In recordable disks, a commodity category, Maxell brings a new look that’s exclusive to Wal-Mart by keying on current trends in automobile culture.

Lebanon Seaboard is the top-selling brand in lawn and garden supplies, yet the company decided to survey consumers for their perceptions of the brand. The results told Lebanon Seaboard that the package had shortcomings in consumers’ minds and would require structural modifications. Among consumers’ observations:

If you want to sharpen the techniques that prove the value of your package design through market research, plan to attend the 8th annual “Proof: Market Research & Development For Package Design” conference. The event will be from Sept. 25-27, 2006, at the Drake Hotel in Chicago.

Last month, Shelf Impact! also asked readers this question: “From a creative perspective, what is the reason, most often, that new packaging initiatives fail?” Here are some of the most thoughtful answers we received:

Launches of new products have been particularly active over the last year in the facial-care aisle. The category is enjoying growth on two fronts: products formulated and packaged for men, as well as in-the-home, salon-style treatment kits.

The warehouse club's packaging makeover features paperboard-blister hybrids.

Define your visual equities, design for the future, and trust your agency. These steps will help you to keep the forces of the familiar at bay.

As Wal-Mart ramps up its environmental sustainability initiative, the retailer is telling brand owners that they need to evolve into smaller packaging with reusable/recyclable materials within two years, or risk losing precious shelf space in Wal-Mart stores.