The Hidden Cost Eating Into Retailers’ Bottom Line… Tampering
The Foodservice and Grocery Delivery Boom’s Untold Risk
From hot meals to fresh groceries, delivery has never been more convenient for customers - but with it comes a hidden threat to businesses… tampering.
Issues such as…
Missing items
Spilt or damaged goods
Cross-contamination
Packaging that looks insecure or has clearly been opened
...can lead to frustrated customers and rising costs.
Restaurants, takeaways and grocery retailers receive many customer complaints around the these issues, and they can develop into a huge financial impact as well as operational headaches and - worst of all - damage to brand reputation.
Let’s break down what every food delivery business needs to understand about the real cost of unsealed or poorly packaged deliveries — and what to do to protect against them.
What’s the Real Cost of Tampering?
Tampering is not as rare as you’d think - but even a small number of incidents can lead to escalating costs which hit businesses in three critical areas:
Financial Losses That Add Up
For every refund, replacement, or compensated delivery, profit margins shrink. “Quick fixes” like extra adhesive strips, labels and staples are used…. but these only add to costs without addressing the core issue. They also take up more precious time in the packing process.Damage to Your Reputation
Your customers interact with brands online. They likely interact with their social group using the same device they used to order with. This means a single complaint can easily turn into a viral post - making potential customers question retailers. Damage to reputation is expensive - far costlier than prevention.Operational Disruption
Handling complaints, investigating incidents, and retraining staff on packaging procedures all consume valuable resources. The more you grow, the more the issues will grow - especially if using a third party delivery service.
A Sealed Bag = A Safer, Stronger Brand
The most effective way to reduce these risks? Use a delivery bag that’s secure, sealed, and ideally tamper-evident.
Whether it’s a hot meal or a chilled grocery order, a properly sealed bag sends a clear message: this order hasn’t been touched since it left the retailer’s premises.
That’s why more delivery-focused businesses are adopting solutions like tamper-evident paper bags.
Tamper-Evident bags make complete business sense.
They don’t just stop tampering; they actively protect businesses from hidden costs. Grocery and foodservice retailers switch to tamper-evident bags because they get:
Fewer refund requests
Reduced customer complaints
Increased confidence in their brand
More importantly, they send a clear message: “We care about our customers, our planet, and our reputation.”
One of the most effective options on the market is our SealSafe™ bag: a fully recyclable paper bag with built-in tamper-evidence. Once it’s sealed, it can’t be reopened without clear signs — giving customers confidence and peace of mind.
Don’t Let Hidden Costs Sneak Up On You
The costs of tampering aren’t always obvious - but they’re there, eating away at profits and brand reputation.
A proper solution ‘Seals’ away the risks, builds customer loyalty, and reduces environmental impact. If you’re a foodservice or grocery retailer - can you afford not to?