This report focuses on the B2C element of the e-commerce market, this is by far the largest portion of the global e-commerce market and is typically the area that drives the most packaging development. The global market for e-commerce packaging in 2022 is estimated to be worth $63.60 billion and annual average growth of around 9.8% to 2027 is expected.
The global market for e-commerce packaging in 2022 was estimated to be worth $63.60 billion, having increased by an annual average of 20.0% since 2017. However, a 12.5% global value growth in 2022 was significantly slower than the rates experienced globally during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and the surge in online shopping. Further growth is envisaged for the global e-commerce packaging market as e-commerce activity continues to grow, but at a slower rate, with value sales projected to increase at around 9.8% CAGR to 2027.
What does the report cover?
This report focuses on the B2C element of the e-commerce market, this is by far the largest portion of the global e-commerce market and is typically the area that drives the most packaging development. Global e-commerce is a very fragmented market despite the presence of several high profile players. There are four main packaging type categories used within the e-commerce market; flexible mailers, corrugated boxes, protective mailers and protective packaging. Since the beginning of the pandemic this market has seen unprecedented growth which has resulted in demand for transit packaging growing exponentially.
Our exclusive content
The most influential factors affecting the market are analysed and the future outlook and opportunities discussed. The report covers the most commonly used packaging formats and materials used in the e-commerce market with additional reference to innovations and alternative materials that are starting to be scaled on a commercial level. The main global e-commerce packaging trends are also
discussed, with data and commentary from all of the world's regions. End-use segment analysis includes all elements of the e-commerce market.
What will you discover?
An in-depth analysis of how the e-commerce market differs globally; in Europe and North America e-commerce consumers will happily browse for purchases on smartphones but many still prefer to make the final transaction on their laptop or PC. While in Asia Pacific, Africa & Middle East and South & Central America internet penetration is reaching high levels and a large percentage of consumers own smartphones, so the increase in m-commerce is likely to be far less dramatic than that seen over the last five years.
The Smithers methodology
This report is based on extensive primary and secondary research. Primary research consisted of targeted interviews with material suppliers, converters and experts drawn from key markets. This was supported by secondary research in the form of extensive literature analysis of published data, official government statistics, domestic and international trade organisation data, company websites, industry reports, trade press articles, presentations, and attendance at trade events.
Who should buy the report?
- Raw Material Suppliers
- Equipment and Machinery Suppliers
- Packaging Converters
- E-Commerce Brand Owners amd Retailers
- Industry Consultants Analysts
About the author
Tom Hallam has professional experience that dates back 23 years, initially working in the consumer products sector with Reckitt and for the last 15 years in forest products. Originally he was focused on market and consumer insight but he has been firmly focused on sustainability and innovation ever since. He has worked for four multi-national companies and has since been focused on delivering freelance projects via Brand Ethics consulting.
Table of Contents
Executive summary
Introduction & methodology
- Introduction
- Report scope
- Report objectives
- Methodology
- Data
- Packaging type
- Pre-made e-commerce packaging
- Corrugated boxes
- Materials
- Construction & format
- End of life solutions
- Plastic mailers
- Materials
- Construction & format
- End of life scenarios
- Paper mailers
- Materials
- Construction & format
- End of life scenarios
- Protective mailers
- Materials
- Construction & format
- End of life scenarios
- E-commerce packaging "on demand"
- Right size packaging (corrugated boxes)
- Materials
- Machinery, construction & format
- Auto bagging lines
- Materials
- Construction & format
- End of life scenarios
- End use segments
- Definitions
- List of technical terms used
Key drivers and trends in the e-commerce market
- Introduction
- E-commerce market overview
- M-commerce and voice commerce
- Leading e-commerce operators
E-commerce packaging market by packaging type
- Introduction
- Materials
- Plastics
- Flexible, corrugated boxes, protective mailers and protective boxes
E-commerce packaging market by end-use
- Overview
- Food and drink
- Personal care and cosmetics
- Electrical goods
- Books and media
- Apparel (clothing, footwear and accessories)
- Toys and sports equipment (not clothing)
- House and garden furniture
E-commerce packaging market by region
- Overview
- Asia Pacific
- China
- Japan
- South Korea
- Other Asia-Pacific
- Western Europe
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- UK
- Other Western Europe
- Eastern Europe
- Russia
- Other Eastern Europe
- North America
- South and Central America
- Brazil
- Other South and Central America
- Africa and the Middle East
- Turkey
- Other Africa and Middle East
Outlook to 2027
- Covid
- Geopolitical uncertainty
- Changing face of retail
- Connected and SMART packaging
- Planned and potential regulations
Key Facts and Figures
- Global e-commerce packaging by food and drink ($ million)
- Global e-commerce packaging by food and drink (volume)
- Global e-commerce packaging by personal care and cosmetics ($ million)
- Global e-commerce packaging by personal care and cosmetics (volume)
- Global e-commerce packaging by electrical goods ($ million)
- Global e-commerce packaging by electrical goods (volume)
- Global e-commerce packaging by books and media ($ million)
- Global e-commerce packaging by books and media (volume)
- Global e-commerce packaging by apparel (clothing, footwear and accessories) ($ million)
- Global e-commerce packaging by apparel (clothing, footwear and accessories) (volume)
- Global e-commerce packaging by toys and sports equipment ($ million)
- Global e-commerce packaging by toys and sports equipment (volume)
- Global e-commerce packaging by house and garden furniture ($ million)
- Global e-commerce packaging by house and garden furniture (volume)
- Global e-commerce packaging by materials ($ million)
- Global e-commerce packaging by materials (volume)
- Global e-commerce packaging by plastics ($ million)
- Global e-commerce packaging by plastics (volume)
- Global e-commerce packaging by flexibles ($ million)
- Global e-commerce packaging split by flexibles (volume)
- Global e-commerce packaging by rigid ($ million)
- Global e-commerce packaging by rigid (volume)
- Global e-commerce packaging by board ($ million)
- Global e-commerce packaging by board (volume)
- Global e-commerce packaging by other ($ million)
- Global e-commerce packaging by other (volume)
- Corrugated e-commerce packaging by food and drink ($ million)
- Corrugated e-commerce packaging by food and drink (volume)
- Corrugated e-commerce packaging by personal care and cosmetics ($ million)
- Corrugated e-commerce packaging by personal care and cosmetics (volume)
- Corrugated e-commerce packaging by electrical goods ($ million)
- Corrugated e-commerce packaging by electrical goods (volume)
- Corrugated e-commerce packaging by books and media ($ million)
- Corrugated e-commerce packaging by books and media (volume)
- Corrugated e-commerce packaging by apparel (clothing, footwear and accessories) ($ million)
- Corrugated e-commerce packaging by apparel (clothing, footwear and accessories) (volume)
- Corrugated e-commerce packaging by toys and sports equipment ($ million)
- Corrugated e-commerce packaging by toys and sports equipment (volume)
- Corrugated e-commerce packaging by house and garden furniture ($ million)
- Corrugated e-commerce packaging by house and garden furniture ('000 tonnes
- Protective mailer e-commerce packaging by food and drink ($ million)
- Protective mailer e-commerce packaging by food and drink (volume)
- Protective mailer e-commerce packaging by personal care and cosmetics ($ million)
- Protective mailer e-commerce packaging by personal care and cosmetics (volume)
- Protective mailer e-commerce packaging by electrical goods ($ million)
- Protective mailer e-commerce packaging by electrical goods (volume)
- Protective mailer e-commerce packaging by books and media ($ million)
- Protective mailer e-commerce packaging by books and media (volume)
- Protective mailer e-commerce packaging by apparel (clothing, footwear and accessories) ($ million)
- Protective mailer e-commerce packaging by apparel (clothing, footwear and accessories) (volume)
- Protective mailer e-commerce packaging by toys and sports equipment ($ million)
- Protective mailer e-commerce packaging by toys and sports equipment (volume)
- Protective mailer e-commerce packaging by house and garden furniture ($ million)
- Protective mailer e-commerce packaging by house and garden furniture (volume)
- Protective e-commerce packaging by food and drink ($ million)
- Protective e-commerce packaging by food and drink (volume)
- Protective e-commerce packaging by personal care and cosmetics ($ million)
- Protective e-commerce packaging by personal care and cosmetics (volume)
- Protective e-commerce packaging by electrical goods ($ million)
- Protective e-commerce packaging by electrical goods (volume)
- Protective e-commerce packaging by books and media ($ million)
- Protective e-commerce packaging by books and media (volume)
- Protective e-commerce packaging by apparel (clothing, footwear and accessories) ($ million)
- Protective e-commerce packaging by apparel (clothing, footwear and accessories) (volume)
- Protective e-commerce packaging by toys and sports equipment ($ million)
- Protective e-commerce packaging by toys and sports equipment (volume)
- Protective e-commerce packaging by house and garden furniture ($ million)
- Protective e-commerce packaging by house and garden furniture (volume)
For each region:
- E-commerce packaging corrugated boxes ($ million & volume)
- E-commerce packaging plastic mailers ($ million & volume)
- E-commerce packaging paper mailers ($ million & volume)
- E-commerce packaging protective mailers ($ million & volume)
- E-commerce packaging right size packaging ($ million & volume)
- Flexible E-commerce packaging ($ million & volume)
- Corrugated E-commerce packaging ($ million & volume)
- Protective mailer E-commerce packaging ($ million & volume)
- Protective E-commerce packaging ($ million & volume)
List of regions:
- Asia-Pacific
- China
- Japan
- South Korea
- Other
- Western Europe
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- UK
- Other Western Europe
- Eastern Europe
- Russia
- Other Eastern Europe
- North America
- US
- Canada
- Mexico
- South and Central America
- Brazil
- Other South and Central America
- Africa and Middle East
- Turkey
- Other Africa and Middle East