RETEA CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

Since 2019, Retea has been on a mission to reduce single-use plastic waste caused by the bubble tea industry one reusable cup at a time. Since then, they’ve expanded their offerings to include other products for the DIY bubble tea enthusiast.

About Retea

Retea started as a personal mission for Toby. As a bubble tea lover, she saw the amount of waste that the industry produces and sought to reduce the amount of waste she was contributing. Her search for sustainable alternatives showed a lack of suitable options for bubble tea, leading to the creation of the Retea!

Eventually, Retea pivoted towards e-commerce to reach a wider audience.

Amidst the pandemic, Toby listened to customer feedback asking for at-home bubble tea options. This led to the creation of their DIY bubble tea kits! Since then, ReTea has also expanded to catering, offering a live bubble tea bar for events.

The Packaging Process

As Toby began expanding her inventory to include tea and other bubble tea flavours, she saw an increase in customers bundling the options together. She curated two sets that customers could purchase: The Bubble Tea Kit and the Tearista Gift Set. At first, these sets were being placed in corrugated boxes to protect their contents. However, Toby found this option bulky, especially if customers had multiple items in their order besides the sets.

She knew that this meant she needed to make a packaging switch. After an attempt to work directly with suppliers, Toby turned to LeKAC! She first heard of us through our Marketing Specialist Taylor (hi, that’s me!) and decided to entrust us with the task. To combat the issue of bulk, we knew that our custom folding cartons were the right option for the job! These boxes are lightweight and come in a wide variety of structures and finishes, so the possibilities were endless! In addition to wanting to reduce bulk, Toby was looking for something shelf-ready that she could display at events or markets!

When it came to the design, Toby had a clear vision for the overall aesthetic of her packaging. She sent us a Pinterest board full of inspiration and a detailed document outlining what she wanted to put on each of the box’s sides. As our in-house graphic designer began executing her requests, Toby continued to fine tune the design until it was the perfect blend of professional and cute with an emphasis on sustainability.

What’s Next for Retea?

So what’s next for Retea? Overall, Toby wants to grow the business! This means more flavours, more products and accessories, and maybe even adding members to the team. Currently, ReTea is a one-woman operation; Toby handles everything from logistics and fulfillment to marketing and customer service. Toby also revealed that she wants to open a physical space to use as a warehouse and office space!

When we asked what her favourite part of the process was, Toby revealed that it was the delivery of her custom packaging. Though the entire process overall was smooth and enjoyable, being able to hold her packaging got her the most excited. Interested in getting started on your custom packaging journey? Contact us today to find out how we can help!

Are you a bubble tea lover? Be sure to check out Retea’s website for eco-friendly bubble tea accessories and all your DIY bubble tea needs!

RETEA INC.

WWW.RETEACUPS.COM