Global Point-of-Purchase Packaging Market Size, Trend & Opportunity Analysis Report, by Material (Paper, Foam, Plastic, Glass, Metal), and Forecast, 2024–2035

Market Definition and Introduction

The global point-of-purchase (POP) packaging market was valued at USD 15.05 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach USD 24.42 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 4.50% during the forecast period (2024–2035). Point-of-purchase packaging has become an integral part of the retail strategy today, where packaging is no longer limited to ensuring the safety of a product, but has become a proactive medium for grabbing the consumer's attention right at the point of a decision. Retailers, consumer goods companies, and brand owners now increasingly rely on bespoke, visually vibrant displays fusing form with function to speed the purchase decision. This is packaged in the hyper-competitive retail environment characterised by e-commerce disruption and omni-channel dynamics intersection of branding, convenience, and shopper psychology.

Further, this transformation is closely linked to the consumer journey changes. Impulse buying, as well as visibility, matters in influencing outcomes. Progressive POP systems are now produced from environmentally friendly raw materials such as recycled paperboard or biodegradable plastics. These POP systems are aimed at creating ideals that will be appealing to the new eco-conscious consumer. The growing convenience retail formats and quick-service outlets are also fostering demand for lightweight, easy-to-install packaging solutions that lessen the time handling materials while fine-tuning brand storytelling in congested shelf spaces.

On the supply side, manufacturers are revisiting their assortment to accommodate digital printing technologies, interactive QR codes, and modular design-all improving production efficiency while engaging shoppers. They should invest in design thinking, automation, and supply chain optimisation, which have unlocked new revenue channels, even as they align with regulatory directives on sustainability and waste reduction. Thus, the POP packaging market stands as a vivid reflection of the emerging paradigm in retail and packaging, converging towards shopper-first, packaging as a silent salesman and a sustainability statement simultaneously.

Recent Developments in the Industry

Smurfit Kappa expands recyclable POP solutions for retail innovation in Europe.

This past March 2024, Smurfit Kappa debuted an all-new range of recyclable, paper-based POP displays specifically designed to become less reliant on single-use plastics in European retail chains. With the effect being aligned to the European Green Deal, brand owners will be able to further their sustainability credentials without compromising high-impact shelf visibility. Smurfit Kappa has invested in much more advanced corrugated packaging formats aimed at spreading further into the fast-moving consumer goods and e-commerce retail categories.

WestRock Company collaborates with some FMCG leaders to pioneer interactive retail-ready displays.

In July 2024, WestRock Company has been associated with several global FMCG companies to advance the pilot project on smart POP packaging with QR codes and NFC-enabled designs incorporated. In actual use, it allows retailers to track consumer interactions, personalise promotional offers, and link online-to-offline brand engagement. This collaboration would seem to illustrate a decisive movement toward data-centric packaging models integrating retail marketing with consumer analytics.

DS Smith approves fibre-based POP packaging innovation within the U.S. retail scene.

It is now November 2023 when DS Smith launched its fibre-based POP packaging solutions, tailored for American supermarkets and convenience stores. Such displays are intended to reduce the transportation emissions greatly, stack more efficiently, and, to a greater extent, contribute to recycling success. The top world is aligned in the same direction with the directives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency toward the practice of circular economy is where one seeks to strengthen its base in sustainable packaging within North America.

Market Dynamics

Such changing formats of retailing and evolving consumer behaviour prompt innovations in sustainable point-of-purchase packaging, driving a new phenomenon across the globe.

The POP market, now, is witnessing modernisation in retail worldwide, with brand owners in search of integrating their packaging solutions in convenience stores, hypermarkets, and online-offline hybrid retailing chains. Packaging is now being seen as an intimate encounter in storytelling, with a focus on the joining of beauty and sustainability to push manufacturers in the direction of recyclable substrates and modular systems capable of minimising waste while ironically elevating the presence of the store.

Increasing regulatory pressures are driving the adoption of eco-friendly substrates in POP packaging worldwide.

Stringent 'bans' on one-use plastics in most world government jurisdictions have forced the packagers into reinventing their packaging products from paper-based and biodegradable alternatives. Laws such as the EU Directive on Single-Use Plastics and extended producer responsibility (EPR) frameworks in Asia-Pacific are reshaping supply chains and speeding up development in the greener lines of POP packaging. While making the environment tougher, this legal status paved the way for innovation as well as for suppliers capable of scaling efficient, sustainable solutions.

Synergistic integration of digital retailing is fuelling contemporary consumer markets' adoption of interactive packaging.

With the shift of consumer engagement to more enveloping experience-oriented immersion, the inclusion of digital technologies in pop packaging has gained much momentum. From QR codes directing to loyalty programs to displays augmented reality-enabled, packaging is being redefined as an experiential marketing tool. Retailers find that it is one opportunity for the online-offline divide, and brands gain access to information on some invaluable consumer interactions. Such a confluence of packaging and digitalisation is expected to be a defining trend for the decade ahead.

Raw material volatilities and price pressures often constitute significant challenges in the market.

The POP sector is especially vulnerable to the price surges in various raw materials, such as corrugated board, polymers, and foils. Geopolitical instability amid the global supply chain disruption has increased production costs at margins for mid-scale suppliers. Companies are counteracting such risks through diversified sourcing strategies, recycled inputs, and investments in regionalised production models to minimise logistics bottlenecks.

Attractive Opportunities in the Market

Sustainable Materials Surge – Rising preference for paper and fibre-based substrates creates long-term green packaging opportunities
Digital Retail Integration – QR codes and AR-enabled POP displays enhance interactive consumer engagement in retail spaces
E-Commerce Synergy – Growth of online-to-offline commerce drives hybrid packaging formats optimised for delivery and display
Regulatory Push – Global bans on single-use plastics accelerate innovation in biodegradable and recyclable POP solutions
Asia-Pacific Expansion – Rapid retail growth in emerging Asian economies stimulates high consumption of display-ready packaging
Retail Automation Growth – Modular, easy-to-install POP systems align with cost-efficient automated retail infrastructure
Custom Branding Trends – Demand for personalised, brand-specific POP displays spurs investment in digital printing technologies
Circular Economy Practices – Closed-loop recycling models create fresh opportunities for material recovery in packaging systems
Strategic Alliances – Partnerships between packaging firms and FMCG brands boost design innovation and retail penetration
Consumer Experience Focus – Enhanced shopper-centric designs drive emotional engagement and impulsive buying behaviour

Report Segmentation

By Material: Paper, Foam, Plastic, Glass, Metal

By Region: North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific), LAMEA (Brazil, Argentina, UAE, Saudi Arabia (KSA), Africa Rest of Latin America)

Key Market Players

Smurfit Kappa Group, WestRock Company, DS Smith Plc, Sonoco Products Company, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Pratt Industries, Menasha Packaging Company, International Paper Company, FFR Merchandising Inc., and Creative Displays Now.

Report Aspects

Base Year: 2024
Historic Years: 2022, 2023, 2024
Forecast Period: 2024-2035
Report Pages: 293

Dominating Segments

Paper-based packaging has taken over the POP market, mainly due to its recyclability, branding flexibility, and strong sustainability credentials. They have an eco-friendly image, easy printability, and structural flexibility, thus dominating the POP packaging market. Brand owners prefer paper-based formats for in-store displays and promotional campaigns, where they are able to capture vivid graphics, appeal to the shelves, and fulfil the sustainability mandate. With retailers being pushed to show eco-consciousness, paper has risen to the choice for mass-market adoption. The digital printing boom somewhat solidified paper's dominance to allow highly customised, short-run, and seasonal campaigns without really adding any costs. The regulations against single-use plastics have increased the significance of paper migration, with global fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies already bending towards recycled substrates to meet consumer expectations and corporate sustainability targets.

The Plastic kinds of POP packaging remain important in durability, aesthetics, and long-life retail display applications.

While increasingly held under scrutiny, plastics still hold a considerable share of the POP market due to engineering properties such as durability, transparency, and versatility to create elaborate display structures. For high-value products like electronics, cosmetics, and luxury retail items, plastic displays provide unmatched clarity and structural integrity. While environmental concerns attack the general usage of plastics, innovations in recycled PET, biodegradable polymers, and lightweight resin formulations will preserve the ongoing relevance of plastic POP packaging. Retailers deploying long-lasting or reusable displays for seasonal campaigns continue to use plastics to guarantee longevity, cost-efficiency, and coherent brand presentation. This segment's viability in the future will be determined by the pace of innovations in sustainable polymers and regional regulatory acceptance.

Metal-based POP packaging finds its niche in luxury branding and premium product differentiation across retail categories.

Metal POP displays, though accounting for a smaller market share, began to penetrate cautiously into a high-end retail environment wherein durability and premium branding were fundamental. The cosmetic, electronics, and beverage industries are gravitating to metallic finishes and aluminium-based displays to stand out in an overcrowded marketplace. Metal gives strength and can travel through multiple campaigns, fulfilling the circular economy philosophy. While costlier than paper or plastic, metal POP solutions are appealing to brands aiming to create a strong premium in-store presence that underpins consumer trust and brand equity. With the evolution of sustainability certifications, metals, being infinitely recyclable, could find a larger role in future POP packaging strategies.

Key Takeaways

Paper Dominance – Eco-friendly, recyclable properties drive widespread adoption across FMCG and retail industries
Plastic Relevance – Durability and versatility maintain plastics in high-value retail display applications despite sustainability concerns
Metal in Luxury – Premium, long-lasting materials gain traction for brand differentiation in luxury and beverage segments
Digital Printing Growth – Customisation and short-run campaigns propel demand for digitally printed POP packaging
Eco-Regulations Impact – Sustainability legislation accelerates the shift towards biodegradable and recyclable materials
E-Commerce Influence – Hybrid packaging optimised for delivery and display shapes the next phase of retail-ready solutions
Consumer Engagement – Interactive, shopper-centric packaging formats drive impulsive purchases and enhance brand loyalty
Raw Material Volatility – Price fluctuations in paper and plastics challenge suppliers to adapt sourcing strategies
Regional Expansion – Asia-Pacific’s rapid retail growth cements it as the fastest-growing POP packaging market
Collaborative Innovation – Strategic alliances fuel design advancements and broaden retail adoption of POP packaging

Regional Insights

With its robust retail ecosystem consisting of supermarkets, convenience stores, and big-box outlets, North America leads in POP (Point-of-Purchase) packaging.

Regional packaging players, global giants WestRock and International Paper, are putting immense investments in advanced paperboard and recyclable display technologies to comply with sustainability directives from regulators and corporate clients. There is increasing demand for customised and interactive POP packaging, especially from the FMCG and electronics sectors looking to create consumer engagement within fiercely competitive retail markets. Moreover, U.S. retailers are increasingly favouring automated modular POP systems, which cut down on labour and optimise floor space. ADD something here about balancing its environment-friendly practices with high-impact branding strategies, further cementing the lead of this region.

Europe pushes forward with environmental legislation and practices in circular economy models, spearheading the change in sustainable POP packaging.

Europe remains the driving force behind the investment in sustainable POP packaging because of the ambitious regulatory frameworks, such as the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive and compliance with REACH regulations. Companies such as Smurfit Kappa and DS Smith are currently developing recyclable and biodegradable substitute products for plastics, adopting fibre-based POP displays that are fit for retailer demand and consumer preference. Germany, France, and the UK are the leaders again in circular-economy models with huge investments in recycling infrastructure. European retailers esteem packaging with eco-label certification; hence, suppliers' innovations are more directed to closed-loop systems and technologies for the recovery of materials. This is how Europe has earned its title as a global benchmark for green POP packaging transformation.

Asia-Pacific leads as the world's fastest-growing POP packaging market because of retail expansion and rapid industrialisation.

It features the largest growth in the forecast with regard to POP packaging, thanks to the rapid expansion of retail chains, booming e-commerce, and increasing disposable incomes in countries like China, India, and Southeast Asia. Both regional and multinational packagers are pouring resources into developing cost-efficient digitally printed POP solutions that can meet the diverse requirements of a vast consumer base. Organised retail formats are increasing, coupled with government initiatives promoting sustainable manufacturing practices, amplifying demand for eco-friendly substrates. With Asia-Pacific being deemed the hub of manufacturing worldwide, raw materials will always be available and will continue to ensure competitiveness among POP providers within the region. Regionally dynamic in its vibrancy, it has become a key growth driver in the global market.

Modern retail expansion, along with economic diversification, strengthens the acceptance of POP packaging in LAMEA.

With modern retail formats becoming established in urban centres, there has been increasing demand for POP packaging in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa (LAMEA). While in Brazil and Mexico, the increase in supermarkets and fulfilment centres for e-commerce is driving investment into more beautiful and durable POP displays, Gulf economies such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia are also capitalising on strategies for economic diversification to attract global FMCG players, stimulating the use of POP packaging in the segments of luxury and consumer goods. Africa is still in the early stages of being adopted, but, in the long run, it is expected to offer very good future opportunities as urbanisation and disposable incomes increase. The backbone of growth in LAMEA relates to modernisation in retailing and the entrance of international packaging suppliers eager to establish a foothold in emerging markets.

Core Strategic Questions Answered in This Report

Q. What is the expected growth trajectory of the point-of-purchase packaging market from 2024 to 2035?

The global point-of-purchase packaging market is projected to grow from USD 15.05 billion in 2024 to USD 24.42 billion by 2035, registering a CAGR of 4.5%. This expansion is driven by rising adoption of sustainable substrates, digital retail integration, and demand for high-impact display solutions across global retail channels.

Q. Which key factors are fuelling the growth of the point-of-purchase packaging market?

Several key factors are propelling market growth:

Expanding retail formats and e-commerce synergy demand innovative POP solutions
Transition towards recyclable, eco-friendly substrates driven by sustainability mandates
Integration of digital technologies to boost consumer interaction at the shelf level
Increased investment in modular, automation-friendly retail-ready packaging systems
Strong demand from FMCG, electronics, and luxury retail categories seeking brand differentiation

Q. What are the primary challenges hindering the growth of the point-of-purchase packaging market?

Major challenges include:

Volatility in raw material prices for paper, plastics, and foils
Compliance costs associated with stringent sustainability regulations
Balancing durability with recyclability in high-demand retail applications
High capital investment for digital printing and design innovation technologies
Global supply chain disruptions affecting timely POP packaging availability

Q. Which regions currently lead the point-of-purchase packaging market in terms of market share?

North America currently leads the POP packaging market, supported by strong retail infrastructure and innovative packaging providers. Europe closely follows with a leadership position in sustainable packaging adoption, while Asia-Pacific is emerging as the fastest-growing region due to retail expansion and rising consumer spending power.

Q. What emerging opportunities are anticipated in the point-of-purchase packaging market?

The market is ripe with new opportunities, including:

Expansion of fibre-based and biodegradable POP packaging
Rapid retail development in the Asia-Pacific and LAMEA regions
Integration of augmented reality and QR-enabled displays
Growth of e-commerce packaging tailored for display readiness
Strategic collaborations between packaging firms and FMCG brands to accelerate innovation

Key Benefits for Stakeholders

The report offers a quantitative assessment of market segments, emerging trends, projections, and market dynamics for the period 2024 to 2035.
The report presents comprehensive market research, including insights into key growth drivers, challenges, and potential opportunities.
Porter's Five Forces analysis evaluates the influence of buyers and suppliers, helping stakeholders make strategic, profit-driven decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer relationships.
A detailed examination of market segmentation helps identify existing and emerging opportunities.
Key countries within each region are analysed based on their revenue contributions to the overall market.
The positioning of market players enables effective benchmarking and provides clarity on their current standing within the industry.
The report covers regional and global market trends, major players, key segments, application areas, and strategies for market expansion. Show more