The shelf display trays market is projected to grow from USD 79.3 billion in 2025 to USD 119.7 billion by 2035, registering a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period. Sales in 2024 reached USD 76.1 billion.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Market Size in 2025 | USD 79.3 billion |
| Projected Market Size in 2035 | USD 119.7 billion |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 4.2% |
Steady expansion in retail, FMCG, and promotional packaging sectors has fostered demand for shelf-ready and customizable tray formats. Flexible shelf display trays have been preferred by large-format retailers and supermarkets due to their utility in both transport and in-store merchandising. Consumer goods companies are increasingly adopting shelf-ready solutions that enhance visibility and reduce stocking time. Emerging economies have demonstrated strong potential as organized retail formats gain popularity.
Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, has created a range of fit-for-purpose packaging solutions to protect and transport fresh produce from farm-to-shelf-to-home safely, efficiently and conveniently. Grow&Go is a suite of packaging products optimized for farm-to-shelf delivery in a market-leading range of sizes, from attractive consumer-friendly trays and carry-packs to pallet-ready bulk shipping boxes.
Steep demand increases are on the horizon for small portion packaging. Small portion packs offer many benefits to the end consumer, such as providing the product to be taken directly from the shelf in its packaging without the fresh produce being touched. They also make the shopping experience more convenient - no more fussing with scales or sachets - and they protect fragile items like tomatoes for the trip home, Jan Blankiewicz, Product Innovation Manager, Mondi Corrugated Solutions.
Sustainable materials and lightweight board grades have increasingly been utilized in the manufacture of shelf display trays to address regulatory and environmental priorities. Innovations have emphasized the use of single-material, mono-board formats compatible with automated packing lines and recycling systems.
Consumer brands are favoring zero-waste formats that enhance ease of disposal post-purchase, especially in promotional display units. In the Indian retail landscape, growing pressure to eliminate plastic liners has pushed suppliers toward water-based coatings and paper-integrated reinforcements.
The shelf display trays market is likely to experience long-term gains driven by India’s organized retail penetration and changing consumer engagement strategies. Regulatory encouragement of biodegradable substrates, rising investment in retail infrastructure, and shelf segmentation strategies by CPG firms are expected to amplify demand.
Brands are also prioritizing localized messaging and multilingual printing on trays, further boosting the need for short-run flexibility. These shifts are anticipated to consolidate supplier networks and accelerate regional printing infrastructure development for high-volume shelf display tray formats.
The market is segmented based on material, size, design, end use, and region. By material, the segmentation includes plastic, cardboard, metal, and others (such as wood and glass), each offering varied durability, weight, and sustainability profiles to meet diverse packaging and display needs. Size categories span up to 12 inches, 12 to 18 inches, 18 to 24 inches, and above 24 inches, with compact trays preferred for retail and foodservice use and larger trays gaining traction in electronics and appliance segments.
Design types include flat trays, compartment trays, slanted trays, and stackable trays, with stackable variants supporting space-saving logistics and ease of handling across industries. End-use applications include food & beverage, cosmetics & personal care, electronics & appliances, and retail, driven by demand for attractive product presentation and efficient shelf organization. Regionally, the market spans North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Oceania, and Middle East & Africa.
Cardboard is anticipated to dominate the shelf display trays market with a 57.6% share in 2025. It has been selected for its low cost, light weight, and ease of printing. Trays made from corrugated or solid paperboard have been designed for efficient stacking and in-store visibility. Sustainable sourcing and recyclability have contributed to increased retail adoption.
Brands have utilized cardboard trays for promotional and seasonal displays in grocery and retail stores. Die-cut windows, colorful graphics, and structural inserts have been added to boost product visibility. Rapid prototyping has been enabled through digital printing and laser cutting on cardboard substrates. Cost-effective production runs have supported short-term marketing campaigns and limited-time offers.
Retail-ready packaging mandates from major retailers have encouraged the use of shelf display trays made of cardboard. Products have been packed, shipped, and displayed in the same tray, reducing shelf replenishment time. Standardized dimensions have facilitated compatibility with pallets and point-of-sale systems.
Custom-sized trays have also been developed for small-scale producers and local brands. Increased pressure to reduce single-use plastics has shifted demand toward fiber-based alternatives. Cardboard trays with water-resistant coatings and added durability have been introduced for chilled and perishable items.
Global retailers have partnered with packaging manufacturers to co-develop tray formats tailored for specific product lines. The growth in sustainable retail merchandising is expected to further elevate demand for cardboard trays.
The food & beverage industry is projected to capture a 48.9% share of the shelf display trays market in 2025. Trays have been widely used to display snacks, beverages, canned goods, and bakery products in retail environments. Ready-to-display formats have been favored by supermarkets for minimizing labor and shelf organization time.
Shelf trays have supported efficient visual merchandising and impulse purchase triggers. Perforated trays that convert from shipper to display units have been adopted by FMCG brands. Printed branding and product information have been integrated directly onto the trays to maximize shelf impact. Beverage companies have used die-cut display trays to group cans and bottles while maintaining brand consistency. Increased preference for grab-and-go packaging in convenience stores has driven further uptake.
Tray formats have been tailored to seasonal campaigns and promotional bundling in food aisles. High-frequency items like chips, juices, and confectionery have been placed in display-ready trays for easy access and visibility. Packaging conversions from traditional boxes to shelf trays have been undertaken to reduce packaging weight and improve logistics.
Retailers have collaborated with manufacturers to adopt standardized tray footprints. Food-safe coatings and barrier materials have been applied to trays used in refrigerated or fresh categories. Shelf display trays have allowed better product rotation and inventory control in perishable segments. Enhanced structural strength has ensured protection of fragile or stackable items during display and handling. Demand has been amplified by modern retail formats and frequent restocking cycles in food and beverage outlets.
Low Product Differentiation and Recycling Infrastructure Gaps
Product commoditization is one of the challenges for the shelf display trays market trays being perceived as low-cost, single use retail displays with minimal brand differentiation. Plus, most shelf trays use coated or laminated substrates (glossy surfaces, foam cores) that make recyclability and waste separation trickier, particularly in nations with poorly developed recycling infrastructures.
The rising cost of paperboard and corrugated materials after 2020 has also applied pricing pressure on manufacturers and sustainability regulation continues to evolve.
Surge in Retail-Ready Packaging, Sustainability, and Brand Storytelling at Shelf Level
As retail-ready and shelf-ready packaging (RRP/SRP) increases profitability in supermarkets, hypermarkets and discount stores, brands use cost-heavy shelf display trays in the same way they do with logistics, as a copy that goes beyond the shelf. More recent advances in die-cut tray design, biodegradable coatings, printed/printed trays for in-store promotion, and modular display systems enable trays to have functional and promotional capabilities.
The growing awareness of sustainability, convenience-based replenishment, and visibility of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) are new growth prospects for sustainable display trays with smart branding.
The United States shelf display trays market is projected to deliver ample growth prospects over the forecast duration, primarily because of increasing demand in retail, FMCG, and foodservice sectors. Next, Brands are leveraging shelf-ready packaging (SRP) like display trays and to increase product visibility, optimize the replenishment on the shelf, and facilitate shoppers.
Market leaders include corrugated cardboard and recyclable plastics, with an increasing demand for tray customization that combines aesthetics and functionality. The e-commerce impact also has brands creating shelf trays that are omnichannel retail format-compatible.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| USA | 4.5% |
The UK shelf display trays market is on the rise on account of enhanced progression toward sustainable retail-ready packaging. Supermarkets are at the forefront of displaying products from shelf display trays in stocking efficiently with minimal waste, and quicker point of sale set up.
There is increasing adoption of FSC cardboard, composting materials, and lightweight material trays. With retailers placing a very high emphasis on in-shop marketing, demand is peaking even for personalized striking graphics.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| UK | 4.1% |
The EU shelf display trays market is on the rise as there is increased focus towards packaging recyclability and aims towards circular economy. In Germany, France, and the Netherlands, retailers and CPG companies deploy SRP solutions that minimize handling costs while maximizing merchandising impact.
It can be seen that biodegradable and mono-material tray constructions are trending. Discover on-going demand of high-color-graphic trays used as primary & display packaging across food & beverage industry.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| EU | 4.0% |
Japan is set to observe steady growth in shelf display trays market due to high retail density, small-format stores, and premium product presentation. Such display trays are typically manufactured in a compact, low-technology, and visual-consistency mode to fit Japan’s highly developed retail environment.
Instead, paper and hybrid-material trays with a modular design are becoming common. As convenience demand rises and packaging waste shrinks, companies are increasingly simplifying tray design for fresh, single-product presentation and fast shelf restocking.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Japan | 4.2% |
The South Korea shelf display trays market is positively influenced by the growing consumer product launches in health foods, cosmetics, and drinks. Shelf trays are preferred for space-limited environments like convenience stores and retail chains.
Consumers aware of the environment are driving demand for reusable and recyclable tray configurations. Moreover, K-branding by Korean brands is leading to competitive differentiation through the use of aesthetically pleasing trays.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| South Korea | 4.3% |
Increasing demand from retail, FMCG, cosmetics, food & beverage, and pharmaceutical industries which require POS visibility, space utilization, and product display are some of the factors propelling the Shelf Display Trays Market at a brisk pace. Shelf display trays help ensure structural integrity, serve as an additional space for branding and promote convenience in stocking in store and engaging consumers.
Key market drivers include retail-ready packaging (RRP), shelf-ready packaging (SRP), sustainable material innovation, and digital printing technologies.
The overall market size for shelf display trays market was USD 79.3 billion in 2025.
The shelf display trays market is expected to reach USD 119.7 billion in 2035.
Rising demand for attractive and functional retail packaging, increasing focus on product visibility and brand promotion, and growing use of recyclable and customizable display solutions will drive market growth.
The top 5 countries which drives the development of shelf display trays market are USA, European Union, Japan, South Korea and UK.
Polypropylene (PP) display trays expected to grow to command significant share over the assessment period.
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Shelf Display Trays Market
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