In December, Shelf Impact! also asked readers the following question: How do you successfully balance relationships with your retail partners in their dual roles as merchant for your (your client's) brand and marketers of their own competing store brands? Twenty readers shared their thoughts, and here is a sample.

“Communication and win-win marketing.”

“I don't bring up the competition, but I offer similar, although slightly different, products.”

“The first thing to do is understand that our partners and us are both in business. But, we need to offer the highest quality of packaging to attract more attention and approval, from our clients and consumers alike.”

“I stress that the brand recognition that I am building through advertising and PR makes my brand a better bet for tbem than a version with their own store name. That, and I pray a lot.”