2025 will be a year defined by the continuing consumer preference for more functional, convenient, and circular products. And this will have a big impact on packaging. Here, we’ll unpack what these key trends mean for your business. 

The Conscious Consumer 2.0 – Focused on ‘EcoLogical’ Mindsets, Wellness, and Wallets 

We’ve broken down what the conscious consumer trend means for beverage brands in detail before. But the impact of this dynamic trend is not limited to beverage brands – it affects nearly every industry. 

Economic uncertainty means consumers are becoming more discerning about where they spend their money – and they’re increasingly choosing to support brands that make truthful environmental claims. 

Just as the consumers of 2025 care about the health of the planet, they also care about their personal health. Many manufacturers are incorporating clear labeling to position products as more nutritious as a point of difference. 

However, with consumers facing inflation, high average debt, and a cooling labor market, they expect brands to meet these demands affordably. And they’re more willing than ever to switch to private label alternatives that they perceive as being of equal quality for a lower price. 

Convenience is King 

Packaging offers a clear and concise method of communicating directly with consumers. Brands that leverage this will see their messaging resonate and incorporating elements such as QR codes to provide quick and easy access to nutrition information for example, can significantly enhance the consumer experience at a time when the average shopper is faced with an overwhelming number of options on-shelf. 

The growth of e-commerce also presents new options for consumers. LEK Consulting found that e-commerce grocery sales in the U.S. more than doubled during the pandemic, and it’s predicted that 20.5 percent, or $263 billion, of retail grocery sales, will be through online channels by 2026, with convenient innovations like click-and-collect being key to this growth.  

Brands can take advantage of this trend with packaging that complements this demand for greater convenience, such as beverage multipacks that are easy to carry, store, and dispense. 

Experiential Technology 

In addition to simplifying the consumer experience, brands can also choose to enhance it. Technologies like QR codes and virtual reality can be leveraged to deliver personalized, interactive smart packaging experiences that immerse, engage, and inspire consumers. This not only captures attention but can also convey the brand’s values and product benefits more effectively – and brands that leverage this are seeing boosted sales, ROI, and consumer loyalty. 

Technology is also transforming the packaging design process, being used to create next-generation packaging designs informed by in-depth consumer data. This data can also be used to provide personalized product recommendations to bolster customer engagement. 

Brands and retailers face a retail landscape transformed by evolving consumer demands. By taking advantage of packaging innovations designed to deliver the sustainability, convenience, and functionality that consumers expect, they can cater to these diverse preferences, ultimately driving brand loyalty and satisfaction. 

At Graphic Packaging, we have a long and distinguished history of adapting to market and consumer trends. Our innovative paperboard packaging solutions are designed to strike a perfect balance between delivering for today and innovating for tomorrow.