The term CPG stands for Consumer Packaged Goods. It refers to consumer packaged goods – that is, products that are consumed quickly and require regular purchase. These are common consumer products that are packaged and usually sold in retail outlets, supermarkets or online stores.
Typical examples of CPG products are food (e.g. cereals, beverages, dairy products), cosmetics and personal care (e.g. soaps, shampoos, deodorants), household items (e.g. cleaning products, paper products), over-the-counter medicines (e.g. vitamins, painkillers)…
The main feature of CPGs is that they are products that customers have to buy on a regular basis. Unlike longer-lasting products such as electronics or furniture, CPG products have a shorter lifespan and are relatively inexpensive.
The term is often confused with FMCG. CPG is a broader term and encompasses all consumer packaged goods, whether they are fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) or slower-moving consumer goods – such as cosmetics or longer-lasting household items. The main difference is that FMCG focuses on fast-moving products, whereas CPG includes slower-selling products.