How has the pandemic impacted packaging?

How has the pandemic impacted packaging?

A year into the Covid-19 crisis, consumer habits have changed considerably. This has had a significant impact on industries across the board, and packaging is no exception. Let’s take a look at two ways in which consumer behaviour is changing packaging:

Consumers are understandably paying more attention to their health and to hygiene in general. As a result, sales of individually-wrapped food items, such as confectionery, have increased. According to a study by Candy USA, 41% of consumers bought more packs of individually-wrapped candy in 2021. While the trend is raising concerns about packaging waste, companies can reduce their environmental impact by opting for wrappers that are based on recyclable monomaterials.

At the same time, e-commerce sales have increased considerably over the past year due to consumers being unable - or less willing - to visit brick-and-mortar stores. Interesting shifts are taking place, with e-commerce companies partnering with local stores in order to deliver products directly to consumers’ homes. In consequence, packaging designers are adapting products to stand out on web pages and social media rather than in-store shelves - a trend that shows every sign of lasting beyond the Covid era.

The AR Metallizing creative team can help you create eye-catching packaging that’s based on 100% recyclable materials. To find out more, get in touch