As the Internet continues to grow, many companies are either beginning as online only ventures, some are adding their merchandise online or some are closing their brick and mortar locations all together to become online store fronts.

As an online store, your supplies will differ from a brick and mortar location. First of all, you will not have to purchase things like displays or counters. But there are some supplies you will need to always keep stocked.

Because all online transactions end up being shipped, you need to ensure you have supplies that will keep your shipping costs low while protecting your merchandise. Here are the items necessary for putting a package together.

• Boxes: Keep a variety of box sizes on hand so that you can ship orders in the smallest box without having to ship orders in multiple boxes. Larger orders should go in a bigger box to save on supply and shipping costs.
• Bubble Shipping Bags: For small items or easily folded items, a bubble shipping bag is ideal because they cushion your merchandise and take up very little space.
• Packaging Products: Have both bubble wrap and stretch film in stock in order to protect valuables and fill dead space. Plus, plastic products are more environmentally friendly than their Styrofoam counterparts.
• Kraft Paper: In order to reuse boxes, use Kraft paper to rewrap boxes with writing on them for shipping.
• Carton Sealing Products: Invest in a carton sealing kit that comes with a carton sealing tape gun and multiple roles of clear packing tape.

But shipping products aren’t the only things you will need in order for your new retail operation to be successful. Don’t forget organizational supplies such as shelving, tagging products, clothing racks and steamers.

Any other essential items that you needed when you started your online retail operation?