Packaging's Role in the Digital Shelf Revolution

This Special Report from Packaging World explores how brands, retailers, and technology providers are preparing for Sunrise 2027, the industry transition from traditional UPC barcodes to 2D barcodes capable of delivering product data, traceability, and consumer engagement directly from packaging.

Through case studies, expert perspectives, and technology insights, learn how packaging is evolving into a digital interface connecting products, supply chains, and consumers.

From automated distribution centers and e-commerce certification to AI-enabled shock and vibration analysis, some of the most influential supply chain players are redefining how packages should be designed, tested, and validated for the real world. At ISTA’s TransPack Forum, that future came into focus.

As distribution environments become more automated, fast-paced, and unpredictable, packaging is being pushed to perform under increasingly complex transit conditions. This special report from Packaging World explores how ISTA and major industry players—including Walmart, Amazon, Google, and IBM—are reshaping the future of package testing and transit performance, from automated distribution centers and evolving delivery conditions to AI-enabled vibration analysis and predictive testing.

Gain insight into the technologies, testing strategies, and emerging standards influencing packaging validation, automation, and supply chain resilience—and what they mean for the future of transport packaging design.

Explore the trends, policies, recovery systems, and innovations shaping the future of sustainable packaging.

Packaging professionals are under growing pressure to navigate new regulations, improve recyclability, and turn sustainability commitments into practical, scalable packaging strategies. This Packaging World Special Report delivers insights from SPC Impact 2026 on the policies, technologies, recovery systems, and collaborative strategies shaping the future of sustainable packaging.

Key takeaways:

• EPR is here. Learn how brands are preparing for a new era of packaging accountability.

• Recyclability is getting more complex. Discover how recovery infrastructure and policy are reshaping packaging decisions.

• Collaboration is accelerating innovation. See how brands, retailers, and suppliers are working together to solve packaging challenges.

• Compliance isn't the finish line. Find out how leading companies are building long-term circular packaging strategies.

The answer is changing how companies design packaging, measure success, and think about the consumer experience.

Packaging has long been optimized for manufacturing, protection, and shelf appeal. Now, leading companies are asking a different question: Who struggles to use this package? This Packaging World special report examines how Microsoft, Google, Haleon, Touch Design, the Arthritis Foundation, and Tilt Beauty are applying inclusive design principles to remove barriers, improve usability, and create packaging that works for a broader range of consumers—without sacrificing business performance or brand experience.

Key takeaways:

• Learn why inclusive design benefits everyone.Discover how designing for people with disabilities often creates better experiences for every consumer—not just those with permanent impairments.

• See how leading brands are putting accessibility into practice.Explore real-world examples from Microsoft, Google, Haleon, and Tilt Beauty, including design principles, consumer research, and product case studies.

• Understand the business case for accessible packaging.See how improved usability can strengthen brand loyalty, encourage repeat purchases, and open new market opportunities.

• Find practical design strategies you can apply today.Learn approaches for improving opening force, grip, readability, tactile cues, user testing, and package interaction while balancing sustainability, safety, and manufacturability.

Explore the technologies, market forces, and industry trends that emerged at the processing and packaging exhibition—and what they mean for future investment decisions.

Processing and packaging manufacturers are navigating a period of rapid change driven by AI, automation, sustainability, workforce shortages, regulatory pressures, and evolving customer expectations. This special report—which includes images and videos from the interpack 2026 show floor as well as editorial analysis of what’s new—examines the technologies and strategies helping respond to those challenges, highlights the trends shaping future investment decisions, and offers practical insights for building more efficient, resilient, and competitive operations.

Key takeaways:

• AI is becoming practical. Artificial intelligence is moving from concept to production through inspection, automation, maintenance, and decision-support applications.

• Automation is becoming more flexible.Robotics, modular equipment, and connected systems are helping manufacturers adapt to changing products and production requirements.

• Sustainability is driving equipment decisions.New materials, resource-efficient designs, and packaging solutions are increasingly shaped by regulatory and environmental goals.

• Connected data is becoming essential.Digital systems that improve visibility, traceability, and operational performance are emerging as a competitive advantage.

What manufacturers need to know about robotics, AI, digital twins, mobile automation, and the emerging humanoid opportunity.

Automation is advancing quickly, but this special report from Packaging World and OEM focuses less on what is newest than on what manufacturers realistically can put to work. Drawing on insights from Automate 2026, these articles explore how manufacturers can put robotics, AI, digital twins, and mobile automation to practical use while avoiding costly missteps. It also examines how companies can build stronger business cases for automation, prepare their operations for deployment, and evaluate emerging technologies such as physical AI and humanoid robots as they move closer to the plant floor.

Key takeaways:

• Start with the problem, not the technology. Define the operational need and how success will be measured.

• Test before you build. Simulation, digital twins, and virtual commissioning can uncover problems before installation.

• Put AI to practical use. AI can make automation more adaptable and easier to deploy, but it must deliver measurable value.

• Keep humanoids in perspective. Near-term adoption likely will favor practical tasks and configurations over fully humanlike robots.

Search for expert insights on designing recyclable packaging, navigating EPR regulations, and circular economy strategy. Filter by your role or topic to find session takeaways, videos, and strategies relevant to you.