German consumers want more glass on the shelf 

A representative survey from Aktionsforum Glasverpackung and YouGov shows a clear message for brands and retailers: when consumers compare packaging materials directly, glass comes out on top. 

Conducted in August 2025 among more than 2,000 consumers in Germany, the survey found that glass is the preferred packaging material overall and ranks first in seven out of nine food and beverage categories when price is equal. 

The preference is especially strong for sweet spreads, alcoholic beverages and spices — categories where consumers appear to connect glass with quality, protection and trust. 

For retailers, private-label teams and brand owners, the findings point to a clear opportunity: there is a gap between what consumers say they want and what they often find on shelf.