The leaders of the pack

What’s popular within packaging?

To understand what food and beverage packaging formats are most popular among consumers, we first need to look at the factors and trends that have the most impact on what consumers want.

Sustainability continues to rank as a major influencer when it comes to packaging, with consumers’ top concerns in this category related to hygiene, food safety and shelf life. Other focus areas include ease of use, durability, information included on the label, environmental impact, appearance, and recyclability.

The shape of packaging

When you consider all the factors involved in the consumer decision making process, what does that mean in terms of the type of packaging we’re seeing today? Paper and paperboard packaging, admired for being versatile, strong and sustainable, remains a popular choice for dry foods, while liquid paperboard is growing in popularity for shelf-stable aseptic products.

In addition, the food and beverage industry is also experiencing an ongoing rise in demand for spouted pouches, with the benefits they offer including portability, customization, a lower environmental footprint, and cost efficiency.

What the industry is serving up

Aseptic carton packs and spouted pouches are popular formats for both manufacturers and consumers. But what are manufacturers doing to differentiate their offerings, and what trends are we seeing emerge? On an aesthetic level, bright colors and eye-catching fonts are becoming more popular. At the same time, consumers are on the lookout for packaging that is simple and minimal; characteristics they tend to associate with sustainability and transparency.