Retail Ready Packaging Market

Retail Ready Packaging Market Size:

The global retail ready packaging market size reached USD 79.0 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 114.5 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.01% during 2025-2033. The significant expansion of the retail industry, supportive government initiatives and policies, growing demand for the e-commerce sector, and the expanding product application in the pharmaceutical sector represent some of the key factors driving the North America market share.

Retail ready packaging (RRP), also known as shelf-ready packaging, is a secondary packaging solution that aids in optimizing stock. It includes pallet displays, case stackers, and counter displays, which are commonly manufactured using plastic, paper, and paperboards. It is lightweight, appealing to the eyes, and reduces the time needed to unpack products and set up displays. It offers numerous other advantages, such as easy handling and replenishment, and helps in effective brand promotion, improving product identification and shelf-life, and protecting the packed fragile items from mechanical stress while transporting them from one place to another. Besides this, it aids in reducing packaging waste, eliminating the need for external secondary packaging materials, and minimizing labor and overall operation costs. At present, it is extensively used in the food and beverage (F&B) industry across the globe to keep moisture away and retain the aroma and flavor of packed items for a long time.

Retail Ready Packaging Market Trends:

Significant Retail Sector Expansion

The continued growth of the global retail sector is fueling demand for retail-ready packaging, as companies look for efficient ways to display and stock products. According to the Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce, the United States retail e-commerce sales for the fourth quarter of 2023 reached USD 285.2 Billion. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, e-commerce sales increased by 7.5% in 2023. As retail sales grow, the need for packaging that enhances shelf visibility and convenience is influencing the market growth. Moreover, retailers are widely adopting RRP to improve product display and reduce restocking time, allowing for a more seamless shopping experience. Moreover, retail-ready packaging is designed to meet the logistical demands of modern retail environments, where products need to move quickly from distribution centers to store shelves. Besides, the use of RRP enables efficient replenishment, reducing the labor required for stocking and making it easier for consumers to access products. As the retail sector expands, the demand for packaging solutions that combine efficiency with visual appeal is expected to create a positive retail ready packaging market outlook.

Supportive Sustainability Initiatives and Regulations

Sustainability concerns and government regulations are driving the adoption of eco-friendly retail-ready packaging. Additionally, several countries have implemented policies aimed at reducing plastic waste and promoting circular economies. For instance, the European Union (EU) Green Deal sets ambitious targets with various initiatives focusing on ensuring packaging becomes fully recyclable by 2030. These efforts include establishing design guidelines for packaging, implementing mandatory deposit return programs for plastic bottles and aluminum cans, and clearly defining which specific types of packaging should be compostable, allowing consumers to dispose of them in biowaste streams. These regulations are pushing companies to transition from traditional, plastic-based packaging to more sustainable alternatives, including recyclable and biodegradable materials. As RRP made from sustainable materials meets regulatory requirements and aligns with corporate social responsibility initiatives, there has been an increasing use of packaging that will increase the retail ready packaging market share.

Rising Demand for E-commerce Industry

The rapid expansion of e-commerce globally has significantly contributed to the increasing demand for retail-ready packaging (RRP). As more consumers turn to online shopping, businesses are seeking packaging solutions that optimize efficiency in fulfillment centers. According to India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), India's e-commerce sector is forecasted to grow substantially, reaching a value of USD 325 Billion by 2030. Over the coming seven years, third-party logistics companies are expected to handle around 17 Billion shipments across the country. As e-commerce platforms manage a higher volume of orders, RRP becomes essential for streamlining stocking and displaying products in warehouses and during the delivery process. Moreover, retailers require packaging that is easy to handle, durable enough for shipping, and visually appealing for online and in-store consumers. These factors are propelling the retail-ready packaging market growth as companies seek versatile solutions that enhance the efficiency and appeal of their products in a competitive online marketplace.

Retail Ready Packaging Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global retail ready packaging market, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country level from 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on product type, material, and end user.

Product Type Insights:

• Die Cut Display Containers
• Corrugated Cardboard Boxes
• Shrink Wrapped Trays
• Folding Cartons
• Others
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the retail ready packaging market based on the product type. This includes die cut display containers, corrugated cardboard boxes, shrink wrapped trays, folding cartons, and others. According to the report, die cut display containers represented the largest segment.

Material Insights:

• Plastic
• Paper and Paperboard
• Others
   

A detailed breakup and analysis of the retail ready packaging market based on the material has also been provided in the report. This includes plastic, paper and paperboard, and others. According to the report, plastic accounted for the majority of the market share.

End User Insights:

• Food and Beverage
• Pharmaceuticals
• Electronics
• Personal Care and Cosmetics
• Others
   

A detailed breakup and analysis of the retail ready packaging market based on the end user has also been provided in the report. This includes food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, electronics, personal care and cosmetics, and others. According to the report, food and beverage accounted for the largest market share.

Regional Insights:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
   

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets that include North America (the United States and Canada), Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others), Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others), and Middle East and Africa. According to the retail ready packaging market analysis, North America was the largest market for retail ready packaging. Some of the factors driving the North America retail ready packaging market included the expansion of hotels and quick service restaurants (QSRs), increasing consumption of convenience foods, rising usage of electronic products, etc.

Competitive Landscape:

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the retail ready packaging market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the companies covered include:

• Caps Cases Ltd
• DS Smith PLC
• Green Bay Packaging Inc.
• Kapco Packaging
• Mondi plc
• Smurfit Kappa Group PLC
• STI - Gustav Stabernack GmbH
• The Cardboard Box Company
• The International Paper Company
• Vanguard Packaging, LLC
• Weedon Group
• WestRock Company
   

Kindly note that this only represents a partial list of companies, and the complete list has been provided in the report.

Retail Ready Packaging Market News:

• In March 2024, Shop.able Carriers, a new line of reusable and recyclable boxes designed for supermarkets, offer a sustainable alternative to plastic shopping bags for everyday grocery trips. Developed by DS Smith, a leader in sustainable fiber-based packaging, these durable and stackable boxes utilize the company's patented Greencoat® coating technology, which is food-safe and water-resistant. Shop.able Carriers provide consumers with an eco-friendly and cost-effective packaging option, being moisture-resistant, modular, and fully recyclable, all while being made from renewable materials.
• In June 2024, Smurfit Kappa, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, announced an agreement to acquire Artemis Ltd., a Bag-in-Box packaging facility based in Shumen, Bulgaria. Artemis specializes in food and beverage packaging, producing bags for Bag-in-Box products, as well as films and caps for wine. This acquisition will integrate Artemis into Smurfit Kappa’s existing Bag-in-Box network in Europe, enabling the company to strengthen its presence and customer reach in Eastern Europe while expanding its product offerings and innovation within the Bag-in-Box market.

Retail Ready Packaging Market Report Scope:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the global retail ready packaging market performed so far, and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What are the drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the global retail ready packaging market?
• What is the impact of each driver, restraint, and opportunity on the global retail ready packaging market?
• What are the key regional markets?
• Which countries represent the most attractive retail ready packaging market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the product type?
• Which is the most attractive product type in the retail ready packaging market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the material?
• Which is the most attractive material in the retail ready packaging market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the end user?
• Which is the most attractive end user in the retail ready packaging market?
• What is the competitive structure of the market?
• Who are the key players/companies in the global retail ready packaging market?

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the retail ready packaging market from 2019-2033.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global retail ready packaging market.
• The study maps the leading as well as the fastest growing regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the retail ready packaging industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.