What’s protecting the product and capturing the buyer this year?
What are the top packaging formats supermarkets prefer in 2025?
The best packaging in 2025 doesn’t just sit on the shelf — it sells.
Retailers want packaging that’s lightweight, sustainable, functional, and fast to restock. Shoppers want clarity, convenience, and confidence in what they’re buying.
The result? A packaging arms race where even a salad bag or juice cap can be the difference between a sale… or a scroll past.
Top 8 Packaging Formats Supermarkets Prefer in 2025
Mono-material plastic trays
Paper-based fresh produce wraps
Stand-up pouches with zip reseals
Flat-top rigid tubs for freezer aisles
Cartonboard multipacks
Recyclable glass for premium tier
Refill and returnable packs
QR-enabled “smart” packaging
Let’s break them down with what retailers, suppliers, and shoppers expect from each format.
1. Mono-material plastic trays (for meat & ready meals)
Retailers are phasing out multi-layer plastic trays that complicate recycling.
Instead, they’re adopting mono-material PET or PP trays, which offer:
Better recyclability
Transparent lids for shelf visibility
High-speed packing compatibility
Lidl and Aldi have already transitioned entire ranges to mono-plastics in Europe.
2. Paper-based produce wraps (vs. flow wrap)
Plastic flow wrap is falling out of favour — fast.
Supermarkets are now stocking:
Grease-resistant paper sleeves for cucumbers
Compostable kraft bags for loose fruit
Pulpboard trays for berries
Why? It’s visual sustainability shoppers can see — and touch.
3. Stand-up pouches with reseal zippers
Snack foods, grains, pet treats, and even deli meats are moving to stand-up pouches.
Benefits:
Lightweight
Resealable (less food waste)
Peg- and shelf-ready
Brand real estate on front, side, and back
These pouches now dominate in categories where brands want to signal health, convenience, or eco-friendliness.
4. Flat-top freezer tubs for better stacking
In the frozen aisle, packaging is evolving to:
Flat lids
Rectangular shapes
Frost-resistant label adhesives
Clear brand blocks on top and side
Retailers prefer packaging that stacks tightly — and doesn’t frost over after five minutes in a trolley.
5. Cartonboard multipacks (for drinks & chilled)
Multipacks aren’t going anywhere — but shrink wrap is.
2025 multipacks use:
Recyclable cartonboard sleeves
Handle-ready die cuts
Plastic-free gluing
Brands like Coca-Cola and Danone are piloting grip-and-go formats that remove up to 90% plastic from multipacks.
6. Glass jars for premium positioning
Glass is back in premium chilled and dry categories:
Sauces
Dairy desserts
Overnight oats
Herbal teas
It’s not just about sustainability — it’s about weight, clarity, and trust.
Shoppers associate glass with heritage and quality. Retailers are leaning into that at the premium tier.
7. Refill and returnable packs gain traction
Refill models are growing — especially in:
Household
Petcare
Personal care
Reusable pouches or canisters paired with in-store refills or mail-back programs are now appearing in mainstream supermarkets.
8. QR code packaging: data meets display
QR codes now unlock:
Recipe videos
Sourcing information
Loyalty rewards
Sustainability credentials
Live stock status in local stores
They also reduce clutter on pack — giving more space for design and less for jargon.
Retailers love them. Shoppers use them. Brands need to start using them smarter.
Final Thoughts: In 2025, packaging has one job — perform
If your packaging doesn’t grab attention, explain value, and ship efficiently — it’s gone.
The best packaging formats this year are:
Recyclable
Stackable
Shoppable
Sustainable
Scan-able
Packaging is no longer the last part of product development — it’s one of the first things buyers consider.
And in 2025? It’s your first shot at getting stocked.
