What are the Packaging Trends for 2025?

What are the Packaging Trends for 2025?

As we start a new year, you might be keen to explore the predicted packaging trends for 2025. These are based on consumer preferences, so they can elevate the perception of your brand. As such, a review and update of your packaging and labels could extend your market share and sales.

Sustainable Packaging Trend Remains a Priority

Sustainable packaging remains high on the agenda. This is less a trend and more a permanent shift in thinking. Customers favour brands that are implementing steps to minimise their environmental impact and packaging is an easy switch.

We expect to see continued interest in checking supply chain sustainability, coupled with a growing desire to use recycled materials in boxes, bottles, cans and jars. What’s more, there is a selection of new packaging materials coming onto the market. These include solutions made from agricultural waste, seaweed and mycelium and we are excited to see their potential.

Connected Packaging to Boost Accessibility

Codes on packaging are nothing new. As an example, barcodes have been a common feature on retail packaging since the early 1980s. More recently, codes on shipping boxes have aided warehouse efficiency and enabled tracking of e-commerce deliveries. However, there is an opportunity to use scannable codes to enhance the customer experience.

QR codes, NFC tags and Navilens have the potential to transform engagement between brand and customer. Yet, only a small percentage of companies are making use of connected packaging. Therefore, those that embrace this packaging trend will standing apart.

Minimalist Packaging Design, Maximum Customer Engagement

Codes and tags solve the dilemma of how to communicate with customers despite favouring minimalist packaging design. A scan instantly opens opportunities to share information in different formats including video, audio descriptions, translated text or icons. This increases accessibility and provides you with ways to engage the audience.

Your content could promote packaging reuse, product aftercare, your brand story and values in action. How about a gallery wall with images of people using their product or sharing tips and ideas that is updated each week? There are many ways to illustrate that customers are buying into more than just the product.

How to Get the Connected Packaging Trend Right

Customer Perspective

Connected packaging works if the process is simple and beneficial to the customers. Therefore, the starting point is a clear understanding of your buyer demographic. Firstly, do they have an appetite for scanning and engaging more fully? Secondly, what information and formats would be of value to them?

Printed Packaging

It is important that the codes are easy to see on packaging and labels. What’s more, the customer must identify that this is a tool for them to use, rather than the retailer. In addition, speak to your packaging manufacture about the finish on the printed packaging, as it has to be neat to ensure a scan always works.

Check Accessibility

Is the code scannable from all mobile devices and is the page quick to load? Is the process streamline and intuitive and do all information formats work as intended? You need to trial and test the process with a wide sample of users to iron out any issues or confusion.

Ensure Security

Put in measures to protect customers and your brand from any unintended use or data compromise. A scan to gather information should not open customers up to a barrage of marketing emails or worse.

Consider Incentives

If this is a new initiative for your brand, consider an incentive for early adopters. Can you provide them with a discount or freebie? This can be an effective way of encouraging them to share the experience and spread the word.

UK Packaging Manufacturer

As a specialist cardboard packaging manufacturer, we offer sustainable packaging solutions and printed packaging. As such, we can help you achieve the packaging trends for 2025. For further information and to discuss your requirements, call 01296 436888 or email enquiries@abcbox.co.uk.