2026
9
US Household Paper Products Market Report 2026
2026-09-18T16:04:16+00:00
REP9A94FAEE_0885_4560_94FA_EE0885256090
3695
196298
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Report
en_GB
The category is being reshaped by a growing focus on value and wellness. Years of inflation have heightened scrutiny of household purchases, making quality (62%) and price (61%) the leading…
US
Paper Products
simple

US Household Paper Products Market Report 2026

The category is being reshaped by a growing focus on value and wellness. Years of inflation have heightened scrutiny of household purchases, making quality (62%) and price (61%) the leading purchase drivers.

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  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • What you need to know
    • Outlook for household paper products
    • Outlook for wipes
    • Opportunities
    • Value-plus performance
    • Next-gen tree-free futures
    • Wellness-centric hygiene expansion
  2. THE MARKET

    • Snapshot – market size and forecast
    • Consumers and the economic outlook
    • US economic snapshot
    • Wellness seeps into every aspect of life
    • Sustainability faces a value reality check
    • Sustainability concerns give rise to tree-fiber alternatives
    • Market size and forecast of household paper products
    • Graph 1: total retail sales and forecast of household paper products, at current prices, 2021-31
    • Market size and forecast of household paper products
    • Retail sales and forecast of household paper products, at inflation-adjusted prices
    • Household paper product will experience modest growth
    • Sales of household paper products by company
    • Sales of toilet tissue by company
    • Sales of paper towels by company
    • Sales of paper napkins by company
    • Sales of facial tissue by company
    • Sales of hand/face moist towelettes by company
    • Sales of flushable moist wipes by company
  3. THE CONSUMER

    • Household paper product usage
    • Use of popular household paper products is declining
    • Graph 2: use of household paper products in the past three months, 2022 and 2026
    • Disinfecting wipes give consumers hygiene convenience
    • Disinfection still holds value
    • Graph 3: use of personal hygiene paper in the past three months, 2026
    • Younger consumers look for more specialised solutions
    • Factors most important for household paper products
    • Inflation is reinforcing demand for performance and value in household paper
    • Private labels are delivering value for money
    • Routine purchasing habits reinforce the importance of brand familiarity and convenience
    • Stock-up behaviors are increasing the importance of product size and longevity
    • Factors most important for personal hygiene paper products
    • Value outweighs environmental concerns
    • Graph 4: factors most important when choosing personal hygiene paper products, 2026
    • Consumers seek more than cleanliness
    • Price concerns lead to lower usage, not switching
    • Trust remains central to consumer perceptions of flushable wipes
    • Sought-after benefits for tissues and personal wipes
    • The top benefits are value-related
    • Consumers continue to prioritise strength
    • Graph 5: additional benefits looked for in facial tissues or personal wipes, 2026
    • Comfort concerns fuel demand for skin-friendly claims
    • Paper products are becoming a vehicle for self-expression among younger consumers
    • Brands are elevating their looks to create clearer distinctions
    • Sustainability in household paper products
    • The next phase of sustainability will require a performance boost
    • Graph 6: most important purchase factors for household paper products and personal wipes/tissues, by environmental claims, 2026
    • Tree-free alternatives appeal to environmentally conscious household paper users
  4. PRODUCT, INNOVATION AND MARKETING

    • Hello Tushy's bidets are reshaping rather than replacing toilet paper usage
    • Facial tissues need more allergy- and flu-reassurance
    • Graph 7: facial tissue launches, by claims related to skin, 2023-26
    • Tissue brands are appealing with skin-friendly claims
    • Honest leads with skin-friendly marketing
    • PlantPaper informs about PFAS
  5. APPENDIX

    • Report scope/market definition
    • The market
    • Forecast methodology
    • Forecast methodology – fan chart
    • Market size and forecast of household paper products
    • Average annual household spending on household paper products
    • Retail sales and forecast of paper napkins, at current prices
    • Retail sales and forecast of paper napkins, at inflation-adjusted prices
    • Retail sales and forecast of paper towels, at current prices
    • Retail sales and forecast of paper towels, at inflation-adjusted prices
    • Retail sales and forecast of toilet tissue, at current prices
    • Retail sales and forecast of toilet tissue, at inflation-adjusted prices
    • Retail sales and forecast of facial tissue, at current prices
    • Retail sales and forecast of facial tissue, at inflation-adjusted prices
    • Retail sales and forecast of hand/face moist towelettes, at current prices
    • Retail sales and forecast of hand/face moist towelettes, at inflation-adjusted prices
    • Retail sales and forecast of flushable wet wipes, at current prices
    • Retail sales and forecast of flushable wet wipes, at inflation-adjusted prices
    • The consumer
    • Consumer research questions
    • Consumer research methodology – US
    • US generation groups
    • Parents need ingredient reassurance
Download Report Summary

The category is being reshaped by a growing focus on value and wellness. Years of inflation have heightened scrutiny of household purchases, making quality (62%) and price (61%) the leading purchase drivers. At the same time, personal hygiene paper products are evolving beyond basic cleanliness, with consumers seeking benefits linked to skin comfort, confidence and wellbeing. Younger consumers, in particular, are driving interest in personalised, wellness-oriented formats.

A striking 78% of household paper product and personal hygiene paper users consider environmental impact when purchasing paper products, yet sustainability ranks behind quality, price and performance in purchase decisions. Consumers increasingly expect brands to deliver environmental benefits without compromising effectiveness, creating a higher standard for innovation.

Growth lies in helping consumers justify spending through visible performance improvements, such as longer-lasting products, enhanced strength, and personalised solutions that reduce stock-up anxiety. However, brands face mounting pressure from private label alternatives, as many consumers believe store brands perform as well as name brands and are willing to switch. Sustainability, wellness and trust will only drive growth when paired with demonstrable performance benefits.

This report looks at the following areas:

  • Usage patterns and category evolution
  • Value perceptions and purchase decision drivers
  • Private-label competition and brand loyalty dynamics
  • Demand for convenience, longevity and preparedness solutions
  • Wellness, skin health and personalisation opportunities
  • Sustainability expectations and adoption of alternative fibres
  • Innovation opportunities in performance, trust and premiumisation

To maintain value perceptions, household paper products must deliver visible benefits, such as durability, skin comfort and trusted environmental credentials.

Yasemin Holtemayer, Senior Research Analyst – Household Care

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