What Are Consumer Packaged Goods (CPGs)?

By Robin Hartill, CFP – Updated Aug 7, 2025 at 6:32 PM EST

Key Points

Consumer packaged goods are essential, everyday low-cost items that need frequent replenishing.
E-commerce growth and COVID-19 significantly increased online CPG shopping.
Challenges like inflation and supply chain issues impact the CPG industry.

When you go to the grocery store and load your cart with things like frozen food, snacks, beverages, coffee, shampoo, and toothpaste, you’re stocking up on consumer-packaged goods. Consumer packaged goods are products you consume virtually every day that must be replenished regularly. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of consumer packaged goods and some of the challenges in the industry.

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Unspecified white consumer goods hanging on shelves — Image source: Getty Images

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About the Author

Robin Hartill, CFP, is a contributing writer at The Motley Fool. Robin’s work has also been published by Yahoo Finance, USA Today, and Penny Hoarder. She is a graduate of the University of Florida.

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Robin Hartill has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Colgate-Palmolive. The Motley Fool recommends Kraft Heinz and Nestlé. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.