TLMI printTHINK Summit returned in 2025, with experts from leading suppliers and converters delivering their view of the label and package printing industry. The virtual event, which kicked off its first session on June 11, provided an in-depth look into the economy. Plus, consumer behavior was explored in detail.

“printTHINK Summit is designed to help keep you connected and ahead of the curve,” said Linnea Keen, president and CEO, TLMI. “Our members are busy during this time of the year, so we wanted to meet you where you are and make it easier for our membership. The sessions will be archived in TLMI Community, allowing members to refer back to the information from the event.”

The latest trends were a key highlight. In a detailed presentation entitled, “From Data to Direction: Understanding Today’s Market,” Laura Noll took attendees through a wide range of topics. Noll, the director of Market & Customer Insights at Avery Dennison, delved into the economy and consumer habits over the past 6-8 months.

“Despite all the financial strains, consumers are still spending – and it’s remained fairly stable,” stated Noll. “Persistent inflationary pressures will cause spending to decline, though. We’re seeing a big spike down in consumer confidence as we’ve gone into 2025, too. What does that do to labels and packaging across the board? Wealthy income households will maintain their spending, which is about 2/5 of households. Middle income and lower income consumers will prioritize how they handle their spending.

Consumer Trends

According to Noll, consumers are increasingly shifting to buying local, as well as lower cost, private label items.

“We’re having a stronger decline in Q1, but it was not due to consumer demand – it was the heavy increase of imports,” noted Noll. “We’re going to see a decline in consumer confidence and consumer spending, and that will continue into Q2. That drop down occurs because of uncertainty about where the economy is going.”

More households are making the conscious decision to save. Savings going up, means GDP will go down, explained Noll. A decline in government spending will also impact GDP. “You’re going to experience a checkmark like approach with the economy,” said Noll. “This is less like a normal recession and more like the Covid playbook. There will be a fast down and fast up, which is challenging when you’re trying to run a business.”

From 2022-2024, the US experienced a Consumer Confidence Index above a 100. “Uncertainty with tariffs caused that confidence to drop to 86 in April, which is an all-time low since Covid,” remarked Noll.

Consumers will be cutting back on discretionary items and prioritizing non-discretionary food and beverage items. There is expected to be a decline in apparel and footwear, electronics, and automotive sales, too.

Noll stated that the jobs market has been relatively strong, but that could shift by the end of 2025. Currently there is 4.1% unemployment – which is technically full employment – but it could rise to 4.4% by year’s end.

From a market growth perspective, pharmaceuticals and e-commerce/logistics are expected to see the biggest growth at 4.8% and 3.8%, respectively. Food and beverage, meanwhile, will measure in at 2.1% and 1.7%.

AI and Sustainability

Other trends are impacting consumers, as well. For example, AI is changing the consumer landscape. “AI is rapidly changing consumer trends and changing their experiences with brands and products, as well as how they interact with companies,” commented Noll. “Consumers do want a balance, getting personalized and customized experiences along with a human experience.”

Converters will be developing label and product solutions for brands that have several goals in mind. Consumers are sensitive to price, and they want value offerings. Brand are also highlighting targeted customer engagement and focusing on brand trust. Incorporating a brand’s culture into a label or package is one such way to resonate with consumers.

Meanwhile, sustainability is key. “People are really starting to buy products that mention sustainability or are sustainably made,” stated Noll. “Consumers now expect brands to be sustainable. They’re expecting functional, consumer-centric packaging innovation. They want companies to create value and meet consumers’ values and ethics, and being sustainable for our communities around us and our earth.

“Circular economy principles are driving demand for recyclable, reusable, and compostable packaging, with the end of life in focus,” added Noll. “Consumers need to be able to trust the brands and ensure they are being sustainable. Brands want to meet evolving needs of consumers, which leads to a lot of excitement in the market around sustainability.”

Facts and figures

According to recent reports from Mintel, consumers are taking more proactive sustainability measures than ever before. Mintel states that 48% of consumers are washing out packaging before recycling, and 38% say they have taken recyclables to an actual recycling center. Plus, 30% purchased a food product because it used sustainable packaging.

“Our communities are getting more involved with sustainability, and shoppers are expecting it,” said Noll. “One of the biggest drivers from focus groups has been sustainability and how brands are using AI to design several package types to test, as well as how the package can best be recycled.”

“When I think about sustainability, brands expect it from their suppliers,” added Keen. “They used to ask for it, but now it’s an expectation.”