PROGRESS on reducing single-use plastic carrier bags is ‘stalling’ outside England’s biggest retailers, according to new analysis by retail packaging specialist BagKraft.
The firm analysed the latest Defra carrier bag figures and found that the seven major retailers reduced reported single-use plastic carrier bag sales from approximately 164 million in 2024/25 to 126 million in 2025/26 – a 23% fall in one year. Across other reporting retailers, however, sales moved from approximately 273 million to 272 million, a reduction of less than 1%.
BagKraft said the contrast means retailers outside the seven major groups now account for around 68% of all single-use plastic carrier bags reported as sold in England.
The gap is even more pronounced over the longer term. Since 2016/17, the seven major retailers — Asda, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, The Co-operative Group and Waitrose — have reduced their combined total by approximately 90.5%. Other reporting retailers are said to have achieved a reduction of around 65.5% over the same period.
Jon Marling, founder of BagKraft, said, “The biggest retailers have continued to make substantial changes, but progress across the wider retail market appears much slower. For retailers considering what comes next, there isn’t one universal answer. A recyclable paper carrier might make sense for an independent fashion or gift retailer, while another business might choose a durable reusable bag or offer different formats depending on the purchase.
“But there is also a bigger opportunity here. The carrier bag is one of the few pieces of packaging that leaves the store in the customer’s hand and can be seen by hundreds of other people.
“Trader Joe’s in the US has demonstrated the extreme end of what can happen when a reusable carrier becomes part of the brand itself. Its inexpensive mini canvas totes became viral products, with customers queueing for releases and bags appearing on resale marketplaces. Lidl has now jumped on the bandwagon with its own version.
“Retailers don’t need to manufacture scarcity or create a collectible. But they can learn from the underlying idea that packaging doesn’t necessarily have to be something customers immediately throw away. A well-designed bag can extend the in-store brand experience onto the high street, while a genuinely useful reusable bag can potentially stay with the customer for much longer.”
Across all reporting retailers, 399 million single-use plastic carrier bags were sold in England during 2025/26, compared with 2.116 billion in 2016/17.
