Packaging

PET bottles are the leading pack type in the UK soft drinks packaging market due to their durability and affordability, with PET bottles also expected to continue being the most widely used packaging format over the forecast period. PET bottles are…

Fresh coffee beans was one of the best performers among the various hot drinks categories in 2023, benefiting from premiumisation. In particular, it has been benefiting from single-origin and speciality coffee, as consumers become more concerned…

The UK’s packaging industry is currently influenced by two prominent trends. Firstly, the widespread use of flexible plastic packaging, especially in areas like cheese packaging, which is being driven by its cost-effectiveness, convenience and…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries in Q4 2023 and 2024. Global inflation is moderating, although divergence remains among the key economies. Higher volatility in the energy markets and disruption of…

Given the importance of breakfast to UK consumers and the increased need for convenience, as they resumed their normal work regimes in 2022, demand for sweet spreads persisted. However, erratic food harvests on account of inclement weather and supply…

Although sauces, dips and condiments are appreciated for the convenience they add to home cooking, volume sales in the category were flat in 2022 due to high price increases. Supply chain disruptions due to the Russia-Ukraine war and global economic…

In 2022, with COVID-19 restrictions being lifted in the UK, this resulted in a reduced number of home cooking occasions, which constrained the growth of processed meat and seafood products. Furthermore, inflation and cost-of-living pressures saw…

While unit volume sales of processed fruit and vegetables packaging were falling again in 2022, it was a slower decline than that experienced in the previous year. In 2020, the category saw a sales boom due to the restrictions on mobility put into…

Plant-based dairy packaging continued to see robust unit volume sales growth in 2022 due to strengthening health and environmental consciousness among UK consumers. Globally, there is increasing awareness of the environmental impact of animal…

In 2022, UK consumers were faced with rising food prices as well as shrinking disposable incomes due to global economic uncertainties and supply chain disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine war. However, despite the price increases in the category,…

Dairy packaging saw a clear spike in demand in its unit volumes in 2020 when the COVID-19 restrictions meant consumers were spending a lot more time at home than usual, with foodservice closures also meaning more at-home meal preparation. Both of…

High inflation rates and the cost-of-living crisis in the UK in 2022 were adversely impacting volume sales of confectionery. Both chocolate and sugar confectionery products are generally considered discretionary expenses, which UK consumers sought to…

All COVID-19-related travel and mobility restrictions were lifted in the UK in 2022, which meant many parents returning to their regular, busy working lives. This left them with less time to feed their babies and saw them increasingly appreciate the…

Total alcoholic drinks packaging recorded healthy growth in 2020, despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While foodservice unit volumes plummeted, due to cafés, pubs and restaurants all being closed for extended periods in 2020,…

In the upcoming years, consumers and businesses face an array of challenges, with income inequality, mass migration and rising uncertainty about another crisis being among the major ones. Nevertheless, within this lie untapped opportunities. This…

In 2022, folding cartons took over from HDPE bottles as the main pack type in unit volume terms in UK beauty and personal packaging. This can be attributed to the fact that, in addition to being lightweight and easy to carry, folding cartons also…

The HDPE bottle continued to be the most-used pack type in the UK’s home care market in 2022. This was because HDPE bottles have a versatile range of application across the home care industry, serving as an ideal packaging material for various…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries. In 2023, global inflation is expected to ease from its peak in 2022, but remaining significantly above-trend. Geopolitical risks and uncertainty in the energy market are…

This report examines e-commerce usage and revenue share from e-commerce in different industries and countries. The e-commerce index helps to better understand which industries are leading and identify key success factors. The briefing also analysis…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries. Global inflation is reaching a peak, although geopolitical risks and uncertainty in the energy market remain key risks. The impact varies between countries, with…