As consumers demand greater convenience, e-commerce sales continue to rise. According to the 2019 Internet Retailer Top 1000 Report, consumers spent $517.36 billion online with U.S. merchants in 2018, up from $449.88 billion spent the year prior. Even when the final sales takes place in a store rather than online, the first step to most purchase decisions starts at the search bar.

"Sustainability" is more than just a buzzword; it has become a significant factor in almost all elements of production—including the way manufacturers print onto packaging materials. As consumers continue to demand greater variety on retail shelves, especially when it comes to sustainable, premium and convenience choices, manufacturers are forced to examine their own processes to keep pace with demand and extract every last second of productivity.

 

Today’s food manufacturers face a whole host of new challenges. A shift in consumer needs and demands driven by the increasingly diverse needs of all consumer groups, such as singles, empty nesters and smaller family units, have likely been the greatest disruptors.