Marketing, sales and consumer behaviour – January 2025

Packaging markets
According to a recent report by Fortune Business Insights, the global market value for retail ready packaging is expected to rise from $88.74 billion in 2023 to $140.02 billion by 2032. You can find more information in the report summary. The FINAT Yearbook 2024 shows that the EU self-adhesive label market recovered significantly in 2024, with robust growth observed in the first half of the year. A survey on packaging by R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company shows that most US companies, facing inflation-related pressures, are prioritising packaging and label functionality along with product safety. They are also investing in sustainability initiatives and focusing on expanding their e-commerce operations.
A report (2.7 MB) by Plastics Recyclers Europe shows an overall slowdown in recyclers' activities in 2023. Leading causes are the higher production and energy costs for EU companies, the lack of demand for EU-recycled plastics, and the increase in imports of virgin and recycled plastic from outside the EU. According to a new European Bioplastics report (graphics, 252 kB), global bioplastics production is set to increase from around 2.47 million tonnes in 2024 to approximately 5.73 million tonnes in 2029. Packaging remains the largest market segment with 45% of the total market in 2024.
Aeternus (in Dutch) has published a financial analysis of the top 25 best performing Dutch packaging producers, wholesalers, printers and co-packers. You can receive the report after filling in your details (in Dutch).

Markets for packaging machinery and print
In a new analysis, Roland Berger explores the issues facing packaging and processing equipment players. With margins on machinery likely to stay flat at least for the foreseeable future, it is time for companies to look more closely at their service business. You will receive the report by e-mail after filling in your details. Preliminary figures from UCIMA (884 kB) show that Italian packaging machinery manufacturers will reach year-end revenues of €9.5 billion for 2024, a 3.5% increase compared to 2023.
According to Smithers, flexographic printing continues to be the most cost-effective solution for mid- to long-run printed output, and it is growing across most application segments. You can download an infographic after filling in your details.

Packaging and consumer behaviour
Companies commonly use standardised packaging to distribute their products in multiple countries. In a study (2.77 MB) published in the Journal of Retailing, researchers at the University of Hohenheim look at how this impacts consumers. They found that the presence of languages with which consumers are only weakly familiar results in less favourable product evaluations. A University of Szczecin study (502 kB) published in the European Research Studies Journal, indicates that packaging with non-standard shapes, carefully selected colour schemes, and well-designed graphic elements can significantly enhance consumer engagement. A Yonsei University study (2.54 MB) published in Applied Sciences, examines the relationship between cosmetic packaging colour and consumer attention by analysing changes in pupil size. The results revealed that pink packaging elicited significantly larger pupil sizes.
Consumers are increasingly considering the recyclability of packaging when making purchasing decisions, according to a recent survey (16.18 MB) commissioned by NOVA Chemicals. Researchers at the Dr. SNS Rajalakshmi College of Arts and Science found that while some consumers are willing to pay a premium for sustainable packaging, this is not always reflected in purchasing behaviour. The study (464 kB) is published in Library Progress International.
 

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