Hidden Packaging Costs Emerge as Major Supply Chain Challenge for Grocery Retailers

Marrad urges retailers to act on hidden packaging costs before EPR regulations drive them even higher.

Surplus transport packaging hides in COGS and silos. With EPR looming, costs will rise fast. Retailers who act now gain visibility, avoid penalties, and unlock value while boosting sustainability.”

— Quote from Jim Owens, President of Marrad:

MESA, AZ, UNITED STATES, February 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Grocery retailers are facing a billion-dollar blind spot in their supply chains: the hidden and rising Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of surplus transport packaging. Marrad, a leader in sustainable materials management, is sounding the alarm at the upcoming RILA Link Retail Supply Chain Conference, urging retailers to take action before costs spiral further under expanding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations.

Transport packaging—pallets, totes, corrugated boxes, shrink wrap—protects goods in transit, but once products reach stores, surplus packaging becomes a costly and complex byproduct. While most retailers focus on direct spend, the true TCO includes labor, storage, waste hauling, lost asset value, environmental impact, and compliance costs. These hidden expenses often exceed direct packaging spend by 15–25%, creating a multi-billion-dollar challenge for the U.S. grocery industry.

Why It Matters Now
With EPR regulations accelerating, retailers will face new compliance, reporting, and financial obligations tied to packaging waste. Without visibility and ownership of surplus packaging flows, costs will rise sharply by 2028, driven by fragmented systems and sustainability pressures.

The Opportunity
Marrad’s TCO Baseline & Benchmarking Offering helps grocery retailers:
• Quantify the full lifecycle cost of surplus transport packaging
• Prepare for and mitigate EPR-driven cost increases
• Identify recovery opportunities and unlock hidden value

Call to Action
Meet Marrad at RILA Link 2026 to learn how we can help you turn packaging waste into measurable savings and sustainability wins. Schedule a conversation during or after the conference to explore actionable strategies for your organization.

Sabrina Bosch
Marrad
+1 602-692-8805
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