COVID Trickle-Down Tied to Potential Corrugated Shortage The pandemic has pushed e-commerce into overdrive, boosting the demand for corrugated shipping boxes while also slowing down recycling efforts and supply chains, creating a potential problem (or a great opportunity) for the corrugated industry. Jan 21st, 2021 Many households have increased online shopping during the last year, boosted by stay-at-home orders and safety concerns related to brick-and-mortar shopping during the pandemic. This push has increased demand for corrugated shipping boxes – up 9% from March 2019 to March 2020, according to the Fibre Box Association, with increased year-over-year gains in June, July, September and October. The holidays expected to see even more e-commerce sales (eMarketer anticipated US retail e-commerce sales would jump 35.8% to $190.47 billion over the holiday season), and a Smithers report states that the corrugated market will reach $300 billion by 2023.