Gift Boxes for Retail Stores: What to Stock and How Much
A gift shop can cover most purchases with three folding gift box sizes, small, medium and large, in one or two colours. Start with 20–40 boxes of each size, watch which one runs out first, and reorder at least two months before a big gifting date.
Which gift box sizes should a retail store stock?
Three sizes handle nearly everything that crosses the counter. If you only stock two, drop the large.
| Size | Example box | Outside size | Typical purchase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Small Ribbon Magnetic Folding Gift Box | 9.4 × 7.1 × 3.1 in | Jewellery, candles, small accessories |
| Medium | Medium Magnetic Folding Gift Box | 12.2 × 7.9 × 3.9 in | Scarves, notebooks, books |
| Large | Large Magnetic Folding Gift Box | 13.8 × 9.1 × 3.9 in | Apparel, gift sets |
Jewellery stores should add ring and necklace boxes on top of these.
Should you sell the box or include it?
Both work. It depends on the purchase.
- Sell it as an add-on. Keep one assembled box at the counter with a price card. Customers buy what they can see.
- Include it with larger purchases. A branded box makes a bigger gift feel worth the money.
- Add your store name. Selected styles can carry your logo in foil or full-colour UV.
How much storage do the boxes need?
Very little. Folding gift boxes ship flat, so 100 boxes fit in a drawer behind the till. Each one sets up in seconds when a customer asks.
How many gift boxes should a store order?
Count your gift purchases in a typical month. Multiply by the number of months until your next order arrives. Then add a holiday buffer.
| Store | Gift purchases per month | Starting order |
|---|---|---|
| Small boutique | Up to 30 | 20 small, 20 medium |
| Busy gift shop | 30–100 | 40 each of small, medium and large |
| Jewellery store | Mostly jewellery | Jewellery boxes by style, plus 20 small folding boxes for sets |
The minimum is 20 boxes per size and colour, so each extra colour adds at least 20 boxes to the order.
How long does a restock take to arrive?
Plain boxes dispatch from China in 1–3 business days. Expedited Sea Freight to the U.S. then takes 20–30 business days, and Sea Freight takes 30–40 business days. Duties are included at checkout.
When to reorder for the holidays
| Gifting date | Order by |
|---|---|
| Valentine's Day | Early December |
| Mother's Day | Early March |
| Christmas | Mid-October |
These dates cover dispatch and sea freight to the U.S. with a small buffer. For more detail on Christmas, see when to order Christmas gift boxes.
Retail gift box FAQ
Can I mix sizes and colours in one order?
Yes. Each size and colour needs at least 20 boxes.
Can I return boxes that don't sell?
Unprinted ready-stock boxes may be returned within 14 days of delivery if they're unused and unassembled, with written authorization. Printed boxes are final sale. See the return policy.
Which colours sell best?
White and black suit almost any product. Add one seasonal colour, such as red for Christmas or pink for Valentine's Day.
Which size runs out first?
That depends on what you sell, which is why the starting order is even across sizes. Note which size empties first and weight your next order toward it.
Next step
Start with the small and medium boxes, 20 or more of each per colour. Want to check the size at your counter first? Order a sample.
Related reading: the ribbon magnetic gift box size guide. Or see all retail gift boxes.
