In every issue, Beauty Packaging delights in bringing examples of the latest market trends and innovative packages to our many print and online readers. But this month’s content goes even beyond the usual, wrapping up the year with a noticeable surge in industry creativity. Just about every article teems with well-thought out, inventive beauty packages that promise to make a difference on shelf—from our cover story on Top Packaging Innovators to annual features on Dispensing Systems and Decorating Techniques, to our in-depth review of Luxe Pack Monaco, and our array of Online Exclusives at nitesh_bp.rodpub.com.

Clearer than ever is the acknowledgment by beauty industry suppliers and brands that innovative thinking is necessary at every level, from corporate policies to package development, distribution and beyond.

In fact, speaking with industry experts about innovative processes prompted us to add an article on Package Development (p. 48), an area that has transformed package design.

Not only does today’s market call for new ways of looking at things, the pressure to do it faster grows ever more critical. As a testament to this, we’ve noted the increasing use by industry suppliers of words such as nimble and agile. As the emphasis on speed to market increases, suppliers need to react quickly and be more flexible than ever, ready to shift production, priorities and direction as best benefits the brand.

This is especially mandated in a market with fluctuating top-performing regions and demographics. Middle Eastern and Chinese consumers, for example, continue to bolster prestige and travel retail figures that are soaring to new heights.

One day a country may be a marketer’s distant thought; the next, it becomes a focus. This was the case with tiny, oil-rich Qatar, which a recent study by UK-based Ledbury Research revealed is now the wealthiest country per capita—and a prime market for luxury goods.

A trend toward capturing consumers from the Middle East and China was evidenced at Luxe Pack Monaco where packaging took on a noticeably rich appearance. It was a pleasure to roam the halls of the Grimaldi Forum where innovative packaging was all around us.

We can’t wait to see what next year brings.

Publisher Jay Gorga and I wish you the happiest of holidays!