WITH 100 days to go until London Packaging Week 2026 opens its doors, organisers have revealed that this year’s event will feature a renewed focus on discovery.
The exhibition, which takes place at Excel London on 16 & 17 September, will introduce a series of new features and experiences designed to help brands, designers and retailers navigate an industry being reshaped by regulation, innovation and shifting consumer expectations.
Returning names include No7, William Grant & Sons, Jo Malone London, Marks & Spencer, Fortnum & Mason, Burberry, Hotel Chocolat, LUSH, Elemis, Superdrug, John Lewis, Swarovski, Harrods and Starbucks.
“At the centre of the 2026 edition is a single idea: discovery,” explained Josh Brooks, divisional director – packaging portfolio at Easyfairs. “In a landscape defined by complexity, speed, and constraint, the ability to uncover better solutions faster has become a defining competitive advantage.
“Packaging is no longer a technical consideration sitting in the background of brand and operations decisions. It now sits firmly within boardroom strategy, influencing growth, resilience, sustainability and consumer relevance. Discovery is what enables better decisions, and that’s what this event is built around.”
New and expanded features include the Design Hub, powered by Pentawards, which brings together the packaging design community through curated talks, networking, and creative exchanges between brands and designers. The Innovation Gallery will spotlight standout developments from across exhibitors, with guided tours highlighting breakthrough materials and technologies.
Alongside this, the Start-Up Zone showcases emerging companies and disruptive thinking. At the same time, the Discovery Theatre provides a platform for start-ups, SMEs and agencies to present ideas shaping the next generation of packaging. A Podcast Studio will host live conversations with designers and industry leaders, and the Pentawards Gallery returns with 50 award-winning designs from across the world.
The conference programme features more than 90 speakers, including Esther Carter of PackUK, Alex Center of CENTER, Piera Toniolo of Dolce & Gabbana, Mark Browne of PZ Cussons and Jo Smith of Diageo, alongside senior leaders from WRAP, OPRL, PepsiCo, Suntory Food & Beverages, Müller Service GmbH, the British Beauty Council, Selfridges and L’Occitane.
Across the Luxury, FMCG and Discovery stages, the programme will explore five themes: Circular Futures, Next-Gen Solutions, Designed to Desire, The Conscious Consumer and The Efficiency Imperative.
London Packaging Week also aims to remain a central meeting point for the industry. The Inner Circle Bar will serve as a networking hub across both days, complemented by Day One networking drinks, a First-Timers Happy Hour designed to help new attendees connect quickly and confidently within the community, and a Women in Packaging morning programme in partnership with Packaging News. This includes an invite-only networking breakfast for winners, finalists and industry leaders from the Women in Packaging Excellence Awards, followed by a Power Hour featuring talks from female leaders.
