Labels: The State of the Industry

Market trends: North America

In 2011, the overall North American label market grew at an estimated 1.2 percent over prior year—in line with GDP growth—and overall growth was primarily driven by the sleeve label formats. Pressure-sensitive label volume growth—at 1.5 percent in 2011, taking the overall market share to 48 percent—was highest in applications centered round variable information print. Glue-applied label demand continued to decline in 2011 by a further 1 percent in volumes to a 32 percent market share, with wraparound labels also declining by 1 percent.