Our daily lives have been upended since this pandemic hit. Many people across diverse industries were furloughed or lost their jobs entirely. The global economy was hit and we feel it in the United States. In fact, the Business Insider reports that the U.S. economy may slump 30% in this second quarter.

In the film Ready Player One, a dystopian culture relies heavily on virtual reality to escape the real world. These types of technologies used to feel so far removed from our current state, but not anymore. Smart technologies and the Internet of Things are at the forefront of changing everything.

Subscription services, grooming kits and self-barbering products are just a few of the hot trends for men’s personal care in the last few years. Even the old-school Barbasol shaving can has a new look, with different colors on the cans and caps for each scent as well as a distinct design technique.

In the competitive retail space it is imperative for brands to stay on top of evolving trends and consumer behavior. Thanks to technology, businesses have access to greater freedom and flexibility, enabling them to optimize packaging for a better customer experience.

Consumers push the trends in this market, which include flavor diversity, health and wellness appeal, convenience/resealability and clean label. There are opportunities for manufacturers, such as sustainable processes and increased productivity levels, to keep up with demand.

For most of the past decade, consumers around the world have increasingly shifted their spending from brick-and-mortar to online stores, appreciating the convenience and immediacy of digital shopping. But that trend could be reversing as members of Generation Z begin flexing their economic muscle.

It is not surprising that in our Top 50 Food Packaging Companies list, Nestlé, Tyson, JBS, PepsiCo and Mars are consistently the top names. The ongoing concern over health is a topic that frequently rises to the top of their lists. Is an increased healthy portfolio the secret to sales growth?

Consumer packaged goods companies (CPGs) continue to face major changes across the industry. Ecommerce and digital marketing continue to rise steadily in importance, though physical stores show no signs of going away.

Nine out of 10 consumers say they will pay more for products manufactured by companies that are addressing social and environmental issues. Moreover, 84% of global consumers say they specifically look to purchase responsible products.