Exclusivity sells because often, the package is the product. Shelves at Sephora, a chain of beauty products stores founded in France, showcased an eye-catching example during the 2006 holiday season.

Expo and conference to spotlight innovation, sustainability, co-packing, and global issues.

Many of you had interesting answers to another question we asked: What do you think about when justifying whether a different package structure makes sense for the product you are working on?

By changing the label, store chain maintains local appeal of coffee brand ’ s small batches

Do you want to become a more nimble and cost-effective marketer by outsourcing your package development function? If so, a new conference, CP 07: Succeeding With Contract Packaging, will give you plenty of ideas for when and how to make contract packaging work for you—from major product manufacturers to small, virtual marketers.

Are you looking to break away from the clutter? Consider challenging conventional wisdom and surprise consumers of your product. So says Minda Gralnek. As Vice President and Creative Director for Target Stores, she leads a design team that challenges the conventional image of discount retailing.

Drawing inspiration from brand of yesteryear is now the future

Matt Dudas, a loyal reader of Shelf Impact! and a 17-year veteran in package structure, poses an interesting question. Why, in some product categories, does packaging innovation come only after tragedy strikes, he asks.

Mike Payne is Director of Snack Food Packaging at Masterfoods USA, Hackettstown, NJ. In a recent conversation with Shelf Impact!, he discusses innovation and trends in packaging structures.