Rapidly changing lifestyles and demographics are altering U.S. consumer behavior, eating patterns, new product development and, inevitably, the design of consumer packaging. Consumer goods manufacturers can look to flexible packaging for help in adapting to the new market realities.

Chief among the trends is today’s faster pace and busier lifestyles, and their impact on consumer behavior. Fewer meals, for example, take place with friends and family at the kitchen table. According to the NDP Group, a leading market research firm, over 50 percent of meals in the U.S. are eaten alone, including 60 percent of breakfasts, 55 percent of lunches and 32 percent of dinners. Many meals are eaten in the car, while beverages are often consumed outdoors and on the go.