bags are the number one retail bag, then printed carrier bags take them one step further and make them kings of the retail bag world.

The choice of carrier bags you choose for your retail outlet can say a lot about your business, even when you’re using off-the-shelf plain carriers. But if you take that carrier and the print your very own personalised message or design on the side of the bag, then you’ve got the ultimate way to send a message about your business.

Create your very own custom-made design, complete with company logo, advertising slogan or bespoke design - including seasonal designs like those employed during sales or at Christmas - and you can get just the message you want out there not just to your own customers picking up the bags, but to every other potential customer that sees them walking around with your professional, personalised, printed carrier bag.

Turn your customers into walking adverts for your retail outlet with your very own printed carrier bag. The difference between having a forgettable bag and an instantly memorable one could be the difference between your shop or store making it in the cut-throat world of retail.

Biodegradable retail bags

A number retail bags manufactured from traditional polythene - as listed elsewhere on this page - are also available made from biodegradable materials so that, when they need to be disposed of, they don’t contribute to landfill. The biodegradable material from which these bags are made will degrade 100% on prolonged contact with compost or soil, meaning that you make less of an impact on the environment.

What’s more, courtesy of a small green logo placed on all of the bags, your customers will know that you care about the environment too.

The following retail bags are available in biodegradable alternatives: biodegradable carrier bags, biodegradable mailing bags, biodegradable clear bags (for presenting your products) and eco-friendly bin liners (for keeping your shop clean).