Paper that is brown. Totes made of plastic. Those shiny laminated numbers with handles made of rope. You can find merchandise bags everywhere, but you probably don’t notice them until you run out or have to deal with a squeaky handle in front of a line of angry buyers. You’d never guess that something so easy could make the difference between a good shopping memory and cursing under your breath as your new shirt falls out onto the sidewalk.

Have you ever been in a store and had to hold on to a candle, a cup, and some socks because the clerk said, “Sorry, we’re out of bags”? Not pleasant. It’s not simply about carrying things in the correct bag. It’s the last handshake between the store and the customer, a remembrance that can be held in the hand or thrown over the shoulder. Some individuals keep nice designer shop bags for a long time, hiding them in cabinets and giving them out at birthdays. Some people use the thin plastic bag from the bodega to carry their lunch for three weeks straight. These luggage travel around no matter what.

Different kinds of goods bags are what keep them alive. There are a lot of choices, from the simple poly bag to the fancy Euro tote with satin ribbon handles. Have you ever wondered why that drugstore keeps utilizing those crinkly white bags? Price. They break down in the environment, are cheap, and, to be honest, they work. But if you walk inside a boutique, you’ll often discover bags that are just as fancy as the things inside. The bag is an ambassador going out into the big, wild world and advertising long after the sale is over.

You might not think it, but material is important. To many customers, paper screams “eco-friendly,” whereas thick plastic pleads, “please use me again.” Fashionistas might give purchasing tips based only on the quality of the bag. Big handles, strong bottoms, and fun prints all make a “blah” sack into a conversation starter that’s ready to go. For some businesses, these little things keep customers coming back in ways that slick marketing can’t.

Bags that are made just for you have also become very popular. Think of birthdays, pop-up events, or those little craft stores that do everything with a wink and a smile. Custom printing isn’t simply for looks. It’s a sneaky approach to get people to know who you are. Do you remember when you left a charming bakery with a bright pink bag and three individuals stopped you to ask where you’d been? The bag did half of the work.

Then there’s the part about being good for the environment. Bags that can be composted, recycled, or upcycled are better for the environment. If you don’t want a new bag, some stores will give you a little discount. It’s not only about being cheap; it’s also about the environment. People still like any cut in waste and mess, especially if it comes with a benefit of showing off their good morals to others.

When it comes to practicality, storage for these bags on both sides of the counter is more important than most people think. Retailers hide large shipments behind counters or under displays, where they can surprise customers when they least expect it. Kitchen drawers fill up with a random assortment of things that people expect to use again someday, but they forget about them until a junk drawer crisis happens.

You could think that merchandise bags are just an afterthought, but you shouldn’t overlook them. When someone gives you a well-made bag, take attention. You might understand why they had stayed for a short time. They are silent yet devoted friends in the item business.