September 2025
The retail shipping labels market is booming, poised for a revenue surge into the hundreds of millions from 2025 to 2034, driving a revolution in sustainable transportation. Rapid advancement in technology like smart labelling, supply chain transparency, meeting huge customization demand in several industries are the major reasons behind the growth of the market. The major market players in this sector are primarily focusing towards development of product tracking process, sustainable material, and digital integration. This market is leading in the Asia Pacific due to the presence of top most companies for production of high-quality retail shipping labels.
The retail shipping labels refers to the production, supply, and utilization of labels designed to track and manage goods in the retail and e-commerce ecosystem. These labels serve as critical identifiers by displaying barcodes, QR codes, RFID tags, or printed data, ensuring smooth logistics, accurate delivery, and streamlined returns. Retail shipping labels are manufactured in different materials, including paper and synthetic substrates, with a variety of adhesives and print technologies. Rising e-commerce volumes, globalization of retail supply chains, and the need for real-time order tracking are driving demand. Their adoption spans retailers, logistics companies, e-commerce platforms, and warehousing facilities, with Asia Pacific dominating due to rapid online retail growth and expansion of fulfillment centers.
Metric | Details |
Key Drivers | Rising e-commerce, smart labelling (NFC/RFID/QR), supply chain transparency, demand for customization, sustainability trends |
Leading Region | Asia Pacific |
Market Segmentation | By Label Type, By Material, By Adhesive Type, By End User and By Region |
Top Key Players | Avery Dennison Corporation, CCL Industries Inc., 3M Company, Honeywell International Inc., Zebra Technologies Corporation, Multi-Color Corporation (MCC), SATO Holdings Corporation (SATO / Sato America), Fuji Seal International, Inc., RR Donnelley & Sons Company (RRD), PDC International Corp., Cenveo Worldwide Ltd. |
The integration of AI technology in the retail shipping labels market plays an important role in generating automatic labelling, optimized order management, smart labels and tracking, and data extraction and validation. Generative AI help in producing labels with accuracy in printing shopping address of the customers. Smart labelling help both retailer as well as customers to track the packages. The rising transparency in shipping of the products has enhanced the reliability which promote acceptance of this market.
Rising E-commerce Sector Drive the Retail Shipping Labels Market
The rising e-commerce sector has influenced the demand for the market. The increasing online shopping preference of the consumers has enhanced the demand for retail shipping labels. Efficient logistic solution available to manage the fast delivery service of the product purchased online boost the development of this market. Technological integration by introducing smart labels such as NFC and RFID tags promote the adoption of such labels. The growing emphasis towards consumers demands and sustainability in labelling has influenced the growth of the market.
Supply Chain Disruption Hindered the Retail Shipping Labels Market
Supply chain disruption of the labelling industry have hindered the expansion of the market. Volatile charges of the labels have restricted the extension of the market. Changing labelling guidelines has restricted the demand for this market.
Increasing Digital Printing & Customization Raised the Opportunities of the Retail Shipping Labels Market
Increasing digital printing & customization demand in the labelling sector has raised the opportunities for growth of the market. Digital printing permits cost-operative short runs and faster change times, permitting for customized and adjustable data labels to fulfil the special demand of the consumers. The incorporation of the automation in the labelling procedure streamlines services. Apart from general retailer it has huge opportunities existing in the pharmacy and healthcare sector.
The direct thermal labels segment dominated the market in 2024 due to real-time labelling solution, cost-efficacy, and high-speed. It is highly used in the paper-based labels which is extensively used as eco-friendly solution. These are affordable solution available for e-commerce industries for safe transportation of the products. It helps to stick mainly labels with address for longer period and resistant of adverse ecological impact such as moisture.
The RFID labels segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the market during the forecast period of 2025 to 2034. This segment is growing due to enhanced inventory management and huge supply chain visibility from producers. Contactless and real-time data monitoring capability is considered as major advantage of such labels which boost the expansion of this segment. It raises security management and protects from loss this tendency of RFID labels boosts its demand.
The paper labels segment held the largest share of the market in 2024 due to excellent printability, rising ecological sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. These are eco-friendly options available in the labelling industry boost the demand for this market. These are the sustainable solution available that can be recycled easily and reduce the wastage of materials. Rising high-speed labelling production process has influenced the demand for these materials for manufacturing labels.
The plastic / synthetic labels segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the market during the forecast period of 2025 to 2034. This segment is growing rapidly due to rapid growth od e-commerce industry. Enhanced demand for weather-resistance durable labelling has raised this segment. It can withstand high temperature, UV light, chemicals, and oil which appeal huge consumers towards this segment.
The permanent adhesive labels segment held the largest share of the market in 2024 due to rising demand in various sectors. Advancement in the resources of the label enhance the quality of the labelling. Increasing demand for packaged products labelling in industries such as food & beverages, industrial, and pharmaceutical sectors. Rising concern for safety of products, superior durability, and strong adhesion has pushed this segment to grow rapidly.
The repositionable adhesive labels segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the market during the forecast period of 2025 to 2034. This segment is growing rapidly as it helps in misleading directions and avoid delays in delivery. It provides huge flexibility while compared with permanent adhesives. It can be utilized on reusable transport shelves, containers, or totes that can be removed without any residue. This segment is majorly growing due to rapid extension of e-commerce sector.
The logistics & courier companies segment held the largest share of the market in 2024 due to its potential for generating labels, network and reach, and service provision. Advanced API incorporation is utilized by several companies to automate the shipping labelling production process. It supports in fast fulfilment of order shipment without any delay. Major companies such as Ekart Logistics and Ecom Express has brought several innovations to upsurge the demand for this segment.
The e-commerce platforms segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the retail shipping labels market during the forecast period of 2025 to 2034. This segment is growing due to its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. With automation in printing process and its management help in the production of huge labels. For safe delivery of products in the e-commerce sector has influenced the growth of the labels with strong adhesive. The necessity for real-time tracking has raised the demand for labels that stick for longer period with precise information.
Asia Pacific held the largest share of the retail shipping labels market in 2024, due to the presence of major market players. Rapid urbanization has also enhanced the usage of label with increasing online ordering system. Presence of strict labelling guidelines in industries such as food & beverages and pharmaceutical sector has also boosted the production of high-quality labels. The introduction of smart labelling which help in providing detailed information about products has raised the adoption of retail shipping labels.
Increasing partnership with manufacturers has raised the expansion of the retail shipping labels market in China. The growing demand for innovation in this sector is fulfilled by the market players push the adoption for these labels. Introduction of innovative ways to add the details of the products has influenced labelling demand.
North America expects the significant growth in the market during the forecast period. Increasing adoption of smart labels has influenced the growth of the market. The significant extension of online retail sector pushed the demand for trackable, durable, and high-quality shipping labels. Rising personalised label printing technology has also extended this market by meeting the demand of the consumers. With the growth of online ordering process there is a huge demand for smart labels for tracking of products.
The major raw materials utilized in this market are paper, synthetic and composite labels has boosted the demand.
The major components used in this market are facestock, adhesive, and release liner.
This segment is highly influenced by technological advancement, worldwide trade guidelines, and sustainability concern.
Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3
By Label Type
By Material
By Adhesive Type
By End User
By Region
September 2025
September 2025
September 2025
September 2025